Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-12-07

foreign commerce. The permanency Of the
important work on the South Pass Of the
Mississippi river seems now to be assured.
There has been no failure whAtever IN the
maintenance of the maximum channel during
the six months ended August 9, last. This
experiment has opened broad, deep highway
to the ocean. and is An Improvement, upon
the permanent success of which. c0ngratula-
tons NAV be exchanged among people abroad
and 1T home. and especially among the COM
mupities of the Mississippi valley. whose
CONNIE rcial exchanges float in an unobstruct-
ed channel safely to and from the sea-
A comprehensive improvement Of the
Mississippi and its tributaries is matter OF
transcendent importance. These great wa
ter-ways comprise a system of inland trans
portation spread like network over q large
portion of the United States, and navlgable
to the extent of many thousands of miles.
Producers and consumers alike have COM
mon interest in such unequalled facilities for
cheap transportation. Geographically. COM
mercially. and politically, they are the
strongest tie between the various sections OF
the country. These channels of communi-
cation and interchange are the property
of the nation. Its jurisdiction is para
mount over their waters. and the
plainest principles of public interest
require their intelligent and careful super
vision, with view to their protection. i'm
movement and the enhancement OF their
usefulness
The channel of the Columbia river, for
distance of about 100 miles from its mouth.
is obstructed by a succession of bars. which
occasion serious DELAYS in navigation and
heavy expense for lighterage and towage. A
depth of at least twenty feet at low tide should
be secured and maintained to meetthe require
ments of the extensive and growing inland
and ocean commerce il subserves. The most
urgent need. however. for this great water
way is permanent Improvement OF the
channel at the mouth of the river.
From Columbia river to San Francisco. a
distance of over 900 miles, there is no harbor
on our Pacific coast which can be approached
during stormy weather. An appropriation of
$50. 900 was made by the 45th Congress for
the commencement of breakwater and
harbor of refuge. to be located at some point
betw cen the Straits of Fuca and San Fran
cisco, at which the necessities Of commerce,
local and general. win be best accommodated.
The amount appropriated is thought to be
quite inadequate for the purpose intended.
The cost of the work. when finished. will be
very great. owing to the want of natural adj
vantages for site at any point on the coast
between the designated limits. and il has not
been thought to be advisable to undertake
the work without larger appropriation. I
commend the matter to the attention of Con-
gress.
Tine completion of the new building for
the war department is urgently needed, and
the estimates for continuing its construction
are especially recommended.
ARMY MEDICAL MUSEUM.
The collections of books, specimens. and
records constituting the Army Medical
Museum and Library are of National i'm
p0rtance. The library now contains about
fifty-one thousand five hundred 5l.50O)
volumes and fifty-seven thousand $4,000
pamphlets relating to medicine, surgery, and
allied topics. The contents of the Army
Medical Museum consist of twenty-five
thousand 22,0OO) specimens, and are unique
in the completeness with which both military
surgery and the diseases of armies are illus
trated. Their destruction would be an ire
parable loss. not only to the United States,
record and pension division. over sixteen
thousand 100000 bound volumes of hospital
records, together with a great quantity of
papers, embracing the original records of the
hospitals of our armies during the civil war.
Aside from their historical value, these
records are daily searched for evidence
needed in the settlement of large numbers of
pension and other claims, for the protection
of the government against attempted frauds,
as well as for the benefit of honest claimants.
These valuable collections are now in a
building which is peculiarly exposed to the
danger of destruction by fire. 1t is therefore
earnestly recommended that an appropriation
be made for a new fire-proof building,
adequate for the present needs and reason
able future expansion of these valuable col.
lections. Such building should be absolute
ly fre-prOof : no expenditure for mere
architectural display is required. 1t is be-
lieved that suitable structure can be erected
at cost not to exceed two hundred and fifty
thousand dollars, (s250,O00.)
A New OFFICE WANTED.
commend to the attention of Congress
the great services of the Commander in Chief
of our armies during the war for the Union,
whose wise. firm, and patriotic conduct did
SO mach to bring that momentous conflict to
a close. The Legislation of the United States
contains many precedents for the recognition
of distinguished military merit, authorizing
rank and emoluments to be conferred for
eminent services to the country. An act OF
Congress authorizing the appointment of a
Captain-General of the army, with suitable
provision relating to compensation, retire.
ment and other details. would, in my judg.
ment, be altogether fitting and proper, and
would be warmly approved by the country.
SECRETARY OF THE NArY's REPORT.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
exhibits the successful and satisfactory man.
agement of that department during the last
fiscal year. The total expenditures for the
year were Sl2 ,9l6. 639. As. leaving unexpend-
ed at the close of the year S2,l41, 6S223 OF
of the amount Of available appropriations
The appropriations for the present fiscal year
ending June 80. 1881, are SIS. O95 ,O6I As
and the total estimates for the next fiscal year
ending June 80, 1882. are Sl5.953, ISL 81.
The amount drawn by warrant from July l.
1880, to November |, 1880, is S5.O4l $40. As.
The recommendation of the Secretary of
the Navy, that provision be made for the es-
tablishment of some form of civil govern
ment for the people of Alaska. is approved
At present there is no protection of persons
or property in that territory, except such as
is afforded by the officers Of the United States
ship jamestown. This vessel was dispatched
to Sitka, because of the fear that, without the
immediate presence of the National authority,
there was impending danger of anarchy. The
| steps taken to restore order have been &C.
cepted in good faith by both white and Indian