Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-12-16
NO. 81.

/ SeIGN OF the important work on the South Pass
| OF the MlssisSlpplSeeuS now to be assured There
| has been no failure whatever in the maintenance
/ OF the maximum channel during the six menths
ended August last. This experiment has OMEN
ed broad deep highway to the ocean and is an
Improvement, upon the permanent sgseceSs of
| which congratulations may be exchanged among
! people abroad and at home, and especially among
! the communities of the Mississippi valley whose
commercial exchanges float in an Unobstrlcted
channel safelyto and from the sea.
| A comprehensive Improvement Of the MisSissip-
pl and its tributaries is matter of tranSeendent
Importance. These great waterways comprise
system of inland transportation spread like net
work overa large portion of the United States
and nav1gable to the extent of many thousands of
miles. Producers and consumers alike have a COM
mon interest in such unequaled facilities for cheap
! transportation. Geographically commercially and
politically they the strongest tie between the
various sections of the country. These channels
of communication and Interchange are the proper
| ty of the nation. Its jurisdiction is paramount
over their waters and the plainest PRINCIPLES of
public interest require their Intelligent and careful
supervision, with a view to their protection i'm
provement, and the enhancement of their useful
ness. ' -.|..r
The channel of the Columbia river fer dis
| tance of about one hundred miles from its mouth
Is obstructed by succession of bars, which oeca
sion serious delays in navigation, and heavy ex-
penSe for hghterage and towagc. A depth of at
least twenty feet at low tide should be secured and
maintained, TO meet the requirements of the eX-
tensiye and growing inland and ocean commerce it
subserves. The most urgent need however, for
this great waterway is permanent improve
lnent Of the channel at the mouth of the river.
From Columbia river to San Francisco, q dis
tance of over 900 miles, there is no harborn our
Pacific coast, which can be approached during
stormy weather. An appropriation OF Sl50 Geo
was made by the forty-ffth congress for. the COM
mencement of breakwater and h1trbor Of refuge,
to be located at point between the Straits of
Euca and San Francisco, at which the necessities
of commerce. local and general will be best accom-
lnodated. The amount appropriated is thought to
be quite inadequate for the purpose intended. The
cost OF the work, when finished, will be verygreat
owing to the want of natural advantages for site
ut any point on the coast between the designated
limits, and it has not been thought to be advisable
to undertake the work without larger appropri-
alton. L commend the matter to the attention of
congress.
The completion of the new building for the war
department Is urgently needed and the estimates
for continuing its construction are especially re-
commended.
THE ARMY MEDICAL MUSEUM. -#
The collections of books specimens and records
constituting the Army Medical Museti.L and IL
brary are of national Importance. The library
now contains about 81 800 volumes and 81 900
pamphlets relating to medicine surgery and al
lied topics. The contents of the Army Medical
Museum consist of % 900 specimens and are
unique in the completeness with which both mill
tary surgery and the diseases of armies are illus
rated. Their destructioltHould be an irreparable
loss, not only to the United States, but to the
world. There flied in the record and pension
division over 10000 bound volumes of hospital
records, together with 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 daily
needed in the settlement of large number of pen
sion and other claims, for the protection of the
government against attempted frauds, as well
for the benefit of honest claimants. These valu-
able collections are now in building which Is pc
culiarly exposed to the danger of destruction by
fire. 1t is therefore earnestly recommended that
an appropriation be made for fire-proof build
ing, adequate for the present needs and reasonable
future expansion of these valuable collections.
Such building should be absolutely fre-proof:
no expenditure for mere architectural display is
required. 1t Is believed that a suitable structure
can be erected at a cost not to exceed $3.50 000
PLACE FOR GRANT. .sslrs.t7f
commend to the attention of congress the
great services of the commander in-chief Of our
armies during the for the Union whose wise,
firm, and patriotic conduct did so much to,bring
that momentOus conflict to a close. The legisla-
ton of the United States contains many preced-
ents Tor 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 pro
visions relating to compensation, retirement
and other details, would, in my judgment,
be altogether fitting and proper, and would be
warmly approved by the country.
THE NAVY.
The report of the secretary of the navy exhibits
the successful and satisfactory management Of
that department during the last fiscal year. The
total expenditures for the year were Sl29l6,-
639.45, having unexpended atthe close of the year
81, III 1928 Of the amount of available appro-
prations. The appropriations for the present
fiscal year ending June 30, 1881, are $l5,995.-
0Gl.45; and the total estimates for the next fiscal
year ending June 80, 1882, are Sl5953 751.6I.
The amount drawn by warrant from July l. 1880
to November l, 1880, is 81, ,04l, ,570.45. ...
The recommendation of the secretary Of the
navy, that provisions be made for the establish
ment of some form Of civil government for the
people OF Alaska, Is approved. At the present
there is protection Of persons or property III
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 dan
ger of anarchy. The steps taken to restore order
have been accepted in good faith by both white
and Indian inhabitants, and the necessity for this
method of restraint does not, IN my opinion, now
exist. IT, however, the jamestown should be
withdrawn, leaving the people at present, with
out the ordinary, judicial and administrative
authority of organized local government. serious
consequences might ensue. "
The laws provide only for the collection of rev
enue, the protection of public property, and the
transnissions of the mails. The problem is To
supply local rule for population so scattered
and so peculiar in its origin and condition. The
natives are reported to be teachable and sef-sup-
porting, and if properly instructed, doubtless
would advance rapidly in civilization, and new
factor Of prosperity would be added to the nation
al life. /, therefore, recommend the requisite
legislation upon this subject.
The secretary Of the navy has taken steps to-
wards the establishment Of naval coalng-statOns
at the isthmus Of Panama, to meet the require
ments Of our commercial relations with central
and south America, which are rapidly growing in
Importance. Locations eminently suitable both
as regards ournaval purposes and the uses of
merce, have been selected. ON the east side of
the isthmus, at Chiriqui Lagoon, in the Carib-
bean sea, and the other on the Pacific coast at
the bay of Golfto. The only safe harbors suffi-
GENTLY cOmmOdiOus ON the istbmus, are at these
points and the distance between them Is less than
one hundred miles. The report Of the secretary
of the navy concludes with valuable suggestions
with respect to the building up of our merchant
marine service, which deserve the favorable con
sideration of congress.
THE POSTAL SERVICE. 80
The report of the postmaster general exhibits
the continual growth and the high state of eff
cheney Of the postal service. The operations of
no department Of the government, perhaps, rep
resent with greater exactness the increase in the
population and the business Ofthe country. In
1860 the postal receipts were s., ,5l8 061.40; in
1880 the receipts were $50, ,315, 1884. All the
inhabitants OF the country are directly and per-
sonally interested in having proper mail facilities
and naturally watch the post Office very closely.
This careful oversight on the part Of the people
has proved constant stimulus TO improvement.
During the past year there was an increase of 2
134 post Offices and the mail routes were extended
q III miles making an additional annual trans
portation of 10 804 l91 miles. The revenues Of