The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-12-07

topics. ihe contents of the Army Medical
Museum consist OF $4,000 spec,meus. and
are unique In be completeness with which
both military surgery and the diseases OF
amDies are Illustrated. Their Destruction
would be an irreparabIe loss, not onIy 10 The
United States, but 10 the world. There are
died In The record and PENSION DIVISION
over 10000 bound volumes OF hospital re-
CORDS, together with great quantity
OF papers, embracing the original re.
cords OF the hospitals OF our armies
during ibe cvh war. Aside from their
historicai value, THESE records are daily
searched Tor evidence needed IN tue settle.
ment OF large numbers OF pension and OF her
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 q building which 4,
peculiarly exposed 10 The danger Of des,ruc.
ton BY fire. IL Is therefore earnestly recon.
\ mended that an appropriation be made for
I a new fire-proof building ado uste for the
present needs and reasonable future expaD.
sion OF these valuable collections. Such a
building should be absolutely re.proof: 70
expenditure for mere architectural display
is required. IL IL believed that a suitable
structure can be erected at a cost not TO ex-
&C ed S250.000.
commend 10 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 con-
duct did 80 much 10 bring that momeniOus
Conflict 10 close. The legislation Of the
Uuited States contains many prccedenfs for
the recognition OF distinguished military
merit, authorizing rank and emoluments TO
be conferred Tor eminent services TO the
country. An act OF Congress authorizing
The appointment OF a captain.geEeral Of the
Amy, with suitable provisions relating 10
compensation, retirement, and other de-
tails, would, in my judgment, he altogether
fitting and proper, and would be warmly
approved by the country.
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 S12 DIG $50 As leaving uuex-
pended at The close of the year 81, al ,6S2. %
OF the amount OF available appropriations.
The appropria ions for the present fiscal
year ending June 80, 1881, are $1,000
0Gl.45; and the total estimates for the next
fiscal year ending June so, 1882, are Sl5.-
953 75l 81 The amount drawn by warrant
from July /, 1880, to November |, 1880, is
IS 041 go 40.
The recommendation OF the Secretary OF
the Navy that provision be made for the
establishment OF some form OF civil govern.
meDt for the people OF Alaska is approved
At present there isno protection Of persons
or properly in that Territory, except such
| rs is afforded by the officers OF the United
States ship Jamestown. This vessel was
dispatched TO Sitka because OF the fear that
| without tbe immediate presence Of the ma
tiOnal authority, there was impending dan
ger o. anarchy. The steps taken TO restore
order bave been accepted in good faith by
, both white and Indian inhabltants, aud the
necessity for this method of restraint doe
| not, in my opinion, now exist. III, bow
ever, the jamestown should be withdrawn
leaving the people, as at present, without
the ordinary, judicial, and administrative
authority OF organized local government
: serious consequences might eDsue.
The laws provide only for the collection
; of revenue, the protection Of public pro
perty. and the trans mission OF the mails
r The problem Is TO supply a local rule for
, population so scattered and so peculiar In IL
) origin and condition. The natives are re
ported to ne teachable and self supporting
{ and, il properly instructed. doubtless wOult
: advance rapidly in ciyiIiZ ltiOn, and new
: factor OF prosperity would be added 10 tn
+ national life. l therefore recommend th
b. requisite legislation upon this subject.
/ The Secretary OF the Navy has taken step
2 towards the establishment, OF naval coalin
, stations at The I>tbmus OF Panama TO NEE
! The requirements OF our commercial rela
q lions with Central and South AmerIca
which are rapidly growing in importance
I Locations eminenly suitable, both rs re
| IN II n
a commerce, have been selected, one on the ca
!. size OF the Is,hmuS, at Chiriqui Lagoon, i
O the Caribbean sea, and the other on I'D
A Pacific coast at the Bay OF Goihio. In
= only safe harbors, sufficiently commOdlou'
,. on The lsthmus. are at these points, and IN
2 distance between them Is less than one bur
:. bred miles. The report Of the Secretary
@ the Navy concludes with valuable sugge;
r lions with respect 10 the building up OF on
8 merchant maripe service, which deserve Ia
d favorable consideration OF Congress.
r Tue report OF The Post master-General OK
Il bibits the continual growth and the big
v state OF efficiency of The postal service. tn
s operations Of no department OF the Cover
r ment, PERHAPS, represent with greater eS
= actpess the increase in the population an
: the business of the country. In 1860 tn
;. postal receipts were IS 5lS 0G7 40; in lSo
the receipts we've $50, 1854 "a. All I'd
j. inhabitants OF The country are directly an
}. personally interested in having proper ma
v facilities. and naturally watch the Pos
d Office very closely. This careful Oversight
d on the part Of the people has proved cor
c slant stimulus to Improvement Dur'nS ~
e past year there was an increase OF :, Id
J.. post-ofiicts. and the mail routes were eH
e tended 27.177 miles, making an ad'ltiohi
l. annual transportation OF lO,SO4 III uile'
/. The revenues Of the postal service ior lil
n ensuing wear are estimated at S3S S45,I ia II
: and the expenditures at S42 AS 932, leavIn
b a deficiency to be appropriated out OF III
Q Treasury Of $500, 757 80.
Y The Universal Postal Union has receive
ii the accession of almost all the Countries an
Il colonies OF the world maintaining organ
d lied postal services, and II Is connoebtl
expecied that all the other countries an
e colonies now outside the Union Will 500
Il mite Herewith, thus realizing the gran
# idea and aim OF the founders OF the Unio
d of forming, for purposes OF internatlon'
a mail communication, a single pos'ai terr
riiory embracing the world, With eomple'
IS uniformity OF postal charges, and cond
e lions of international exchange, for all a.
d criptions OF correspondence. To eDaD
y the United States 10 do its full share OF tn
:, great work additional legislation Is asked Q
l. the Postmaster General, to whose recon
!. mendations especial attention is called.
g The suggestion Of the Pos'ma>ter'Gei
u eral thai it would be wise to encourage D
e appropriate legislation the establishment
= American lines Of steamers by our ow
l. citizens 10 carry the mails between our ow
: ports and those Of Mexico. Central hme
r lea, South America, and OF trans-Paclt
countries, is commended to the serious col
q sideratiou OF Congress.