National Republican., 1882-12-05


to ]. b. EGds ...... ..... ..t....e... 8Oi, 900
prlations Abs
La. . 2s,7oi, ,iSs
Less amount drawn from Treasury be-
tween July J. 1889, and November 80,
1882. ........................ 6O561oi
|'.. 1T,794Oil
II is apparent by this exhibit that SO far as cou
Germs most of the items to which the act Of Au-
gust 1889, relates, there can be no need of further
appropriations until after tue close OF the present
session. II, however. any action should seem 10
be, necessary in RESPECT TO particular objects, it
ects by appropriate legislation. 1t possible for
example, that delay until the assembling of the
next Congress 10 make additional provision Tor
the Mississippi River Improvements might be at
tended with serious consequences. IL such should
appear to be the case just bill relating to that
subject would command my approval.
SUGGESTION THAT suCr BILE SHOULD DE DIVIDED
INTO PARTS.
This leads me to offer a suggestion, which
trust Will commend itself to the wisdom of Con-
gress. Is it not advisable that grants of consld-
cradle sums of money for div,ise and independent
schemes OF internal Improvement should be made
the subjects OF separate aud distinct legislative
enHCtments? IL will scarcely be gainsUid, even
by those who favor the most liberal expenditures
for such purposes as &c sought to be accomplished
by whht Is commonly called the river and harbUr
BILL that the practice of grouping In such biz
appropriations Tor o great DIVERSITY Oi OBJECTS
widely separated, either in their nature or In the
locality with which they ure concerned, or iii
| both, is one which is much to be deprecated, un-
less IL Is irremediuble. II inevitably tends to
secure the SUCCESS Of the bill as whole, though
many of the it.ns II separately considered. could
SCARCELY fail Oi rejection. by the adoption of the
course | have Recommended every me nOer of
Congress- whenever opportunity shouid arise for
giving his influence and vote for meritorious up.
preparations, would Uc enabled so to DO without
being called upon 10 sanction others uadeserving
his approval. 50 also would g Executive be al
fOrded thereby full opportunity to eNCcse his
constitutional ureTOuQtlye of ODDOSi0E whatever
appropriations seemed to him objectionable, with
out inperiing the success of others whicn COM
mendcd themselves TO his Judgment
1t may be urged III opposition 10 these sugges-
tions that the number OF works OF internal i'm
provement which are justly entitled to govern
mental aid is so great as TO render impracticable
separate appropriation bills therefor, or even for
such comparatively limited number rs make dis
position OF large sums of money. This objection
may be well founded, and, whether IL be or not,
the advantages which would he likely to ensue
from the adoption of the course have recon.
mended may perhaps be more eitectually attained
by another, which respectfully submit to Con-
gress us an alternative proposition.
OR THAT CONSTITUTION BE AMENDED.
1t is provided by the constitutions of fourteen of
our States that the EX,scutiyc may disapprove any
item or items of a bill Gpproptiating money !;
whereupon the part OF the Bill approved shall be
law, aud the part disapproyed shall fail 10 become
law, unless repassed according To the provisions
prescribed for the passage OF bills over the veto OF
The Executive The States wherein some such
provision US the foregoing is part of the funda-
mental law are Alabama, CdniOfnla, COLORADO,
Florida, Georgia. Louisiana, Minnesota. Missouri,
Nebraska, New Jersey, New York PennSyl lvania,
Texas and West Virginia l commend to your
careful consideration tue question whether All
amendment of the Federal Constitution in the
particular indicated would not afford the best
remedy for what is often u grave embarrassment
both to members of Congress and to the Execu-
tive, and is sometlmesn serious public mischief.
Navy. s.....
The report of the Secretary of the Navy states
the movements of the various squadrons during
officers and spamen, with such ships as we possess,
have continued 10 illustrate the high chardc er
aud excellent discipline OF the naval organization.
..- THE JEANNErTE EXPEDITION.
On the 2lst of December, 1881, information was
received that tile exploring steamer Jeanette
had been crushed and abandoned in the Arctic
Ocean, The officers and crew, after a journey
over the Ice embarked in three boats for tue coast
mand OF Chief Engineer George w. Melville.
reached the land, ana, falling IN with the natives
was saved. Another, under, Lieutenant Com
mander Dc LOug, landed i'll barren region near
the mouth of the Lena River. After six weeks
had elapsed all but TWO of the number had died
from fatigue and starvation. No tidngs have
been received from the party in the third boat,
under the command OF Lieutenant Chipp, but
u long and fruitess Investigation leayes little
| doubt that all It's members persisted at sea.
Asa Slight tribute TO- their hcroism l give
| In this communication the names of the gallant
who sacrificed their lives on this expedition
Lieutenant Commander George "; De Long, sur
geOn James NJ. Amber, jerome j. Collins, Hans
Halmer Erichsen, Heinrich H. Kaacke, George w.
Boyd, Walter Lee, Adolph Dre ser Carl A. Gortz,
Nelse Iyerson, the cook All SAM and the Indian
Alexy. The officers and men in the missing boat
were Lieut.. Charles W. Chipp, commanding; Will
lam Dunbar Alfred Sweetman, Waiter Snarvel
Albert @, Kuchne Edward Star, Henry ID. Warren
and Peter H. Johnson.
ScheutZe now bringing home the remains of
Lieutenant De Long and his comrades, in pursu-
ance OF the directions OF Congress.
The Rodgers fitted out for the reliefof the jean
nette, in accordance with the act of Congress of
March3 3, 1881, sailed from San francisco June l6,
| under the command of Lieut.. Robert NJ. Berry.
| on November 80 she was accidentally destroyed
| by fire while in winter quarters in St. Lawrence
Bay, but the officers and crew succeeded IN cscap-
ing 10 the shore. Lieut.. Berry and one OF his oi-
GERS, after making search Tor the Jeannette along
the coast OF Siberia, fell i'll with Chief Engineer
| Melyilles party and returned home by way of
Europe. Tho other officers and crew of the
| Rodgers were brought from ST. Lawrence Bay by
| the whaling steamer North Star. Master Charles
| +. Putnam, who had been PLACED i'll charge of II
depot of supplies at Cape serdze, returning his
| post from 81. Lawrence Bay acro's the ice in II
binding snow storm, was carried out TO sea and
| lost, Notwithstanding ali efforts TO rescue him.
PRESENT NAVAL FoRcE-NEEDs OF THE NAVY
1t appears by the Secre,ary's report that the
| available naval force OF the United STATES con-
siss OF thirty seven cruisers, fourteen single tur-
reed moniIois, built during the rebellion, large
| number of smooth bore guns and ParIott rifles
| and eighty seven Iihed cannon.
The cruising vessels should be gradually re-
placed by iron or steel ships the monitors by
|
| high power rihed guns. ,.. ...l
The reconstruction OF our Navy, which was rec
ommended in my last message was begun by
| Congress authorizing in its recent act the con-
struction OF two large unarmored steel vessels oi
| the character recommended by the late Naval Ad
yisory Board, and subject 10 the final approval o.
| a new advisory board TO be organized as provided
| by that act. call your atteDtion TO the recon-
| mendation of the Secretary ana the board, that
authority be given to construct tWoJnlore cruiser
of smaller dimensions, and onG fleet Dispatch ves-
| sci, and that appropriations boz maAe for high
| power rifled cannon for the torpedoiseryice and
| for other harbor deienses. ~ eHr
| Pending the consideration by Congress Of the
| policy to be hereafter adopted in conducting the
| eight large nayy-yards and their expensive es-
| adjustments, the Secretary advocates the rGduc-
ion Of expenditures therefor to the lowest posi-
| BILE amounts.
For the purpose of aflording the officers and
seamen OF the Navy opportunities 1or exercise
PIRATE control and direction, the Secretary ad-
vises that the Light House Service and Coast Sur
| vey be transferred as now organized, from the
Treasury to the Navy Department. and he also
| suggests for the reasons which he assigns that q
similar transfer may wisely be made OF the cruis-
| ing revenue vessels,
1 COMMERCIAL MARINE.
The Secretary forcibly depicts the intimate con-
nection and interdependence OF the Navy and the
| commercial marine, and invites attention TO the
continued decadence of the latter and the CORE.
spending transfer of our growing commerce u
! foreign bottoms
| MERCHANT MARINE
| This subject is one Of tho utmost Importance K
the national welfare. Methods of reyiving Amerl
can shipbuilding and of restoring the United
States flag IN the ocean carrying trade should re.
| ceive the immediate attention of Congress. We
| haye mechanical kill and abundant material FOL
the manufacture Of modern iron steamships In
fair competition with our commercial rivals. Oul
disadvantage in building ships is the greater cos
Of labor, aud in sailing them, higher taxes ano
greater interest capital, while the ocean high.
| NyuNs are already mollOpOlized hy our formidable