The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1882-12-07


construction, repair and preservation
certain works on rivers and harb0fs
which became law near the close OF you
last session, prompt me 10 express the hop
that no similar measure viii be deemet
necessary during the present session or con
gress. Indeed, such measures would nov
be open TO serious objection
in addition to that which was urged upon
your attention by the secretory OF war, that
ated for the various items specified in that
act remains unexpended. OF the new works
which IL authorized expenses have been in
Cured upon Two only, for whlch
the total appropriation was $2lO,-
900. The present available balance
is disclosed by the following table: Amount
of appropriations by Act of August, 1882,
Act of June 10, 1882, 100000; amount OF
appropriation for payments to j. B. Eads,
$30i, 900; unexpended balance OF former
appropriations, $4 73S, ,263; total, 1923, 79l ,l3S,
less amount drawn from treasury between
July /, 1882 and November 30 1889, $685.
l94' total, $17734,9if. 1t is apparent by
this exhibit that So far as
to which the act of August 2, 1882, relates,
there can be no need of further appropria-
tions until after the close Of the present
session. If, however, any action should
seem to be necessary in respect to particu-
lar objects, it will be entirely an act to pro
vide for those objects by appropriate legls-
lalion. 1t is probable, for example, that
delay until the assembling OF the
nSaton nsSS congress ss tho e ssspp msds pidR Ter
improvements might be attended
with serious consequences. Ifsuch should
appear to be the case a just bill relating to
that subject would command my approval.
This leads me to offer suggestion, which
| trust will commend itself to the wisdom
of congress. 1t Is, not advisable
that grants OF constderaDle sums
dent schemes of internal improvement
should be made the subject ofSeparate and
distinct legislative anactment.,. 1t Will
scarcely be gaipsaid, even by those who
favor the most liberal expenditures tor sqch
purposes as are sought to be accomplishing
by what is commonly called the river ana
harbor bill, that the practice OF grouping IN
such bill appropriations for great diver
stR sitRHcr Oh in o'tfsiii' their rature, in the
locality in which they are concerned, or in
both, as one which is much to be depre-
ciated. unless it is redeemable. 1t inevlta-
bly tends to secure the success OF the Dill
as o whole, though many of the items, II sepa-
rately considered. could scarcely failot reJec-
tion By the adoption OF the course nave
recommended every member OF congress,
and when every opportunity should arise
for giving his influence and vote for merlto-
rious appropriations, would be enabled SO
to do without being called upon to sanction
others undeserving his approval. so, also,
would the executive be afforded thereby
full opportunity to exercise his constitu-
tional prerogative OF opposing Whatever
appropriations seemeu 10 BIN objectiona-
bic. without impeullIug the success OF
others which, cOulmcnded themselves to his
Judgment. IL luiy ne lnSe5 IN oppesi-
ton to these snggesiobs thatA the
number of works ut idtetnal I'M
proyement wn,gh srei Justly
entitled to governmental ald $3.50 great as
to render impraG'icln.' separa'e lpproprla-
ton bills therefor, ur even tct Buch COM
paratiyely limited unrtr ~ nN'la disposi-
ton of large sums oi motley bis obJec-
ton nav be well-tounded, anS, Whcther IL
be or not, the advantages which would be
likely to ensue from the adoption of the
course have recommended may perhaps
be more eifectually attained by an
other, which | respectfully submit to
congress as an alternative proposition.
It is provided py the constitutions of four
teen of our states that the executive may
disapprove any item or items of bill ap-
money, whereupon the part OF
the bill approved shall become law and the
part disapproved shall not become law I'M
less repassed according to the provisions
prescribed Tor the passage OF bills over the
veto OF the executive. The states
wherein some such provision as the
foregoing is o part of the fupdamental
law are Alabama, California, Colorado,
Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Minnesota
Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia.
/ submit to your careful consideration the
question whether the amendment OF the
Federal constitution in the particular indi-
Gated would not afford the best remedy for
what is oftea grave embarrassment, both
to members of congress, to the executive
and sometimes q serious public mischief.
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
The report OF the secretary OF the navy
states the movements OF the various squad
rons during the year, in home and foreign
waters, where our officers and seamen,
with such chips as we posses have continued
to illustrate the high character and excel
lent discipline OF the naval organization.
On the % of December, 1881, Information
was received that the exploring steamer
Jeanette had been crushed and aban-
doned in the Arctic ocean. The ofhcers and
crew, after journey over the ice, embarked
IN three boats Tor the coast OF Siberia. one
of the parties, under the command of Chief
Engineer George W, Melville, reached the
land and, falling in with natives was saved.
Another, under Lieutenant Commander
DeLong, landed in a barren region, near
the mouth of the Lena river: Al
ter six weeks had elapsed all
but two of the number had
died from fatigue and starvation.
No tidinrs have been received from the par
ties in the third boat under the command
of Lieutenant Chipp, but long and mutt
leaves little doubt that all
It's members persisted at sea. As slight
tribute to their heroism | give in this COM
munication the names OF gallant men who
sacrificed their lives in this expedition:
Commander George W. De
Long. Surgeon James Amber, Jerome J.
Collins, Hans Halmer, Erickson. Heinrich,
II. Kaache, George w. Boyd, Walter Lee,
Adolph Dressler, Carl A. Gortz,
Nelson IversoD, the cook, Sam Andeohein,
Alexy. The officer and men in the missing
boat were Lieutenant Chas. w. Chipp,
William Dunbar, Alfred Sweet
man. Walter Spartell, Alkert G. kuenpe,
Edwin star. Henry ID. Warren and Peter L.
johnson, Lieut.. Giles, b. Harber and
Master William II. Scbentzekeseh are now
bringing home he remains Of Lieut.. De
Long and his cOmrads, in pursuance of the
direction of congress. TIE Rodgers, htted
out for the relief of the Jeannette,in in accord
ance with the sct Of congress, of March %,
1881 sailed from San Francisco June 10th
under the command Of Lieutenant Robert
NJ. Berry. on November 10Th she was
accidentally destroyed by fire while in win
ter quarters in st. Lawrence bay. but the
officers aud crew succeeded in escaping 10
the shore Lieutenant Berry and one Of
bis officers. after making a search Tor The
Jeanuefte along the coast Of Siberia, fell in
with Chief Engineer Melville's party and
returned home by way Of Europe. The
other officers and the crew Of the Rodgers
we're brought from St. Lawrence bay BY the
Whaling stsamer North Sta-. Master
Charles =. Putnam, who had been placed
IN charge of a depot Of supplies 81 Cape
Verde returning 20 his post from 81.
Lawrence bay across the ice n
binding storm was carried out 20 sea and
lost, Notwithstanding all Efforts 70 rescue
him.