River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-12-10

Inc WOrk OF the blEudl 5tESlG6 mas
been prosecuted during the last year,
with results of increasing benefit to tue
country The field of instruction has been
enlarged with a view of adding to Its useful-
ness. The number Of stations in operation
June 80, 1855, was 4S9. Teiegraphic reports
are received daily from 100 stations. Reports
are also received from IS Canadian stations,
375 volunteer observers, 50 army surgeons ut
military posts, and 8 foreign stations. The
EXPENSE of service during the fiscal year,
after deducting receipts from military tele-
graph lines. was S197,592.9I In view OF the
fact referred to by the secretary OF war that
work of this service is ordinarily of Il scten-
tihc nature, and the further fact that it Is as
stunning larger proportions constantly and be-
coming more and moro unsuited TO the nXed
rules which must govern the army, am III
Clined to agree with him in the opinion thdt
it should be separately established.
nc this is done the scope and extent Of its
operations should, as nearly as possible, be
done as prescribed by law aud always capa-
bic of exact aScerts'nmGnt.
The MILITARY ACADEMY
of West Point is reported being in high
state of efficiency and well equipped for the
satisfactory accomplishment of the purposes
OF It's maintenance. The fact that the class
which graduates next year is an unusually
large one has constrained me to decline 10
make appointments TO second lieutenancleS I'D
the army from civil life, SO that such vacancies
as exist in these places may be reserved for
such graduates, and yet it is net possible that
there viii be enough vacancies to provide pu-
sftious for them all when they leave the mill
tary school Under the prevailing law and
usage they are not assigned to duty and never
nctiveiy enter the military service. Il is sug-
gee ed that the law on this subject be changed
so that such of these young men as are
not at once assigned TO duty after graduating
may be
RETAINED AS SECOND LIEUTFNANTs
in tho army. If they desire il, subject 10 as
Il nj vg{pn nnnnpTnuIfV under
proper rules as to priority Of selef The
expenditures on accounted the military acad-
emy for the last fiscal year, exclusively of
the sum taken tor its purposes IN the appro-
uriatious ter the support Of the army, were
1920, 7l2.01. The act approved March ), 1850,
designed to compensate officers and enlisted
men for the loss of private property, while IN
the service of the United States, is so indeti-
mite ia It's terms and apparently admits so
many claims the adjustment of which could
not have been contemplated, that if ii is to re-
main on the statute book it needs amend
ment.
There should be a general law Of congress
prohibiting the construction of
BRIDGES OVER NAvIGABLE WATERS
iu such maner as to obstruct navigation, with
pro isions tor preventing the same. 1t
seems that under existing statutes the gov
crumeut cannot intervene to prevent such a
construction when entered upon without ITS
consent. although when such consent is asked
ana granted upon condition, the authority 10
insist upon such condition is clear. Thus it
is represented that while tue officers of the
government are with great care guarding
AGAINST the Instructions Of navigation by
bridge across
THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AT ST. PAUL,
"A large pier for a bridge has been built just
below this place, directly in the nayIgable
channel Of the river. If such things are 10
BE permitted, strong argument is presented
against the appropriation of large sums of
money to improve the navigation Of this and
Otuer important highways OF commerce