Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-03

constabulary force for the citizens O,
Cuba, Porto Rico. and the Philippines who
nave had experience IN and can speak the
language Of the islands.
secretary Alger thinks that the govern
| Ip'ht VIII be greatly taxed 20 supply food
Ior tho destitute, especially In Cuba. The
eIiort should be made, he thinks. 10 Give
the people work, instead OF allowing them
10 dweil In idleness, living upon charity.
a CUBAN RAILROAD.
lie says: Would it not be wise econo-
| my Tor the government Of the Unitcd
states TO construct a substantial railroad.
practically the whole longih OF the Is-
iand OF Cuba, with branch roads TO The
ieadlnS cities on the coast? Such road
would Of course, cost a large sum. Ter
maps S1o,O0.ooO; but IL would give employ
ineht 20 the people Of Cuba. teach them
haoits Of industry, be an inducemant for
them 10 cultivate their farms, and thus
furnish supplies for the laborers and for
market when the road is oonstrucred.
rms in my Judgment, is absolutely es-
scnUai TO the paciilcation and develop
ment Of thGt great island. II will bring
It's minerals, lumber. and agricultural pro-
oucts 10 market, and open up commune
| cation with all parts of the island, with
inc least possible delay. The road would
DC a good property and when It has
served its purpose for the government.
should be sold for its cost If such an i'm
proVement Is not made, the government
VIII no doubt eXpend fully that amount
IN charity"
Inc Secretary says that even II this
road Is 20 be built there is a necessity
Tor a large appropriation TO relieve the
destitute. The question of sanitation of
the cities should also have immediate
attention, and portion OF the taxes col
lected in the island should be expended
FOR that work
some recommendations that occur in the
early portion of the report are that pro-
vision be made for a statue of General
Grant; that Chief-Clerk Tweedale be made
lieutenant-colonel; that provision be
made for q second assistant secretary Of
war, and that an appropriation be made
Tor the construction Of the Lake Union
Washington ship canal.
FORMIDABLE FIGURES.
The ste otement of expenditures and es-
Inmates presents some formidable figures
The expenditures for the fiscal year ended
June 30th last were $62.534,7SA. and the
estimates for the next fiscal year begin
ming the lst Of July, 1899. are $l952 .377
OF this great estimate, the sum of ;5j,-
$4,000 Is charged to pay OFF the army
The estimates Of extraordinary appropria-
tons required for the six months ending
June 80. 1899. are SG0,l77.5S9, and the es-
tmates for that period. combined with
those for the next fiscal year, reach a
total Of S2j5.4279l7.
At this point the Secretary includes in
his report the reports OF General Miles
and all the other generals who partici-
pated in active operations. He then takes
up the telegraphic and other correspond
ence relating 20 the war, and that matter
occupies more than a fourth Of the Sec
retary's whole report. As already stated.
the dispatches are allowed to tell the
story of the war without comment as
far as possible. although in instances the
Secretary prefaces them with short notes
explanatory OF tho reasons which led TO
their transmission.
PURCHASE OF VESSELS.
In connection with mis- discussion of
affairs in the Quartermaster's Depart
ment. the Secretary prints an elaborate
table showing in detail each ship pur-
chased, or chartered. for transport or
supply work; the name OF the individual
or company owning the same the period
Of time covered by the charters the rate
Of charter per day, and the tonnage. From
this il appears that by far the most
expensive vessel in proportion to capacity
was the Shinnecock, owned by the Mon
tauk Steamboat Company, which was
hired at the rate OF 81 900 per day. The
big ocean liners of the Pacific Mail Steam
ship Company--the Newport, Peru. and
Rio de JaneirO-were chartered at the
same rate. but they were OF three times
tho capacity. TIC most expensive of the
vessels purchased We're what were known
as the Baker boats, of the MinnewaslIa
class, which were purchased at $4,000
each.