Report of Lieut. Col. C. H. Tompkins, recommending appropriation of $100,000 for construction of buildings on the Fort Snelling military reservation. JANUARY 26, 1880.-Referred to Committee on Appropriations and ordered to be printed. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, January 22, 1880. The Secretary of War has the honor to transmit to the United States Senate, copy of communication from Lieut. Col. C. H. Tompkins, chief quartermaster Department of Dakota, dated the 12th instant, recommending an additional appropriation of $100,000 for the construction of buildings for use of Headquarters Department of Dakota on the Fort Snelling Military Reservation. The recommendation is approved by the commanding general of the department and the General of the Army, and also by this department, and an appropriation in accordance therewith is respectfully requested. ALEX. RAMSEY, Secretary of War. The PRESIDENT Of the United States Senate. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA, The Hon. SECRETARY OF WAR, Washington, D. C.: SIR: I have the honor to submit for your consideration the following remarks and estimate in connection with the construction of buildings for use of department headquarters on the military reservation at Fort Snelling, Minn.: By the act of Congress, approved March 3, 1879, the sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) was appropriated "for the purpose of constructing the necessary buildings," &c., for department headquarters at Fort Snelling, &c. In compliance with the wishes of the General of the Army, and following the designs of the War Department in this regard, so far as known and understood by me, plans and estimates of good, substantial, and commodious buildings were prepared by me, as follows: One building for headquarters' offices. One building for quarters for commanding general. Twelve buildings for quarters for officers on the staff of the department commander. These plans and estimates were approved by the department commander. The cost of erecting the fourteen buildings, exclusive of heating apparatus, will about consume the sum appropriated. To complete the work thus inaugurated, there will be required the following additional buildings and other work, at the following estimated cost: Buildings (probably fifteen) for quarters, mess-halls, kitchens, &c., for general service clerks, enlisted men, and civilian employés employed at department headquarters.... Stables for public and private animals, forage-house, wagon and harness rooms; also privies, wood-sheds, and other necessary outbuildings for all the quarters.. $50,000 00 15,000 00 For purchase and putting in proper heating apparatus in all the buildings, including offices. 15,000 00 For introducing and perfecting a complete system for supplying all the buildings with water.. 10,000 00 10,000 00 For the construction of fences about all the quarters, and other buildings; sidewalks throughout the place; for grading roads, walks, and for sewerage... 100, 000 00 Total required to complete the work............ When it is considered that, under the most favorable circumstances, the sum already appropriated will be consumed in putting up fourteen buildings for offices and quarters, the additional sum now asked for, for the purpose stated, is regarded a very close approximation to the actual cost of the work contemplated. The site selected for the headquarters' buildings, the associations and surroundings of the neighborhood, combine to invest Fort Snelling with a peculiar charm. This old post, the pride and strength of a generation of pioneers in this country, is midway between the cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, and is a central point of interest to residents of both as well as to all tourists in this country. Thousands of people visit the post and the falls of Minnehaha, Bridal Veil, and others in this immediate vicinity every year. I take the liberty of enlarging upon these facts, because I believe it will enhance the value of the many attractions of the place and heighten the interest felt by the people of Minnesota, if the establishment of department headquarters, within sight of the famous old post, is made permanent, handsome, and complete in all details of structures and landscape culture. To do this appropriately, more money will be needed, and I earnestly hope that the amount now asked for will be favorably recommended by the honorable Secretary of War. I further recommend that in case the money is appropriated by Congress, it will be made available at once, and that it shall be expended under the direction of the department commander. Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, CHAS. H. TOMPKINS, Deputy Quartermaster-General, United States Army, Approved. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA, Saint Paul, Minn., January 14, 1880. HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Washington, D. C., January 19, 1880. This paper is most respectfully submitted to the honorable Secretary of War, whose long residence in Saint Paul makes him more familiar with the importance and historic interest of old Fort Snelling. I regard it as a strategic point which should always be held by the United States, and am therefore disposed to recommend almost any outlay which will make it valuable as a permanent military site. I recommend that the honorable Secretary submit this report and estimate to the Minnesota delegation, that they may ask of Congress an appropriation of money as large as their better knowledge of the temper of Congress will stand. A hundred thousand dollars is a large sum, but it could well be expended at Fort Snelling. W. T. SHERMAN, General. Senate resolution, January 20, relative to the repair, &c., of the Pensacola nary-yard. JANUARY 26, 1880.-Referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs and ordered to be printed. Hon. WILLIAM A. WHEELER, NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 22, 1880. Vice-President of the United States: SIR: I have the honor to communicate to the Senate, in answer to its resolution of the 20th instant, that, in my judgment, the interests of the country and the naval service do require that the Pensacola navy-yard shall be put in a state of efficiency. Replying to the further inquiry contained in said resolution: "What sum of money is necessary for the purpose" of putting the yard in a state of efficiency "and what improvements are necessary to be made there in order to restore said yard to its former condition,” I beg leave to submit the following estimates, amounting to $590,192: |
