Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-12-18

tenen of the highest scientific requirements, combined
with much experience, there no longer be any rea-
for making appropriations TO improve haFhors or
rivers in absence of full and accurate information
from those equally competent and dsinteresed.
concnr, therefore, entirely in the remak made By pre-
aecessor in 1880 that the wlr .stem may he brought
into deserved dlsrcpute unless Examinations are direct
ed and reports had previous to any appropriations for
such purposes.
The reports oflhc Paymaser General and the act
ing Surgeon. Cd cra, show the operations Of those
deparments, anSshc sc,ivity that prevails in them.
The report OF ahc .Commssary General Of Subsst-
exhibits several gratifying results. The expense
for subsistence will be considerably diminished the
suing year. There has been great promptness in the
rendering Of their accounts by the discussing officers,
aud in the settlement Of those OF the army and special
contractors; and not has been lost during the
year through the regular dsbursing officers Of the
department, or its temporary agents.
The report Of the Commissary olPurchases contains
the usual statements Of the quantity Of materials OF
clothing hand and procured during the year the
quantity made up, and the balance remaining: the
quantity OF each of the different articles made up al
the clothing establishment and issued, and the Guantl-
~ hand; and the quantity of clothing, and OF camp
and garrison equpage 9n hand and purchased during
the year, the quantity issued and the balance on hand
There also statement of the comparative cost the
different articles of clothing, Ne, fur the last three
years. from which it appears there has been reduction
in the cost of nearly all Of them during the last year.
tie city Of Washington in conflict with the provision Of
the net of May, 1890, ny which the Quarermas,ers de-
pnrtment is charged with the duty of receiving from
the purchasing department. and distributing to the army
all clothing and camp ard garrison equipage, il has
been discontinued, and lis business will hereafter
b. conducted under the supervision Of the Quarter
master General. BY tins arrangement n more eiecual
accountability is secured
From the report of the Commissioner of Pensions, il
will be that during the last gear, the number Of
pensioners on the rolls, has diminished more than
third, the greatest proportion having occurred among
the nralids, the revolutionary pensioners under the
act of 1918, and the widows OF certain persons who
served in the of Tic Revolution under the act of
1893 The whole number, Of all descriptions, on the
rolls at the date OF the last annual report forty
four thousand three hrndted and ninety-four. The
whole number at present is twen,y-sx thousand five
hundred and thirty one, Of whom two thousand six
hundred and FIVE invsds three thousand nine hun
cred and ff,yeght receive pensions under the act of
1878 four hundred and ,hrysx under the act Of 1928;
sixteen thousand six hundred aud eghty-two under
the act OF 1852 thousand three hundred and three
rrder The act of 1885, aud five hundred and forty seven
ndows under the &C, of 1o3S.
The vexaous operation Of the act of 1889, which
luires pensions, unclaimed for eight months, to be
uned 10 the Treasury, has heretofore been presented
10 ibc consideration ofConsress and cannot but con.
CT. n ths recommendation for its re?ss!