The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-12-14


their stations on distant frontiers, but few recruits
can be enlisted in the regiments. To this cause,
together with the recent augmentation of portion
of the rank and file, may be ascribed the increase
in the number of officers and of the expenses for
recruiting the past and current year, when com
pared with the state of the service prior to the late
war with Mexico.
According to the present laws. the number of en-
listed men OF the line is III SIS. The term being
five years, fifth of this number, suppesing tho
army to be full, q 3oi) goes out every year by
piration of enlistment. Add the loss by death, dis
charges for disability and desertions, the number
will be increased TO about third, (3.S50,) which
is required to be annually supplied by new re-
cruts.
The records show that, of the 1889 persons
who have offered themselves the current year at
the recruiting stations only SSi were accepted by
the recruiting officers, as ableb bodied, and other
wise ft for the service. The rejection Of so large
a proportion of applicants (moTe than five-sxths)
evinees due observance of the law and regulations
the part of the recruiting officers; and In no ono
particular, perhaps, is greater attention bestowed
upon the observance OF either than in respect to the
Enlistment Of minors N Amending sa the pro
ton ii, BY the new law approved Septem-
Der q, 1850, section s. directing the discharge OF
minors, the public interest seems to have been
overlooked in the omission to prescribe some ado
quate penalty or punishment in cases of minors.
Especially those of nineteen or twenty years Of
age,) who SO frequently impose themselves upon
the recruiting officer by falsely affirming them
selves to be ;weniyone years Of age and frequent
ly more. In many instances, il Is impossible to
know whether the minor tells his true age or not;
and although in ali cases where minors affirm that
they have neither parent, master, nor guardian,
has made diigent inquiry, and that the affir-
nations of the recruit appear to be true, vet
all these precautions fail in many cases TO gu.ri
against the fraudulent enlistment Of minors, whoes
discharge is subsequently demanded under the Law.
The records show that during the year ending Sep
TENDER 30, 1850, no less than 6f applicants have
been refused at the rendezvous account of their
eng minors. Under the present circumstances Of
the service, therefore, II ~ very clear that unless
the new law above cited be so amended as to pro-
vide penalty for this description Of frauds upon
the public, the loss, expense, and other injurious
results TO The service, now 20 seriously felt, will
continue without remedy.
it'll a view TO the more advantageous m anage-
ment OF the recruiting service, touching its fiscal
concerns and the speedy examination OF accounts.
II has been found necessary 10 recur to the former
practice of making military scrutiny and exam
inaiion Of all recruiting accounts Ia this Office be-
fore their ransmittal TO the proper accounting Off
Gers OF the Treasury Department; The "cireuar"
of June q, 1850, issued by authority Of the Secre-
tary Of War, requires that such accounts be sent
direct TO the Adjutant General OF the army, since
which date they have been analysed and carefully
examined, and feel well assured that much bene-
fit will result from such inspection here, especially
IN etecting better economy, ne, as well az in
greatly expedting the settlement of accounts.
IL will readily be perceived that, TO conduct this
important branch Of the service in the best manner,
requires all the time and attention Of an experienced
officer Of the general staff The details Of this di-
vision ofthe duties OF the Adjuiant Generals Office
have for years past been specially assigned to the
20 Nor Assistant Adjuant General here on duty.
The returns, correspondence, and records pertain
ing to the recruiting business, give employment
generally 10 three clerks.
Respectfully submitted,
X. JoSEs, Adiu ant General.
To Major Gen. WINFIELD ScoTr,
Commanding IN Chief 81 the Army Of the
United States, Washington.