The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-01-09
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.

The Secretary in his report gives brief but compre
hensve view of the strength efficiency, and disposition Of
the army, in all its departments The reforms which he
urges and the recommendations which he makes for the
radical Improvement Of this important branch Of the pub
lie service, viii be very generally approved.
The authorized strength of the army is put down at
1857 officers and men, and the actual strength at
During the last year 1886 mea enlisted The
uates by DEATHS discharges and assertions during the
same period amount to $500 men.
The four additional regiments authorized by the last
Congress have been recruited and organized One Of the
regiments has been reinforce the command
gagged in the suppression of Indian hosttcs in Oregon
Mention is made of Indian hoses in the departments
Of Texas New Mexico, the Pacific and the Upper Misss
sippithe Secretary referring accompanying documents
for full details Of the operations of the army in these quar-
The unusual extent Of these operations has
riy caused large expenditures which must exceed the APP
preparations made for the ordinary wants of the military
service
| A reform in the organization of the army is again
warmly urged The Secretary is of the opinion that the
efficiency would be greatly increased by aretiring from
tive service those officers who longer capable Of full
filling its requirements; but their profession affords lit
tie opportunity for attention to personal interests and
vices indicates that it fixed in connexion with the
idea of permanent tenure it would scarcely be
just abruptly discharge them without any provision for
the future
The Secretary recommends that the late increase in the
pay Of the rank and file be extended all enlisted
He agrees with the Qusrermasier General in recommend
ing the addition OF five military storekeepers his de
partment Legislation is again asked to authorize the de-
partment to sell useless military sites.
The Military Asylum does fulfil the anticipations Of
its projectors there is strange backwardness the
part of those who entitled to- hut who have failed to
avail themselves Of its benefits At present there only
eighty inmates of the Asylum The average Of
maintaining each inmate win be found to exceed $500
expense great Indicate the proprety Of seeking
proper mode Of ehecting reduction. The branch
which established in 1852 at East Pascsgoua Msss-
spp has been already discontinued and the
deemed desirable with regard to that Harrodsburgh
Kentucky.
The seacoast defenccs have during the past year been
steadily pressed towards completion the extent OF the
means granted by Congress for that purpose
Mention is made Of the style Of arms about 20 be
manufactured in the national srmories The manufacture
Of smooth-bored arms has been discontinued
Under the appropriation made at the last session. ed-
lions Of cavalry and light infantry tactics have been pro-
cured for the militia and in Of distribution
The appropriations for river and harbor improvements
have with few exceptions been exhausted or reduced so
low as not to be effective for future operations.
The necessity Of constructing railroad to the Pacific IL
dwelt upon considerable length The report closes will,
reference to the progress made the public works in this
city, and to the necessity Of making early sppropria
ton for the successful prosecution Of the Washington
aqueduet