The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-09
NATIONAL DEPARTMENTS.
CONTINUED FROM FIFTH PAGE.

the latter win be mustered out prior TO the date OF
In the report OF the Paymaser General the organi-
cation OF the pay department is discussed; the ad
vantages OF the present system over the Old system
OF reaimental paymasters pointed out, the causes
why payments cannot be made monthly, or even
the impracticabity OF reducing the present author
tied number OF paymasters sixty, even with large
reduction OF the army, demonstrated.
Attention is asked 20 the statement that while
under the Old SYSTEM during the war of 1912, the
dcfalcations and expenses amounted To over seven
per cent. on the amount dlsbursed, under
fhe present organization and during the late war
the total losses dealcations ana expenses amounted
sums disbursed. During the Mexican war; under
the present system. not dollar lost by defalca-
n0n.
The disbursements for reconstruction purposes
have been 81, gel ,4l5 OF. There remains an available
balance Of sa67, 626 which, It Is believed win cover
all future expenses; but the specific amount for
each military district is fixed by law authority il
asked for the transfer OF amounts from districts
requiring them TO others insuiiciently supplied.
During the year claims for additional bounty were
allowed to the number OF 1872 involving an cx.
penditure OF s2s,64e,l57 Claims were rejected
still unsettled at the close OF the fiscal year.
Since the date of the act 4S5,le9 claims have
been received, 3S7,09i paid, 32,403 REGRETTED aud
10. 706 yet unsettled at the date OF The Pay
master Generals report. The total disbursements
must be added the claims settled by The accounting
officers on the Treasury, bringing the aggregate up
TO more than 100000 me expense o. se,tns
per cent on tue amount disOuisea or ABOUT the
average cost OF seventy cents per caini II ~ re-
commended that the Iih OF Mafch next ne nxcu as
the date beyond winch no more claims will be re-
ceived, and that all claims then remaining unsettled
be transferred 40 the Secohd AuuiIof o tue treasury
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT..
All officers tle Corps OF Engineers except mr.
teen are employed various special ana detached
duties-eDgaged upon the permanent national de-
and harbors, explorations, command and anstruc-
OF engineer troops and In charge OF the public
buildings grounds and works in Inc District OF
Work on the permanent defences has been con-
tnued on smaller scale ana reduced approprla-
lions are asked to continue such work, az il nos
liable to future modification.
Experiments with IRON targets shields and ether
structures designed To resist heavy ordnance, have
been and are being continued.
Three engineer depots have been established, Mt
each OF which engineer trains and materials have
been collected and Will be held ready for service
Estimates amounting TO $4,000 for erecting and
continuing the erection OF engineer barracks are
Extensive surveys for the Improvement OF rivers
and harbors have been and are being made, and the
preparation OF the necessary plans is being cou-
Quoted with great energy. Tne report OF the Chief
OF Engineers, with accomplishments, viii supply the
Information essential TO legislative action.
The late appropriation OF 1900 900 has been dis
trIbuted, as designed by law, among those works
where most required sucn modification o. the COR
tract system prescribed for these works, expert
ence has shown TO be advisable, Is again earnestly
recommended.
trict OF Columbia have been wei applied and with
6at isfactorY results.
GeogTapnlcal ana geological explorations and Srlr-
veys in the far West have been continued during
year. These surveys, amt the military resbnnos-
sances made by engineer officers accompanying
troops, afford valuable Information for military and
other national purposes
The several appropriations required for the vari-
GUS purposes OF the engineer department are
heartily recommended 10 favorable consideration.
~ ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT.
W The expenditures Of the Ordnance Department
during the last fiscal year, for all purposes inclusive
OF the payment of war claims q little more
than Sd, 900 00o-ess than three-lhs OF tue expeu-
There arc twenty military arsenas In all, in
Guiding the national armory at Springfield. The
work done at them by the hired mechanics and en-
listed men OF the ordnance corps, under the diIec-
ton OF skilled officers OF the corps, has been eco
nonically and satisfactorily performed.
Measures have been taken Tor the construction OF
the Rock Island bridge. the sale OF damaged and
eerviceaDle ordnance stores and the sale OF st. Louis
and Liberty arsenals all or which were provided for
by law.
Rome, New York, and Vergennes Vermont, anu the
lands at Harpers Ferry is again recommended, and
the establishment Of an arsenal at Omaha other
suitable point again advocated.
Highly favorable reports or the breech loading con
verified Springfield musket have been received from
those portions OF the army where IL has been dstrib
uted. Further supplies are now in preparation.
few smooth bore and rne guns OF heavy caibre
ance. When the most suitable kinds have been de-
terrnned, large number OF guns for Notifications
will have 10 be made, and authority to make them
as fast as can be done is asked.
The necessity OF draining the extensive marsh
lands reclaimed by enlargement OF the Washington
arsenal grounds set forth In the report or the CHIEF
YREKDMEx's BUREAU
Large reductions OF the officers and agents or the
bureau have been made during the year. ana r.
Engagements In progress to cosejt up by the LIST
oil January next except the educauenal aud claims
divisions
The abandoned lands yet in possession OF the
bureau mostly worthless for cultivation and will
be restored at once or dropped FROM the returns.
Claims or coored soldiers TO the number of nearly
1000 have been settled through the bureau without
cost To the claimants, and llttle more than 500
remain unsettled. Treasury certificates and checks
for settlement or claims OF coored soldiers and
rines have been collected by the bureau the
Der OF 1000 and 10 the value Of nearly $35g00,oO0
Transportation has been furnished 10 d,4ls per-
sons-ess tnan one-thld OF The number transported
hast year.
over 10000 persons have received medical treat
ment during the year; twenty hospitals have
been closed, and twenty lone yet remain; also six
orphan asylums, which are in charge OF the bureau.
Enorts have been made TO turn over 10 the local
civil authorizes the charge OF the sick. the lnrln
aud the insane and in instances with SUCCESS.
The sanitary condition OF the freed people has, in
general, improved.
Subsistence supplies have been issued TO o daily
average Of 1000 persons, the number OF raions Ia
sued during the year being 2S02, s7s. For part Of
these supplies bens have been taken upon the crops
The schools have in the main progressed, though
In some places seriously injured by local opposition
and want or means Private associations have con-
tinued their liberal support, and tea hers
have laoored faithfully, though In many
cases beset with difficulties The number az
day and night schools Is 1881, with 1929 seachers
and 10, 327 pupils. The aggregate number Of sun
day and day schools OF all kinds 1926 with al $40
scholars. The amount expended for support %
schools during the year seA2,52a THIS does not
Include the expenditures by benevolent societies,
tirnated at 100000, and by freedmen estimated at
f36O,000. Fifteen normal schools aud colleges have
been chartered or Incorporated ia different parts OF
The country.
The total expenditures OF the bureau during the
FISCAL year were 1891 0sl. The balance hand
t56ll,067.
Tie Commissioner recommends appropriations 10
continue hospitals AZ New Orleans NIcksDurg, Hk,h.
suono and Washington.
To dispose OF the school buildings 4, is proposed
NO transfer them 10 The corporations aud trustees
Twn0 nov nave them In charge, guarantees 10 be
taken that they shaH not be diverted IRON their
proper uses. grant Of public lands In aid OF lie
kchoos OF the District OF Columbia OF all grades a
recommended.
For an account OF the operations OF the bnrcau
In The seycra states reference y mace 70 t1e report
OF the Commissioner.
MILITARY ACADEMY
The corps OF cadets, on June 1, 1905, Numbered
2l0 IpeInDers. under the care aud Instruction
~ n. nd