The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-16

EEroRr OF THE SECRETARY OF wAE.

EEPoRr OF THE SECRETARY OF wAk.
The strength of the army on the 3Oth OF Ssptem-
Der was As 0sl, which BY the first of January next
will be reduced. the expiration OF Term OF ser
vice alone, to about 43 900. All volunteer omcers
except one have been mustered ont OF service:
Ii may be reasonably expected that consider
able reduction of tbs, infantry OF the army may be
made within the next year without detriment to
the interests of the country. l recommend that
such reduction be authorized by Law to be made
gradually by ordin9ry casualties, by discharges of
Incompetent and Unworthy officers, and by con-
solicitation Of regiments. / also recommend that
the four regiments constituting the veteran re-
serve corps be dis landed officers unfit for active
service TO be retirfd, and all others to be trans
ferred to active regiments.
The report of thu quartermaster general shows
the total expenditure Of that department during
the fiscal year eLi6ing June 30. 1868, including
claims for stores taken for the use of the army
during the war toI be $50 SOC 38l So. Claims for
property taken during the war have been allowed
to the amount of t500,3l3 49, rejected 50 654. 430
80 and are still lpending to the amount of &c.
sos, Sol Is.
In The national cemeteries BIG. 1913 remains of
soldiers have been collected. of which us 1874 are
identified. The total cost has been about 81 ,700,-
600.
In the medical department the actual expend;-
lures during the fiscal year were ss42 l24 20, and
the balance on band was $l473,792 20, on the
Both of June last
The disbursem9nts for reconstruction purposes
have been 81 26lAl5 OF. There remains an avail
able balance Of $i67 ,626 49, which, it is believed,
will cover all future expenses.
During the YER claims for additional bounty
were allowed to lke number of "a, 992. involving
an expenditure soi s23 157 rs. Claims we're
rejected to the number of 407, and 100 l04 were
still unsettled st.tbe close Of the fiscal year Since
the date Of the act ASS. 1879 claims have been re-
ceived, 3s7, 09l Isd. 80 .403 rejected. and 1905
were yet unsettled at the date of the psymaster
generals report The total disbursements on
these claims hate been $S7, 764 TIA IS, to which
-. lIal Cd ku he mt.
ing officers Of tie treasury. bringing the aggre-
gate up to more than $54, 900 900.
Large reductions Of the officers and agents OF
the freedmen's bureau have been made during the
L up BY the III Of January next, except the
education and s,laims divisions. The abandoned
lands yet In possession of the bureau are mostly
worthless for cl tivation, and will be restored at
once or dropp,1 from the returns.
The actual current expenses Of the war de.
psrtment for the last fiscal year were $6s.74S..
094 IL, to which IL to be added the sum of
So 96l 406 43. cid war debts paid during the year,
masking the total expenditures Of the department
SIS, 704, SOL IA. The appropriations for the pres
ent fiscal year Iwere s35, 4O0557 AZ; the esti-
mated deficiencies for the current year are
sl3, 1915 900. Its estimated that the SUN Of $685.
1888 IS will be required for the expenses of this
department for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1870. There vii be q surplus of $50, 24e,22l IS
from uexpendei appropriations to be pail into
the treasury al the close Of the present fiscal
year.
REPORT OF TIE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
The number of vessels in squadron service, as
cruisers, storrships and returning s AZ. carrying
all guns reduction during tue year OF IL yes
sels carryiugs96 guns. The number of vessels of
all descriptions in use, as cruisers, storeships.
receiving ships, tugs. ETC., Is 81, carrying 693
guns q reduction from last year of % vessels,
carrying EOS guns. The total number of vessels
borne upon the navy list is 206, carrying l743
guns; reduction during the year of 81 vessels,
carrying l26 ,guss.
The following table indicates the character of
the vessels ::
No. Guns
Screw Issesl:S 8 So So
Sailing vesssls 81 "a
Total. ............:-:............:.9O 200 I7s
log june sun iSSs sIoS46s 7si 90
sosh septemSs<, ISL 6OOOO 90
Leaving subject to draft............: IS i657si 60
June 1865 = ....................... lss5ssO OF
ssolsOs9a g.
The resources fox the current fiscal year are as
Bsia CO in tbs slssl5 700 o.
Appropriations act June H. H3s63eO %
sss.7Ol7IOO7
surplus iun5. ........... LI2sssa s5
Leaving une.spended and available for the cur
rent hsca Gear. SS4 5IzOl3 II
The estimates for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1870 reach total Of $40 1898 Ala so.
The estimates now submitted are for $500 me q,
including apprentices. The number established