Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-12-09


/ VIII b. surplus of $50 2tp,92lSt from uneX-
Irnied appropriations 10 be paid mo the
TIsasury at the close of the present. nscaI year.
/ The General OF tn army submits, with tue
following letter, the reports of Commanders of
/ Milrary Divisions, DePaItments,a lana Military
/ districts
STATES. WAsgIssroN, ID. G., Nov. 81, ISIS
+ Gen j. H. ScIofefd, S5c--.fry 81 Hdr-SlT l
have he honor 70 suh .u.- the reports of Di-
vision strict ana Department Commanders
Tor tho ra.t year. These reports give full ac-
count ~ the operations ana services of the
( Army tor the year, and refer to them for de-
7-orId earnestly renew my recommeuda-
III, Of last year that the control of the InaIans
| hs transferred TO the War Department. l call
I -pecial attention TO the recommendation of
/ DER. sherman ON this subject. The recon-
I u ndafiOn has my earnest approval. II is IN =
necessary that the arguments in favor CT the
transfer should ne Te-stated; the necessity fJr
the transfer becomes stronger and more evident
While the Indian war continues L do not
deem any general legislation for the reduction
Of the Army advisable. The troops on the
plains are all needed; troops are still needed in
the Southern, States, ana further reduction can
be made IN the way already used aud now in
operation where il Is safe, namely: nv allow
Ing com panIes 10 dimiH ish by discharges. with
out being strengthened by recruits, and by
stopping appointments of second lieutenants.
If IT should be deemed advisable, the Vete-
TN Reserve regiments might be discontInu ed
nv absorption and retirement of officers and
discharge of men without detriment 20 the SER
vice.
Very respectfully, your obedlent servant.
". :. GRANT, General.
Secretary SChofield says that during the
short TIM. he has had charge OF the War d.
par'ment il has been his constant aim 10 sys-
teInaticaIly reduce the expenses of the Depart
msut; 20 improve the discipline and efficiency
of the Army TO prosecute such experiments IN
engineering and ordnance, and TO continue
such instruction of the officers and men as are
UFl nf mil ft4~
Enlistment; 10 give all needful strength 20 The
forces operating against hostile Indians; and 10
give the greatest practical assistance 10 the
civil authorities in the States where recently
organized governments need military support
The discipline OF the Army is believ led TO be
better tnan a. any previous time since the late
war The efficient action of courts martial,
with prompt Executive confirmation, has re-
sulted in dismissal from the service OF q con-
siderable number OF unworthy officers and ex-
smrlary punishment of others.
The = Cretary refers 10 the report of Lien
tenant General Sherman for an instructive
statement of facts and valuable suggestions ia
respect 10 Indisn affairs. The Secretary be-
ieyes it manifest that an important change
should he made in our mode of dealing with
The Indians. While good faith and sound
policy alike require Us to strictly observe ex-
isung treaties SO long as the Indians naIntain
like good faith. when any tribe has violated its
treaty il should no longer be regarded as a
nat Oh with which 10 treat, but as a dependent,
HEcirilized people, to be cared for, ted when
necessary, and goeernsd.
II Is manifest that any branch CT the public
service cannot be efficiently and economically
managed by tlrO Departments of the Govern
menJ. If the Interior department can alone
manage Indian affairs, and thus save the large
expense of the Army in the Indian country,
very well. But if the Army must be kept tt ere
for The protection OF railroads and frontier set
Elements. why not require the Amy officers to
act rs Indian agents. and thus save all the
expense Of the civilians SO employed. Be.
sIuts, an army officer has his military reputa-
tion and commission AT stake, and is SUBJECT to
trial by court martial for any misconduct in
Office. Thus is afforded the strongest possible
security the Government can have for an
honest administration of Indian affairs by offi-
GERS of the Army; while the civilian agent.
being only temporary officer of the Govern
ment, and practically exempt from trial and
punishment for misconduct gives the Govern
ment the least possible security for honest ad-
minIstration.
For the sake of economy to the Government.
for the sake of more efficient protection 70 the
frontier settlements, and for The sake of Justice
TO The Indians, he recommends that the man.
segment of Indian affairs be restored 10 the
War department, with authority to make reg
ulatiJEs tor their government and for their
protection against lavless W hItes
The relation Of the Army TO the civil author
itles IN the States recently restored to civil gov
eminent has been a subject Of no little per-
plexity. While those governments Were yet
impeTfectly organized, lacking TO n great ex-
tent the sympathy and support of the most
or militia forces, without arms and without
money, and without even authority OF law to
organize ard arm - militia, the military gov
erEment, which the people had learned by
more than three years experience TO rely uDon
Tor protection of life and property, was sud
denly Withdrawn. Immef "a ~ followed an
exciting political canvass, having for its alter
native results, in popular expectation, the
support or overthrow of those newly formed
The result has been unusual
10 lawlessness and crime, and COM
paratIve iEelficiency Of civil government IN
those States.
Tie only laws of Cons -ess providing for the
emPloym enL OF the military force of the United
States IN support of the government of any
State, were passed in the infancy of the Re-
public, with a Jealous care to avoid undue ia
reference by the National Government III
State affairs, and no. designed for such a con-
clifton OF society as now exists in the Southern
States.
Hence, with an earnest desire to do all in the
power of the Executive TO preserve peace in
decide AZ the polls the exciting questions H.
bic 10 attain these objects only in an imperfect
of the situation. there is abundant
reason to be satisfied with the comparative
good order that has prevailed throughout the
The instructions issued from this De-
rartment, with the Presidents sanction, for the
OF Departmen Mt Commander. and
with those Commanders and
Governors of States, are submitted with this
report for ihe infol mation OF Congress.