The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-06
w a r y
Annual Report of Secretary Belknap-
The Operations of the Year
The Present Status of the
Department-The Ex-
penditures.

The following the most material portions OF
the first annual report of General William NJ Belk-
nap, Secretary of War; which was sent to Congress
at noon to-day
90, 1S69-After the consolidation made in accord
ance with the act OF March 3, 1862 there remained
on November l. 500 unattached officers. All of these
have been assigned to duty excepting 1856, who are
awaiting orders" 1t seems equitable and Just,
should reduction Oe made, that officers awaiting
orders by their own request and preferrng that to
active duty should have less claim for retention than
those who applied for assignment OF this class
there are 139 otncers Some Of them, however, had
special reasons for asking to be placed on the
awaiting orders" list which the department recog-
niZed, and which should be regarded.
1t is certainly fair that the consequences OF reduc-
ton OF officers should fall proporonately cavalry,
artillery, and infantry and, should Congress act in
the matter 1t is proper that this consideration should
not be overlooked In reference to the question OF
reduction concur with the report in recommending
that authority be given to retire greater number of
officers for cause than is allowed by law per
cent OF the officers OF the whole army
,,o me present maximum OF the army is 52,2St en-
vice, the number of men is 84,s22. BY the plan OF
organization submitted in the report there would be
~, 600 men. Twothrds for actual service would be
49, $50 men, below which it would not be prudent to
60, as the necessities OF the country and the great
extent of territory to be protect ed will require every
man of that number.
Bureau of Military Justice.
The Judge Advocate General repOrts the number
registered to be ID 49A; number OF special reports
ade 1852. This bureau in addition TO its regular
dutes has been charged with the duty OF systematic
cally arranging and indeXing the important state
papers belonging TO the offices Of the late Colonel L.
e. Turner, Judge advocate, and Brigadier-Gener l..
c. Baker provost marshal, and the work is steadily
progressing. Lists are also being prepared Of the
fines and forieitures imposed by military courts, and
Of cases OF remission OF the same.
QuarteTmaster's Department..
The expenses Ct the Quartermaster's Department
during the fiscal year ending June 80, 1869, Were
S2LS6S 4sA4%s I reduction ct on OF fourteen @ ana half
In February, 1869, the number OF civilians hired by
this department exceeded ten thousand, which has
since been reduced to four thousand. Five hundred
line officers have done duty in the Quartermasters
Department. in addition to the officers Of that esa-
bishment, eighty-four in number.
The report states that the clerical force Of this
office has been reduced so low by late legislation
to seriously reard the public business and to provide
force is necessary.
building capable OF accommodating all the bu-
reaus OF the War Department, fre-proof and secure
Is much needed Military records OF great value are
exposed to destruction, and are 80 scattered as 10
impede and delay the public business The monthly
rental Of buildings In Washington and lots occupied
by buildings owned by the United States amounted
to $i264I9, being yearly rental of S5O,9542S.
The railway companies, TO which the military rail-
road material OF the Quartermaster's Department
was sold on credit at the end OF the war, incurred
this amount to SO, 100000, about one-half of which
has been paid; but some railroads being in default
and showing no disposition to meet their obligations,
suit has been lately ordered TO be brought against
them.
But few vessels have been owned by this depart
The railroads OF the country, having declined to
adhere TO the war rates OF transportation have been
paia during the fiscal year upon their general taTls
conference at convention of general freight
agents. There have been paid for water transporta-
ton during the year 81 ,424 222S2 and for railroad
transportation s2253, 30430. or this amount
1888, 1861 was paid to the Pacific
half retained in the Treasury 70 meet the interest on
the bonds guaranteed by the United States. During
the year 96 600 persons 9T00 animals and 81 600 tons
OF StOrea have baan 30 600
sons, 1000 animals and tons OF stores by rail-
road $1,000 tons OF stores have been moved by con-
tractors for wagon transportation. The Pacific Rail-
road has occupied some OF the principal routes OF
former wagon transportation, and has saved the