Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-12-05


by the same law, and hence il is earnestly hoped
that the additional appropriations asked for
both these objects for the present fiscal year.
as well as those for the next fiscal wear NAV be
appropriated without deduction.
The records of the Department show the
burial, in the national and other cemeteries, of
5a3 700 persons. In addition to those buried in
the q national cemeteries, there are very MANY
soldiers inferred i'll private cemeteries near
hospitals in which they died. Measures are in
rspd progress LOT carving out the law which
The sums appropriated by Congress at its last
session for the temporary relief of the poor
and destitute in the District OF Columbia were
expended in the purchase of food fuel and
clothing. These supplies were distributed only
on the recommendation of the Washington As
sociafi0n for the Improvement of the Condition
of the Poor, the National Freedmen's Relief As
ISOLATION, or the Industrial Home School, in
such quantities as were necessary to prevent ac-
tual suffering. Efforts were made TO induce
those seeking aid TO procure labor, and when Sc
cured at a distance they were ratOned to their
destination. In all cases the supplies were pur-
chased from the lowest bidder, or at the cheap
The number Of rations issued was Sc. 1913, at
cost Of s20,S0s. Coal, wood. and coke were
issued amounting to Si,450.52, and clothing
amounting to S3l9.36. The total sum disbursed
was .il SIS:Uu.Ss' leaving balance of 81. 922. IL
The number Of commissioned medical Off cers
ior DUTY with the troops on June 80, 1870, was
n. There were 2lI military posts besides many
detachments, each requiring tho services of 4
medical Oficer. Hence, contract surreons vere
employed, the number Of regular medIcal Oh
hcers being inadequate. Economy vouid ha
subserved by filling the vacancies in the medicsi
stan. and increased efficiency gained in this
branch OF the vice. The employment OF con.
tract surgeons must continue should the exist.
ing law be unrepealed.
Under the act Of July Is, 1870, the ofacers of
the army are paid by salaries instead Of by Al
lowances Of various kinds The system haa
teen in operation but few months, bat that
short experience shows the change to have been
awise enc. The complications and caicuia-
tions OF the old system are avoided and the pay
ments rendered simple, more prompt, and far
more satisfactory.
II Is believed that the monthly payment of
troops, instead Of bim0nthly, as ct present, win
be beneficial, and II found practicable, steps
will be taken to secure this end.
Constructions upon the permanent defenses
during the past fiscal year have been restricted
to their repair and preservation.
The battalion Of engineers stationed chiefly
at NiIleus Point, New York. has been made
the torpedo school Of the army, aud 10 engaged
in Investigations and experiments a to the best
method Of employing this auxiliary In harbor
defense.
The river and haTbOr surveys and works have
been conducted with energy; sstisfactory pro-
Rfees has been made, and active operations are
going on, except at some points on the Cult
coast, where the prevalence of yellow fever ha-
temporarily suspended held labor. n