The Portland daily press., 1870-12-06

The annual report of the q. 8. Secretary of
War;. VIM. w. Belknap, has been received,
covering thirteen octave pages in large type
The latest returns show the regular army to be
composed Of 2488 officers and s4,870 enlisted
men, 81, 178 of whom compose the ten regi-
ments of cavalry, the five regiments OF artil-
lery and the twenty-five regiments Of infantry,
the remaining 1892 being engineer troops, re-
cruiting detachmeuts and others not enumer-
ated among troops of the line. These men are
stationed in forty-two States and territories at
2O3 organized military posts. The posts are 30
scattered that the cost of transportation is
great, although its reduction the past year was
100000.
The actual expenditures of the year were
1872, 902 ,343, a reduction below thesex pendtures
OF the previous year of 81, SOB. For the
there is required, as follows:-For fortifica-
tons and other works of defence, - So 6O9, 200;
river and harbor improvements, $8,842, 45O;
public buildings and grounds and Washington
Agueduct; total, 81, $50, 1879.
The transportation of clerks except by au-
thority has been prohibited, and other re-
trenchments made. Surplus draught animals
OF the quartermaster's department, to the
number of 6S45, were sold, producing $248, 1874 !;
useless depots were broken up, and reduc-
ton of 1885 in the number of civil employees
was made, thereby saving in salaries STA 72
per annum. Further reduction in the number
OF employees ard of draught animals will b.
made. In New York and Brooklyn rents were
DeluR palu IOr DulluluXS IOr army uses at Inc
rate of $50, 800 per annum. To lessen this ex-
penditure, a large Storehouse, at moderate
cost, has been erected on Governors Island
New York harbor, which, with one building in
New York, saves the sum of $31 800 annually.
By the LIST of July, 1871, the army will be
enlisted men, the number prescribed by the act
of July 10, 1870, and in the meantime recruit
ing will be continued only on scale rendered
necessary by casualties.
On Tvvlu H. q
vice was 2,746, increased by the appointment
during the year of 6 post chaplains and IS
| graduates of West Point, making in all 2.3lO.
The number of officers in service in November
| 16, 1870, was 2, 481, reduction of 329. On No
vember 30, the number of supernumerary off
GERS those in excess of the standard prescribe d
| by law, was I'll.
| By the act of July Is, 1870, providing for the
reduction of the army, the extent of the retired
list was increased. Preparations for carrying
it out are being rapidly made.
As many Of the officers who will, of necessi
ty, be mustered out by operation of law, have
| done faithful service in the rebellion, and in
Mexico, it would be wise to extend until July
/, 1871, the time in which the President may
at his discretion, discharge, with one year,
pay and allowance, officers who may apply
therefor, and also, to direct that vacancies oc.
curing prior to that date in the regiments O
cavalry, artillery, and infantry might be filled
by snch supernumerary officers, with due re
|
i. pernumerary after July 1, 1871, to be mustered
out with one years pay.
During the year IS West Points Cadets hav,
graduated and become second lieutenants in tn,
army; II have been discharged resigned,
deserted and died. New cadets 60 hav
been admitted, and the corps at present mum
bers 226 members, in classes. AS to tn
corps of engineers, there should be repeal 0
the law prohibiting appointments and promo
tions in the corps, and thus restore to the ca
diets an incentive to exertion.
The debts contracted by the railway compa
MES at the close of the war by the purchase o
the material of the military railroads remain
ing unpaid June 30, 1870, was JOG, prin
cipally from southwe,teia companies. 'fhei
payments during the year amounted to $3.50
! S2C, but owing to the amount of interest, til
, REDUCTION was only $58128.
|, The records of the department show the bul
ia a, IN the national and other cemeteries, {
ooo'o0o persons. In addition to those buried
.ne 70 national cemeteries, there are very man
hospitals