The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-05

regularity and promptness. The present number OF
paymasters Isl Is nfty-sx The number authorized by
the law OF Jgly 49, 1885, s sixty, but no vacancies
A necessity for the employment of number
seemingly out OF proportion to the force 20 be paid
is created BY the existence of so many military
posts and the distribution of regiments over so
great an extent OF country while the reduction OF
| the army diminishes the humber OF men to be paid,
the number Of stations continually increases
this connection it may be remarked that this distri-
button OF posts over vest breadths OF country &C
counts for that preponderance Of the star corps in
our army which is observed in comparison with the
1870 the officers OF the army are paid by salaries in
stead OF by allowances OF various kinds. The sys-
tenn has been In operation but few months, but
that shert experience shows the change to have
been wise one.
tenn are avoided, and the payments rendered simple,
more prompt and far more satisfactory. 1t is be-
Of six months as at present, will be beneficial aud
II found practicable steps will be taken to secure
lenses during the past fiscal year have been restricted
TO their repair and preservation
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT..
The Engineer Department has been actively en-
gagged upon plans for the modification OF the de-
lenses to meet the requirements OF the latest i'm
prOvements In modern warfare.
Many of the plans for the defense OF our most
Important harbors have been approved by me, and
the estimates submitted by the Chief OF Engineers
for carrying them out are presented for the cOnsde
Such appropriations as were made at the last ses-
sion of Congress for the partial execution OF similar
plans for the harbors OF Portland, Boston, New
York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco are being
applied to these defenses. Upon the recommends
ton OF the Chief OF Engineers, three able aud expe
rienced officers OF engineers were sent to Europe to
examine into the manner aud extent OF the employ
ment Of iron in seacoast defenses. They have been
sfrs av with ovsTy great courtesy By all foreign
them for making their examination, and
the surveys and Responsiveness required in con-
nectiOn with the permanent seacOast defenses for
other military purposes, and for the movement OF
troops in the territory occupied or frequented by
nd linn hau unH dnn att ntsOn
ecommunicaton with the Paciac coast has
and the publication OF its results will form highly
valuable contribution to science to the varied
surveys and reconn0ssances progressing ac-
lively in the field and office, and essential to the
operations of the Government. Provision should be
made for them by annual appropriation.
ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT.
In the ordnance Department the estimates are far
in advance Of any submitted since the close OF the
war, for the reason that no appropriation for ord
nance or ordnance stores was made or requested
for the present year. The unexpended balances
were placed beyond the reach OF the Ordnance
Bureau and much embarrassment was caused in
procuring supplies for filling acquisitions and in
! At Springfield Armory few thousand arms are
being manu-. actured for competitive trial In the
| nance in connection with the report OF the board
| lately convened at ST. Louis
| TIE ARsBNALs.
| There are many arsenals throughout the country
| which, in my opinion, should be sold, and the pro-
ceeds used, If necessary, for the erection OF the
principal arsenal for the Atlantic coast. Not only
economy, but many interests connected with the
subject make 1t advisable to dispose OF those which
be used as above indicated. ROCK Island Arsenal,
Illinois, has been established as the principal arsenal
ton, minutely made, Of the improvements at that
point in september last gave me great satisfaction,
and such as are demanded by the growing power of
the country and Of the West.
|
arsenals, without any appropriation OF funds from
loading is decided upon and placed in the lnds
of the troops, then should be called In from all the
States arms OF the old style which have heretofore
been issued, and new issue made TO them OF those
Of the improved pattern.
! THE STORM REPORTS.
The duties imposed upon the War Department by
the enactment Of Congressl providing for the OBJ
servation and report OF storms by telegraph and
signal, have been discharged under the manage
number OF obst rvers carefully chosen have been
enlisted instructed in their duties, examined to
their qualifications provided with instruments, and
sent TO the stations which have, on consultation
with the best authorities, been selected. Arrange
ments have been made with the Western Union the
International and the Northwestern Telegraph
companies for the transmission OF reports, and an
organization OF telegraph lines effected by which
is hoped unusual system and rapidity will be at
tanned.
menced November l, 1870, and the widest publicity
is given them through the press by bulletins, and
as Time permits the necessary arrangements viii be
extended by maps and other methods. This work
is without precedent in this country and it is ne
cessary that each step should be well studied and
devised before execution.
Assistance from scientific men and institutions
here and in Europe has been generously accorded
ana chambers OF commerce. boards OF trade, and
commercial associations throughout the United
States have given encouraging cooperation. Mill
tary organization and control secure a promptnes
and thOroughness in the execution OF this work per
haps not otherwise attanable It is asked that pro
per provision be made by Congress for service in
| yolving such extended responsibilities.
The experience OF the coming year VIII anorC
some practical tests OF the benefts which are ex
Its execution thus far has been very satisfactory
and il is confidently believed that the systemati
Congress wiz result In benefits to commerce whicl
VIII amply justify an appropriation adequate TO IL
accomplishment.
THE MILITARY COMMANDS.
Since my last report no changes have been mad
in commanders OF the military divisions, exceptin
that OF the Pacific, caused by the death OF Major
General George ii. Thomas, which occurred In NJ
last In this decease the army has sustained
severe loss. he was soldier OF solid attalnments
heroic Deeds His life is part OF the history OF Ia
army The Military Division OF the Pacific Is no.
commanded by Major-General John NJ. schoneld.
THE WORK OF THE ARMY.
The operations OF the army during the year hav
been chiefly confined 70 the assistance OF the civ
authorities in carrying out the laws and IN the suE
preston OF Indian depredations. l would agai
ask consideration to the mattor OF incurslons {
: | Indians from the south side OF the Rio Grand'
: which seems to constitute a systematic bus
nees, only to be broken up by co-operf
ton on the part OF the Mexican authorities. Pn
suit by stops troops at the border while our cit
zens can pass into Mexico and witness the sale
: their animals recently stolen. A system OF gener
regulations for the administration OF the anars
July 15 1870 Is being prepared and Will be presente
10 Congress at its coming session. tits work whtc
requires such labor and studious care that Is nope