The New York herald., 1871-12-04


Is q total loss 10 the government
The greater number OF those for whom this costly
years, aud ia this connection recommend tina, the
law regarding eRistments be amended, and that
age 6y his own ni oaiS. Is not shown 10 be over
twenty-one years-the oath, us now. 10 DO taken as
Experience shows that the age OF enlistment for
music boys can win advantage be reduced. and y
@ ne at pl class OF i ne
made at the age OF Twelve years.
i WAS fond ~ 70 s = a pps IN tms 70,
OF regulations Tor the administration Of the affairs
OF the army, as contemplated by tne act or July Is,
1870. board OF competent and experienced oni
GERS has been for some months diligently engaged
the compilation OF code of regtla IONS and the
work Is rapidly approaching completion. Hf.ssl.tli
DIES ERrIoNS
during The past few months have largely increased
The reports recen ed at the department indicate
that the reduction OF the pay OF soldiers from sIy-
teen TO thirteen dollars per month has contributed
cerned who enlisted prior 10 July 1871, the date
Of reduction.
MILITARY PRISONS
The board OF officers directed to investigate the
subject OF military prisons and prison discipline IN
the British army visited, last summer, the only
quebec, and through the courtesy OF the Inspector
Colonel II. \. Williams, were enabled to witness IT'S
practical workings. The board were very favor
ably impressed with tue good results obtained from
this system, which has now peen fifteen years IN
operation In the British service, and recommend
adoption in our own. invite The attention OF Con-
grcss 10 tnis SUBJECT believing 1t to ne OF great
>
greatly impaired by the inadequate and imperfect
means OF punishment now practsed. BY having
but little, II any, additional means would he re.
qnired 10 support them after they were put In oper
alton. lhe report OF the Board Is full OF interest
and Will hereafter be transmitted to Congress.
THE RETIRED LIST f9l.sref
OF the army Is now limited to 800 The endeayor
has been to equaze the selecuons for tnat list from
both the higher aud lower grades OF the Oic en-
sd to an extent ys ny ocens a o nGs De
rank, and consequently greater compensation.
THE CEMETERY IN MEXICO.
BY the act approved september as, $780, appro.
pratlon was maue OF $l00 0Ju Tor purchasing, wall
Ing and ditcning piece OF land near the city OF
Mexico. Ior cemetery for such OF the officers and
soldiers OF our army as Tell IN battle or died and
around that city during the Mexican war; ana for
the interment OF American citizens who have died
there.
In December, 1869, . report was made by the vice
Consul OF the United States at Tile city OF Mexico 10
the effect that III consequence OF neglect and the
want OF means for repairs, many depredattons we're
being committed and that the cemetery presented
a laInentable appearance or drapidation. An ap-
peal was made 70 this department. for funds to The
amount OF apout one Thousand one hundred and
restore the cemetery 10 condition credltabe TO the
united States government The War Department was
fortunately able to meet the temporary demand
the employnent OF superintendent al o salary OF
$50 per month instead Of so, the rate heretofore
paid, and which is deemed insufficient. BY the act
and by the act Of Auguk 81 is5a $1,000 for the pnr
President, and these sums were all dlsbursed by the
Department OF State 1t Is recommended that
now administered by the War Department. q special
act be passed placing tnls cemetery upon the same ,
poInted superintendent anu that SUFFICIENT por. |
ton OF the appropriations FOR natonal cemeteries
oe made arpcsoe 70 & Inc repair and preservation
tion OF the cemetery sho that with the temporary
aid Afforded by TINS department, ts condition was
800 Is asked by the United States Consul to com
plete the repairs and 10 construct an artesian wen
for IRRIGATION to preserve the shruboery and save
THE MONTANA INDIAN WAR CLAIMS.
BY the tenth section of tue act OF July Is 1870 the
Secretary Of War was required TO investigate INTO
what are known "a tho Montana Indian war claims |
persons entitled to relief together statement
OF the facts ana sums upon which such report may
be based The invesdg tlon was c0nnded TO an
Inspector General OF the army whose report setting
forth The nature and amount OF the claims and the
them was submitted TO Congress at the last session
and commended to favorable consideration.
To complete the investigation, there remained 20
be cupmitted list OF tue persons entitled to relief
and statement OF the AWARD equitaby due to each
most OF the papers connected with the case, de-
sroycd In the late fire at Chicago greater part
ee ~ sr r eoo
been taken, and new COPIES can consequently be |
obtained. lhe claimants have been called upon I
by advertisement 10 iurni h such copies, or, |
III default thereof, to f;e statements OF !
Jneir claims, and In this way the lost evidence |
can be made which win probably prove as reliable |
fore congress without material delay early prep.
araiion depending wholly upon the promptness |
with which claimants respond TO the invitation to
replace their evidence. Urt4 f.a
MILITARY FOsr AT FORT SMELLING. Il
Under the joint resolution approved May I, 1870,
authorizing and empowering the secretary OF War
TO select aud set apart Ior permanent military
post SO much Of the military reservation OF Fort
Smelling mot less than Iool acres as the public IN
tercsts might REQUIRE for that purpose and TO quiet
the title TO said reservation and 10 settle a claims
upon prcpes OF equity have sesced
and aet spart for permanent military post at Fort
Smelling 81 selW sc.es emHracng $ the fort and
lease OF all claims in relation tnereto, and for the
use and occupation thereof have conveyed 70 the
ssersatioa, amounting N @ 70 1854 so-ioO acres.
SALES OF CLOTHING.
The proceeds OF sales OF ciothing from June 30,
1870, 20 the present date amount TO the sum OF .
$l,ST5,72s oi oil or which, as collected, Is turned |
into the Treasury and cannot be used by The depart
ment. Some OF the purchasers have not been able, |
on account OF the disastrous effects OF the Chicago
nre, TO meet their engagements promptly, but The
amount OF old clothing and equipage IS unfit for |
army use. and hence larger appropriations will be-
year mas been about ST. 500 900, when but little
less than for the previous year. The reduced army
is compelled TO increased activity TO compensate for
its loss IN numbers.
The appropriation 10r
BARRACKS AND QUARTERS
has not been sufficient 10 shelter the army In man.
ner essential TO Its comfort and heatn and hence
earnestly desired that the appropriation asked for
that purpose may not be reduced.
THE SOUTHERN RAILROADS.
or the Southern railroads which were allowed 10 |
purchase rolling stock and other railroad supplies |
IRON the United States twenty-seven have paid in |
1ull and twenty Jour sun IN debt TO the depart
ment in The sum OF 81, 72s,350.
In the once OF the ouartermastcr General
LARGE NUMBEKs MISCELLANEOUS CLAIMS
for transportation and for stores taken and used by
the army in certain staies and Territories, under
the act OF July 4, 1864, have been ed and lnal ac-
ton had far possible. These claims amount to
many millions Of dollars and the large interests in
yolved require that there should be more taken
of these important records Than be gwen them
In the present buiding, In which ere would be |
disastrous.
The number or
GRAVES IL NATIONAL CEMETERIES
Is 3lT, $780, including 2,2s5 added during the year.
Tie cemeteries cover an area IN the aggregate, Of
abont l,S0o acres OF land, acquired at cost OF
$4,000