National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1872-12-04

The report Of the Secretary Of War, which
We printed yesterday, shows that the total
expenses Of that branch Of the service for the
year ending June so, 1872, were less by
iI27, S34.G2 than those Of last year. The total
estimates for the year ending 1874 arc s33, SOL,
;'TS.7s and for the engineer department
i'l6, $50, S2i. The report Is a clear and com.
l'rchonslve review Of the work Of the Depart.
ilont for the year, and shows on the whole d
highly gratifying condition of the army. II
teens that about one sixth Of the military
force Is still In the States east Of the Missis-
sppi, and that a reduction has been found
impossible, owing to the disturbances In that
tCction with which the country is entirely
familiar. DesortlOns during the last year
have been less than heretofore, and the recon.
mendation Is made thdt Congress should pro.
vide for uniformity Of punishment for crime
against the military rules aud regulations, the
nbsence Of which Is calculated to impair the
efficiency of the service.
1t Is a satisfaction to know that the &c,
counts growing out Of the war have at last
been completed, and are now before the
Treasury Department for final settlement. A
large portion Of the material left on the hands
Of the Government has been sold and the
amount realized therefor turned into the
Treasury. The number Of claims now on Ale
under the law Of July 4, 1864, for cOmpensa,
lion Of loyal citizens In certain districts /,
1881, which are set down at nearly seven
millions Of dollars but Ii Is not probable thai
more than one half Of the amount will bC
allowed. The scyenty-fOur national ccmctc,
rlcs, containing the remains Of Sl7, 0G2 per.
tons, have all been permanently incloSed with
the exception Of sixteen. Under this head
legislation Is recommended In regard to the
cemetery near the City Of Mexico, which Ger.
tainly ought to be passed. The report, which
il very thorough, further treats Of the expen-
diturcs Of the Government In the great Calaul-
ity that befCll Chicago more than year ago
in the way OF stores and subsistence, which
was comparatively trining. That excellent
and valuable institution, the Army Medical
Museum, Is referred to in Praiscworthy terms,
after which the Secretary naturally takes W
the Army Medical Corps aud roncws hi,
recommendation that the prohibition against
promotions In that useful brunch Of the ser
vice be abolished.
The sale Of several OF tie aTscnalo east Ol
the Mississippi river Is recommended, anC
the construction OF one large establishment q
that description on the Atlantic coast, which
would result in greater economy TO the Gov
crnment. The abolition Of the law prohibit
ing promotions In the engineer corps Is alsC
urged, and there Is no good reason why /
ehould not be done, Tho engineer corps ha
done excellent service during the last few
yoars, and It's sllicers should be placed On Al
ruunlIty with those other departments Of thu
navy.
The country and Congress, VIC arc cuul
dent, will lndorso all that the Secretary say,
in regard TO tho signal service bureau and Il
Its work. II has in a short time Commended
itself to the favor Of all classes Of our people
aud Congress VIII make great blunder II /
throws any obstacle in the way Of It's still fur
Their usefulness and efficiency. The rCpOr
closes with a statement Of the condition aut
needs Of the Military Academy ut West Point
which should receive careful attention an,
consideration.