The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1872-12-12

N'S'' 'Ha' az ilh p'oNSu CouHltloH VI dHdliS
IN that section may permit the withdrawal
of a portion of the forces.
The examination by the Bureau of
Military Justice of the records of the
trials occurring in the different military
departments, brings constantly before it
what Is felt to be most serious defect In
the administration of justice, and a most
positive injury to the service which is,
the inequality of sentences adjudged by
different Courts for Identical offenses-
The opinion is entertained that the service
would be greatly benefited, and its morale
increased, by the adoption of code pro
viding specific penalties for well defined
offences The changes in the uniform
and dress of the army, recommended by
Board of Officers convened with re-
ference to that subject, were, with some
notifications, approved, and the new
clothing is being manufactured as rapidly
as possible. The uniform adopted is be
liered to be great improvement, and will,
it is hoped, give general satisfaction in
the army. The Il national cemeteries
now contain the remains of 81 ,962 per
sons All but l6 Of these cemeteries have
been permanently inclosed, or are being
inclosed under contracts now in operation.
The sources and methods of supply for
the army have since the war been gradual.
ly brought into close conformity with the
customary usages governing in commercial
transactions.
About six thousand dollars was expend
ed by the department in aid of the Chicago
sufferers, and food valued at $50, 900 was
forwarded to Wisconsin for the relic! Of
the sufferers by the terrible forset fires
on condition that "the State of Wisconsin
will account for the stores at their value,
if required to do so hereafter" The
Secretary calls the attention of Congress
TO the large number of vacancies at
present-ffty nine-existing in the Medi-
cal Corps, and the injury to it and the
service, resulting from the prohibition of
appointments aud promotions. The de.
partment has given the usual attention to
the Improvement of the arms OF the service
During the past year the Corps of
Engineers has been engaged upon the
works for the defense of our coasts upon
river aud harbor improvements and the
sui IOi dIu lOi tHC plOtGCllpu
Of the navisable waters Of the United
States against deterioration, whether from
bridging or other causes !; upon the
geodetie and photographic surveys Of the
lakes upon surveys for the defense OF
the coast; upon military surveys and
| recennoissances in the interior upon
geographical and geological explorations
upon public buildings and grounds in the
District Of Columbia upon the construs
ton of light houses ; and upon the denmark
| alton of the boundary between the United
States and Great Britain.
The river aud harbor works, aad the
many surveys annually directed to be
made 10 extending the system of i'm
provcment, have been carried on with
skill, energy, and economy. The increas-
ed security aud facility to navigation
which these works of improvement have
afforded, though many Of them are only
partially completed, have saved to com
mence many times the amount of the
sum expended on the work. The sccre-
tary is greatly pleased at the success of
the storm signal system and proposes fur
| ther improvement.
The Military Academy at West Point
is reported to be in satisfactory state Of
proficiency in discipline and study. The
total number of Cadets now at the
Academy, is 240, with 53 vacancies =
The general health Of the Army is good
and the report throughout shows the ex-
istence of satisfactory state of affairs.