Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-12-03
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF
WAR

REPORT OF TFE SECRETARY OF
WAR
Secretary Belknsp reports that the expendi-
tire of las depart ment for the fiscal wear end
ing June 80. 1871, were SIS, I99, 991s2, for the
year encing June 80. 1872. as 49,, 15 20; show
ing Reduction of S42T ,e3+ 60.
The total estimate for military appropriations
for The hscal year ending June 80, 1874, is
The estimates Of the Chief of Engineers are
submitted separately a. presented by that Off
Ger, namely: FortihcstiOns and other works
proTemenf;, So 90, 500; public buiid,nSs and
grounds AMI Washington Aqueduct, ss12 ,O2i-
total, siG,C@9sa4.
dace the force in the southern states east of the
rebellion. About one-siKt6 Of the army is still
located there. 1t 10 10 be hoped that an i'm
proved condition of affairs in that section may
permit the withdrawal of q portion of the
forces.
The secretary renevs the recommendation
that the extra lieutenants row authorized by
law to serve az regimental adiutants and quar-
termasters IN the artillery, infantry and cav
airy regiments be discontinued, as vacancies
occur IN those grades. A yearly saving, with
no injury te theservice, of nearly s6O coo would
thus be effected.
Thorough inspections, especially in connsc-
ton with those branches OF the service having
charge Of disbursements, have been ordered,
and the inspector will be held responsible for
any defslcation or misapplication of the public
money OF property which may occur within the
district assigned TO him, that an active vigilance
on his part might have detected.
One hundred and thirty eight thousand one
hundred and thirty-two dollars and seventy ave
cents have been collected from the indebted
southern railroads, and unsettled accounts on
ME will probably increase this sum about
$4,000, making in al $50 900, derived from
these accounts during the year. The balance
still due at the end of the year 81 T5 ZAP IS.
Under the law of July I, 1864, for relief Of
loyal CITIZENS in certain lOval districts, the
QnaIteInaster General has examined aud
Transmitted he in off for
lnent co. claims for qusTterm asters stores taken
curing the war, amounting, as allowed, to
So ,l02T2 81 Others have been rejected.
amounting to S2Se. 1CO15 There are IOS5l
claims under this law still file, stated at
500 Ct %, hut large proportion Of these are
The - national cemeteries now contain the
T1mains Of s.lI .S52 persons.
The monthly reports of sick aud wounded
received during the year. represent annual
mean strength of u ,10l white ami 2,lS4 colored
soldiers. Among the white troops the total
number Of cases of all kinds reported on the
sick 1T was u ,515; the total number OF deaths
reported was 81. Among the COiOTed troops
the total number OF cases reported was ,5l4;
The fetal number OF deaths from all causes re-
ported was a.
Attentior~is again called to the large number
OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS in the NE ical corps,
and the injury TO il and the service, resulting
from 'he prohibition CT appointments and pro-
motions.
The legislation of Congress at its last session
has tended materially 70 encourage aud i'm
prove the rank and tile of the army. The pay
bi,i carries the system Of retained pay to those
OF all ranks, and no one can doubt the good
effect Of such system.
Such Of the aTsenals east of the Mississippi
I1yeT as can he spared should be s0ld and the
prOeeecs applied to the establishment of a large
arsenal Ct construction and repair on the At
lantic coast. and the erection of suitable depo.s
Tor the storage of the powder and inter Uelong-
ing TO the department. The means Of rapid
Commune alton of modern times obviates the
necessity OF having an arsenal in almost every
state OF The Union. and the consolidation Of
Inf int. -l,.
result IN gr. az economy TO the government, aud
promote efficiency. proving and expert
mental ground for heavy ordnance is much re
Quired, and the purchase of a suitable site 1,
recommended The grounds at present used q.
Old Point Comfort, Virginia, are inadequate to
the wants OF the Ordnance department.
The work upon our coast defenses and forti-
heations has been prosecuted with vigor, and
already large number Of positions for guns and
mortars OF the largest CALLERS, to be mounted
behind sand parspets, have been provided.
while others are in an advanced state of con-
struction These works should be continued,
as they are the basis OF our harbor projections
and aresessential for the efficacy of the acces-
sorry defenses, especially OF torpedoes and chan
nelobsTuctions, which form a part of our own
system OF defense.
The duties of the signal office in observations
and reports for the benefit of commerce and
agriculture have been continued throughout
The wear with gratifying success. Stations have
been maintained at each of the principal lakes,
seaport, and river cities.
comparison of the tri-daily forecasts or
f'prObablities'' as they have been styled with
the meteorie condition afterward reported and
go far as known. has given an average of 50 per
cent. az verified up 10 November l, ISL. Since
that date, 70 the present time October I, 1872
the average of yerincatiOIs has been 1G.s-l0 per
cent.
IL Is believed that since the Inauguration of
Its duties no great AMI continuous storm has
tTaversed the territory OF the United States, or
ragged along the length Of It's lakes, its gull or
sea-COasi shores, a. IN their course such storms
have sometimes done, without fair and general
ITenonIt-cn given at the great majority OF the
points eudanger 70 any who cared to seek or
heed them.
personal visit 20 West Point and inspection
OF the operations Ofthe academy in June last,
and The report OF the board Of visitors whose in
vestgafioTS were very thorough. disclosed
satisfactory state OF proficiency in discipline
and stacy.
Tie llAer 81 failures to master the arade-
mlc eourse, Including or ginal reJections, were
=, The L. T. Ct OF admissions -; the total num-
Der OF Ca'iefs rev at the academy is 2i0. There
ave - vacancies, caused ~ failures upon pre-
1iminary eN1TnII atlorS. discharge of cadets for
deficiency. and the failure OF congressional
rtpTeseurt4ves 10 select suitable candidates for
the past September examination.
II = matter of great satisfaction that an
appTCpTi ttion liberal IN amount has been In 4le
by Congress for the erection ~ A hre-Droof
building portion OF which j. tor the use OF the
War Department. The necessity for a safe De.
positOry for the valuable records. now scattered
IN Insecure localities. renders the speedy erec-
ton OF tbs building matter OF great interest