The New York herald., 1872-11-30

recommendations. The procurement and trial Of
the guns recommended by them will probably con-
sumo the whole Of the year 1878. moderate sum
is estimated for the procurement OF cast iron
smooth-bore guns and iron carriages for the fiscal
year. Nearly eight hundred such guns, besides
800 mortars are still needed for our forts.
The sale OF such or the arsenas east
oi the Mississippi River as can be spared and dis
posed OF to advantage should be made and the
proceeds applied to establishing large arsenal OF
construction and repair on the Atlantic coast and
the erection OF suitable depots for the storage OF
the powder and nitre belonging to the department
The purchase OF proving and experimental
ground for heavy ordnance is recommended. The
notes and bonds OF the principal purchasers
ut the Harpers Ferry sale, In 1859, have been
placed in the hands OF the Department OF
Justice for suit-the delinquents having faeo to
lqudate any part OF their Indebtedness within the
time limited by law Liberal action In regard to
promotion, such as was taken in respect to the
Engineer Department at the last session, will,
it is hoped, be extended at the ensuing
session to officers Of the Ordnance Depart
ment. Some plan for settling the long disputed
claims of royalty on the arms which have been
altered at Springfield Armory should be devised
and the Ordnance Department relieved Of much
embarrassment arising out OF the subject.
Inspector General Marcy reports highly salts
factory performance OF the duties OF the officers
comprising his department, the varied nature and
Importance OF which are fully set forth. He recon-
Mends the introduction OF better material for cloth
ing for enlisted men, He thinks the present system
OF fabricating the clothing might advantageously
be modified by selecting for the permanent direct
tion and control OF the fabricating establishment
an 0fficer OF rank and experience, who has
peculiar fitness for the position and business
qualifications The Inspector General thinks an
early adoption and PRONUNCIATION OF the new
code Of army regulations is greatly to be desired,
and is anxiously looked for by the army.
Reports OF different inspectors show there has
been continued Improvement in the discipline,
efficiency and moral tone Of the troops, as well as
the promotion Of a more careful regard for the
economical administration Of the public money and
property.
Judge Advocate Generals Report.
Judge Advocate General Holt in his annual re-
port to the Secretary Of War; says the examination
in review by this bureau OF the record OF trials
occurring In the different military departments
Of the country brings constantly before 1t what is
felt to be most serious defect in the administra-
tion Of justice and positive injury to the SER
vice, which is the inequality OF sentences adjudged
by different courts for identical offences. Deser-
punishment of from one to five years. confne
ment at hard labor, while in another one years
Imprisonment Is deemed ample expiation and
this in cases which from the trial re-
cords appear to be in all respects deserv
ing Of the same proportion OF punish
ment. The opinion is entertained that the service
would be greatly benefited by the adoption OF
code providing specific penalties for well-defned
offences. The absence Of proper places Of confne-
ment for the enforcement Of sentences, which
leads to the designation Of State penitentiaries
by the department. is alluded to as having
very demoralizing influence upon SOL
diers subjected to the humiliating and degrading
discipline of these institutions and the Judge Ad
vocate General thinks the erection or prisons at q
small cost In different parts OF the country, where
prisoners might be placed wholly under military
restraint, would not only save many good men
to the service, but would also be an absolute econ
omy Of expenditure.
Army Reports.
General Sherman's report shows the actual force
Of enlisted men in the army to be 1885, and Of
comm ssi0ned officers, 2104. He submits with this
report those OF all the officers commanding military
departments and divisions, which, he states so
full that they leave him nothing to do but to sub
init them with his hearty approval Of the several
recommendations therein.
Circulation and Distribution OF Cur
rcncy.
The following table from the report OF the
Comptroller OF the Currency will exhibit the dis
trbution Of the s5400 100000 OF circulation author
iZed nv the act Julv 10 197o.-