Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-12-01
Report Of the Secretary Of War.
wAR DEPARTMENT, Nov. q, 1873.


ment OF the estimates Of appropriations for the
Department for the next fiscal year, comparing
them with the aPprOp iatiOns for the current
year, and giving the reasons for the change.
The estimates for military purposes for the
wear ending june 80, 1874. were SIS, 81, 37s7s
The estimates for the same purpose for the year
endiD June 80, io55. S34 40 20 50; the ex-
cess Of the next year over the current one being
S5S4 Bali. The appropriation for military
purposes for the year ending June 30, 1874. were
1t has been the custom of Congress from time
to tine to reduce the estimates Of the Depart
ment. have endeavOred, aided by the officers
of the Der artmenf and OF the Army, TO keep
the expenditures within the limit prescribed by
Congress, but experience has shown that the
amounts previously asked for, based on data
after ample com Iteration, were necessary for
the management OF the Department.
In addition to the usual estimates already
named, the following submitted for such
action as Congress may deem proper to take:
Armament Of for 449 $50
Estima'es for engineer pur poses - 49, aji5ss95
Ii will be observed that among the estimates
for the WaT Department for the next "a well as
the preceding years. Hany appropriations are
asked for which should not be elassed under
those Tor the support Of the Army proper. For
instance, those tor the observation and report
of stOrms; the Frredmens Hospital the settle
ment OF claims for horses lost in the military
service; the collection and payment of bounty
TO colOred soldiers, military telegraph lines in
different parts OF the country refunding to
signal stations At ligh houses; arming and
equippi1g the nj itia; and numerous other sub
jeets of like character. demand expenditures
which cannot legtimAtely be charged a. being
Tor the current uses OF the military establish
ment.
critical examination OF these expenditures.
some Of them authorized by Congress without
any recommendation the part of this Da-
partmeIt, will show that the total expenditures
are largely in excess of the amount absolutely
necessary for the actual requirements of the
Army itself.
Irefer especially to this subject in order that
1t may be understood that great part of the
money Appropriated for this Department by
Congress II for expenditures similar TO those
named. and should not be considered as re-
quired for the support of the Army, but arises
from the trusts imposed upon the military
branch of the Government in the execution of
works OF internal Improvements, for the benefit
of the people.
The act Of March 3, 1873, for the establish
ment OF military prison, made no appropria-
uOn 10 meet any OF the expenses necessary to
carry II into effect. In order, however that no
time might be lost, preliminary board, ON
posed only of Army officers, was constituted to
collect Information and material for commence
ing more definite labor upon the plan as soon
as Congress should appropriate the means
This board, in its investig atoms, has succeeded
in doing even more than was anticipated; and
fortunately, two gentlemen from civil life who
have devoted much time and Jealous study to
the subject of refOTmatOry prison discipline
have been found willing to give share OF their
tune gratuitOusly, until the Appropriation shall
De made, 10 the work of preparing plan and
regulations for the military prison. Time has
enabled me TO carry out the provisions of the
second section of the act, by appointing the
board therein prescribed Their reporf will
form the subject Of future special communl-
cation TO Congress
IL u very difficult, under existing laws to
supply the Army with field musicians, two of
which are allowed to each company A. this il
an essential part of the military establishment
better facilities for obtaining musicians should
be afforded, by the passage Of an act TO authorize
the enlistment of boys not under twelve wears
OF age, always with the consent of parents or
guardians. This provision did exist until prob
ABLY through inadvertence, the law of 1854
against enlistment of minors. put an end to it,
lt ls unnecessary 10 aliude to notorious cases
or efficient service by music bows even on the
held OF battle, TO illustrate their perfect compe-
tsney for ali the duties required of musicians
While they make the best musicians, they gem
orally, at more advanced age, have become
most valuable non-eommissioned officers as the
Itult OF their early training. This plan has, too
the merit OF being most useful charity, for il
would provide for many sOns of old soldiers
living and dead. who now are without aim or
SbJect IN lie, and In danger of becoming worth
less men. but who. if enlisted, would have the
beneht not only Of tnitiOn in music but also in
the useful common branches of education
taught at the depot school,
The subject of the discharge of minors who
nave enlisted IN the Army has ever been a per-
picking one, The most stringent prohibitions
have been laid upon recruiting officers and
whenever a minor has passed from the rendez-
vous to the depot, and is there detected by the
examining board, he is sure 20 be at once dis
number Of young men, minors in the eve OF the
law, but actually men who have beer practi |
eaily thelr own masters for a considerable time,
90 pass themselves as OF full age, freely take
the oath to that effect, as embodied in the con-
tract OF enlistment, and transported at con- I
siderable expense, 10 regiments. Here, on the /
ieast dissatisfaction, or after the commission of
some crime involving punishment, they forth |
with write TO the parents who have hitherto 7
perhaps, bestowed but little care upon them, F.
anu moving appeal Is made to the Depart |
ment for their discharge. Since the passage of !
the act OF May Is, 1872, the Department has /
Judged that it had no discretion left, and when |
the proof of minority Is clear, and the consent
OF parent or guardian has not been obtained, |
discharge Il invariably given. Since the pas !
sage OF the act referred to, and up to June 80,
1873, 20 applications for discharge from this I
cause have been received. Great expense to
the Government, az well as frequent evasion (
punishment, and consequent disorganizations
Of necessary military discipline, is thereby
caused; nor Is the ostensible object of the par
ents TO recover the child effected, because the
home, and even If disposed to return which is
seldom the case, has not the pecuniary means
Inc recruiting officers are charged with the ex-
penses OF enlistment of minors when clearly
guilty OF want Of due care; but il is exceedMg-
ly diftcut in many instances to ascertain the
true age OF man, even with such critical ex-
ANIMATION as recruits are subjected to. Thus,
while the Government is imposed upon, under
an oath; by the recruit, while it, in good faith
Ieeds, clothes, transports to a regiment, and
often pays him, il Is by present legislation left
without protection or remedy against the fraud
The recruit obtains all the benefit, sometimes
Is transported to region where he wishes to
settle, and then obtains q Discharge with per.
feet impunity for his fraud.
IL Is suggested that some action be taken to-
ward the passage Of positive Law to provide
Tor the punishment of recruits who have de-
eeived the recruiting officers by falsely swear
ing 20 their age or physical condition. In nv
Judgment he should be Immediately turned over
TO the proper tribunal, and the United states
law officer in whose district the recruit may
nave committed the otfense should be required