New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-01
WAR DEPARTMENT.

pors-PumIc woRKs-TRIAIs or VARIOUS ARMS
USED IN THE SERVICE.
WAR DEPARTMENT, Nov. -, 1879
Mr.. PRESIDENT / deem it proper in the
commencement Of this report 20 make statement OF
the estimates Of appropriations for the Department for
the next scal year, comparing them with the appro-
pratlons for the year, and giving the reasons
for the change.
The estimates military purposes for the end
ing June So 1874 tS s2es7s 7s The estimates for
the purpose for the ending June So 1870 are
Ss4O722 So the OF the next the cur
rent one being t5s4 S44 H. The appropriation for mill
tary purposes for the ending June 30 1874, were
ts2979 IL has been the custom of Congress from
time time reduce the estimates of the Department
have endeavored aided by the officers Of the Depart
and OF Army, keep the expenditures within
che limit prescribed by Congress but experience has
shown that the amounts previously asked FOR paSeu on
data carefully prepared by the chiefs of bureaus after
ample consideration necessary for the manage
of the Department. In addition TO the usual esti
mates already named, the following are submitted for
such action Congress may deem proper to take;
Estimates for engineer purposes .... .2O,45g,3so
SPECIAL EXPENDITURES
will be observed that among the estimates for the
War Department for the next as well as the preceding
years, appropriations asked for which should
DO oassed under those for the support OF the Army
proper for instance those for the observation and re-
port storms the Freedmens Hospital the settlement
OF claims for horses lost in the military service the col
lection and payment of bounty to cOlored soldiers, mill
tary telegraph lines different parts OF the country.
reundng 20 States expenses incurred In raising volun
teers, signal stations lighthouses armng and equip
ping the militia and numerous other subjects Of like
character demand expenditures which, cannot leGti
mately be charged being for the current uses
OF the military establishment critical exami-
nation these expenditures, OF them authorized
by Congress without any recommendation on the part
OF this Department, will show that the total expend
rrglv n of absolutely
necessary the actual requirements Of the Itself
refer especially this subject in order that t be
understood that great part OF the money appropr
sted for tins Department by Congress is for expend
lures similar those named and should not be cOnsid
cred required the support of the army but
imposed upon the military branch OF the
Government in the execution OF works OF internal
The Act OF March g. 1879 Tor the establishment of
military prison, made no appropriation TO meet the eA
ever. that time might be lost. preliminary board
composed only Of army officers, constituted to col
leet information and material for commencing more
definite labor upon the plan SO soon as Congress should
appropriate the means. Ihls board IN Its myesnga
tons. has succeeded IN doing even more than was an
tcipated and fortunately, two gentlemen from civil
the subject Of refOrmaory prison discipline, have
been found willing 10 give share Of their lime gra-
work OF preparing plan and regulations for the mill
ary prison This has enabled me to carry out the pro-
visions OF the second section of by appointing
the therein prescribed Their report will form
the subject Of future special communication TO Con-
MUSICIANS wAxTED-MANAGNG MINORS.
very difficult, under existing laws 10 supply the
Army with field musicians, two of which allowed 10
each company. AS this is essential part of the mill
tary establishment facilities for obtaining mus
should be afforded by the passage Of an act to
authorize the enlistment OF Doy5 moi unueer ~
parents guardians. This provision did exist
until PROBABLY through inadverence the law of 1864
against the enlistment OF minors, put end to IT,
1t is unnecessary allude 70 notorious cases OF Elf
service by music boys, even on the Held OF battle
to Illustrate their perfect competency for al the duties
sicians, they generally. at more auNancc1 age, nave
become valuable noncOmmissioned officers as the
merit being most useful charity, for 1t would pro
VIDE iGa many s1i Oh or G oec IN M ana am danger of
becoming worthless men, put VINO, II enllsteo' wouu
the useful common branches Of education taught at the
The subject Of the discharge Of minors who have
enlisted IN the army has ever been a per
picking one INC most stringent grohloiJons have
has passed from the rendezvous 10 the depot ana Is
e. once In spite OF every precautiOn large
number Of young men, minors in the eye OF tne law ou
for considerable time, do pass themselves as Oh
full age freely take the oath TO that e1ec as emeoaea
n the contract Of enlistment, and are transported az
considerable expense TO regiments Here on tue least
inyoivin@ p1risbment they forthwith write 10 the
parents who have hitherto perhaps bestowed but little
Department for their discharge Since the passage Of
the act Of May u.s. 1872 the department mas uugeo
had discretion left, and when tine PROOF OF minority
clear and the consent OF parent OF guardian mas not
the massage OF the act to- and up 10 June 80
1873 26 applications for discharge from this cause have
s as freo1ent evasion OF punishment and queut
dsoran zaton Of necessary military discipline Is there
recover the child effected, because the latter Is dis
m qetaan Which Is seldom the has
the Tecuniary means. The recruiting ofhcers arc
charged with the expenses OF enlistment OF minors when
clearly guilty OF Of due but II Is exceedingly
difficult many instances to ascertain the true age OF
man with such critical examination as recruits are
subjected to- Thus, while the Government IS imposed
upon, under OATH by the recruit while IL IN good
faith feeds, clothes, transports TO aregmen ana Oten
paws IL IS by present legislation LETT without prOtec-
ton remedy against the fraud The recruit obtains
all the benefit, sometimes Is transported 10 a region
where he settle, and then obtains discharge
with perfect impunity for his fraud.
suggested that some action DO taken toward inc
passage positive law to provide for the punishment
recruits who have deceived the recruiting officers by
falsely swearing 10 their physical condition. In
my judgmeD nc should be immediately turned over 10
the proper rbuna and the United states Jaw olness
should be required TO prosecute hun Tor the ia
oath he taken, and for the great expense be has
gwen the Government.
ARMY OFFICERS HAVING 40 BUSINESS AT wAsHIsGToN.
The practice, which prevailed 10 considerable ex-
tent of army officers visiting the seat OF Government
during the session Of Congress- attempting TO influence
legislation by interviewing members OF Congress, and
presenting business which should only be brought
70 their attention through the head Of the Eek.
scuye Department became such serious evil that on
no oficer either active retired shall directly in
directly, without being called upon by proper authority
solicit suggest. or recommend action by members OF
Congress for against military affairs The necessity
,onentIy hronght the subject to INV attention and
have made complaint, very justly OF the persistent
efforts made with them personally 10 influence their
views on legislation. The order, itself says is not in
tended preclude officers from illustrating eKpound-
ing measure before Congress which may have received
the favor or sanction tie President Secretary OF War
the General OF the Army The experience OF officers
was and is intended restrain officers from urging their
views III improper manner upon members OF Con.
tine necessary legislation OF the Government That order