Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-12-05
Secretary Belknap's Report.

The annual report of the Secretary of War shows
that the estimates for military purposes for the
year ending June 30, 1874, were 33,s26,3iS. The
estimates for the same purpose for the year end
ing June 80, 1875, are 344l0,7 ,722 the excess over
the current year being $5S4,24i. The appropria-
june june 3d. is74 i we're gIH5ys gsSi7s o' INT year enans
In addition TO the usual estimates already made
the following submitted for such action as Con-
gress may deem proper to take: Armament Of
forts, $1,4i9,55n; estimates for engineering pur-
poses, $40, ,499, 1856
He recommends that better facilities to obtain
field musicians be afforded by the passage Of an
act authorizing the enlistment Of boys not under
IL years Of age, with the consent Of their parents
or guardians.
The Secretary says his orders directing officers,
active or retired, TO refrain from visiting Wash
ington during sessions OF Congress with view 10
influence legislation, will be strictly enforced in
so far as he has the power. He also says further
provision OF the act regulating the pay Of officers
Communication etc. The Secretary recommends
that an allowance Of ten dollars per month be
made to Lieutenants Of the line detailed as Acting
Assistant Quartermasters
OF the fifty railroads which purchased material
from the Department at the close OF the war to
the amount Of $1500, 600, thirty of them paid in
full. The remaining twenty are still indebted
about $4,700C00. He recommends the passage ol
law which will enable the Department to collect
from the Post-office Department the postal earn.
ings Of several OF the delinquent railroads.
He also recommends an appropriation 10 con
tnue experiments Of the artcsian well at Fort D.
n. u
the people Of Colorado, Wyoming, Dakota and
Montana will be Of importance in the development
Of their material resources.
He also recommends that an act be passed au
horizng the issue of tobacco part of the ration.
Of enlisted men, and that medical corps be opened
to appointment and promotion: that there be an
increase of Paymasters from forty -four to fty-two
and that new appointments and promotions be
allowed,
Works on the sea-coast defenses and fortifca
tions have been advanced with rapidity consistent
hp Ia In
four Of our harbors now contain quite number OF
the platforms ready for their armament Of guns OF
largest caliber. The harbor defenses in course OF
construction are recommended TO be forced to
completion.
The Secretary invites the attention of Congress
to the bridging Of the navigable waters Of the
United States, and suggests such general legisa.
| tiOn as may be necessary for the preservation
| OF the channels Of commerce. He recommends the
repeal OF the law authorizing the construction Of
the bridge across the Arkansas River at Little
Rock for the reason that bridge constructed ac
| cording TO Its terms would materially obstruct
navigation.
The survey Of the lakes has been continued with
| success during the season.
| The Springfield system OF breech-loaders will be
henceforth used for musk kcts and carbines In The
army, and an appropriation Of $500 900 is asked fo
to manufacture about $4,000 arms Of the accepted
pattern for reserve supply in case Of war. II Il
recommended that the appropriation for arminl
and equtppng the militia be Increased in proper
iOn TO the increasing population since the passage
| Of the act OF 1868
Cities on the seacoast II Is stated, are In yerl
| defenseless condition. and the Secretary calls thu
earnest attention OF Congress to the fact, suggest
| ing that 81, ,500,000 the estimate OF the Chief
Ordnance, be appropriated to put them in stat,
OF defense and says this sum will only provide th'
| defenses with One-sixth of the complement Of gun
| required for the different fortifCatiOns.
The purchase Of a proving ground for expert
ments In heavy guns IL advised; also, an apprOpri
| alton Of $4,000 for the manufacture and trial o
| tweve-ineh cast-lron rimmed cannon
A large powder depot, 1t Is recommended ,shoulI
| be established in some region where neither pri
vate nor public interests would be endangered
and away from the influence Of salt air. and for tn
| purchase Of a site and commencement Of maga
| zines $100,0O0 should be appropriated In the SAM
connection. IL Is recommended that the smaller ar
| senals be sold, and large arsenal be built from
| the proceeds OF these sales.
The Secretary concludes by recommending tina
| legislation should be renewed. giving the Secrear
Of War authority TO appoint competent person L
arrange and prepare Tor publication Official docu
ments relating to the operations OF the army dur
| ing war.
| .. GENERAL sHERMAN's REPORT