The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-12-01
WASHINGTON.
The Credit sIebiIler Suit.

w ASHINGTON, NOV. &.-Ihe Attorney Gen-
eral will appeal the Credit Mobilier suit from
the decision of the u S. District Court for Con-
necticut to the Supreme Court of the United
States.
Republican House Cnucns Speaker
Blaine se-Nomiuated by Acclamntion.
The Republican caucus tonight was presided
over by Mr.. Maynard.
Mr.. WHEELER of New York. nominated J. G.
Blaine for Speaker and the nomination was car
ried by reclamation.
Mr.. Orth nominated Edward Mcpherson for
Clerk, who was also thus endorsed N. G. Ordway
was nominated for Sergeant-at Arms, receiv-
ing III votes. and his opponent, Mum, of Ill
inOis, 40. Col. MARYLAND, the prominent can
didate in opposition to Ordway, withdrew in his
favor and he was unanimously supported by
the entire Indiana delegation.
o. B. Buxton was nominated for doork-keep-
er, the name Of his opponent, Scranton, being
withdraw before the ballot was recounted All
the above named nominees occupied the places
for which they were tonight nominated during
the former Congress-
Henry Sherwood of Michigan was nominat-
ed for Postmaster. MI King, the present in
cumbenl, declining to be a candidate.
Gen. Coburn of Indiana, presented a resolu-
ton proposing to divide the Committee on APP
preparations into five or more com missions,
combining with their duties those now pertain
of the various departments. The matter was
considered as not proper for caucus consdera-
ton and an adjournment took place.
Democratic Caucus.
Congressman Wood of New York, was nom
mated by the Democratic caucus for Speaker,
receiving "A votes to % for S. S. Cox. Among
the other nominations was Charles w. Coombs
of Maine, for Doorkeeper.
Report of the Secretary of War.
The annual report of the Secretary of War
shows that the estimates for this department
for the year ending June, 1874 were $33, 826, 378
while the appropriation was $32,917 ,971. Ex-
perence shows the estimates were necessary.
He says that large list of expenses are includ-
ed in the appropriation which should not be
classed as military such as freedmen's hospi-
ta sigual stations at light houses, &c. He
recommends the enlistment of boys as field
musicians. He suggests the passage of a law
to punish minors who enlist and then claim
discharge under the "baby" act. The order
prohibiting an officer visiting Washington dnr-
ing the sessions of Congress will continue to be
ri gidly enforced. He compliments the eff
cheney of troops in Texas. Further legislation
is necessary:to properly define the scope of the
law relative to the pay of officers, covering
commentator for forage. fuel, ETC.
All departments occupied by the army
throughout the country have been thoroughly
inspected during the year, and the disburse-
ments have been made without defalcation.
Most of the quartermasters accounts involv-
ing much time aud labor in settlement since
the rebellion, have been adjusted This bust
ness is now much simplitied.
OF 80 railroads which at the close of the war
purchased material Of the War Department to
the amount of 81 800 900, have paid their debts
in full. The other twenty still owe over $4,-
100000
The contracts for head stones for soldiers
graves aggregate $770,045.
He recommends tobacco as a part of the
army rations and an increase in the number of
paymasters.
The work of coast and harbor defence have
been we'll advanced under the engineer corps,
and much valuable information was collected
in Europe relative TO torpedo defence. During
the year, river Improvements and surveys
have been continued, and those on the lakes
forwarded.
The report of the board to examine the sys-
tenn of breach loading arms recommending
Springfield breach leaders has been adopted, and
hereafter Springfield breach loading muskets
and carbines will be used in the army. He
asks an appropriation of $780, 900 for the man
ufacture during the year, of $4,000 of these
arms He recommends an increased appropri-
alton of 81, 100000 for great guns and sea
coast defences, The heavy rifed guns or
dersd in 1872 will be finished this winter: He
also recommends the appropriation OF $4,000
for the trial of IL inch coast iron guns and their
manufacture, and 100000 fer powder depots
distant from salt atmosphere. He again rec
ommends the sale of small arsenals and the
erection of large one on the Atlantic coast,
and also recommends the legislature to protect
the officers of the ordnance bureau from prose-
cutions by private parties claiming patents on
breach leaders
The military signal and telegraph continues
to be instructed, and recruiting for the signal
service has been successful. There are W signal
stations, 78 in the United States, IL in Cana
du, 8 in the West Indies and others will soon
be established. Steps are being taken to per-
feet the system with other nations,
RAT IN sIs. e.T.I I'M
diousness of the West Point Cadets.
He closes by recommending the revival OF
law authorizing the appointment OF historian
OF the rebellion.
Report Of General sherman.
Head Quarters of the Army,
To Hon. W. w. Belknap, Secretdryo Of War:
Sir,-I have the honor herewith to submit
staten ent showing the organization and ac-
tual strength of the enlisted men in the army
compiled from the official returns up to the lat
est date to invite your attention to the recapit-
u alton, showing 25,535 cavalry, artillery ana
infantry, and 1870 non combattants, the whole
aggregatlng 29,505, or 495 less than the NUMBER,
3O,O0O, limited by law. In the active regiments
the number of men sick and on necessary de-
tail about the posts will fully equal Is per bent
SO that the actual strength for military service
does not exceed 1862 men. In order that the
regular army should fulfill its arduous duties
on the frontier, as also to form. model on
which to shape the volunteer and militia force
OF the United States, would earnestly recon-
mend that Congress be asked to fix the limit of
the enlisted force at such a figure as will give
81, 600 for regiments of the line, to provide
specifically for non combatant detaohments,
such as the engineer battalion, the ordnance
department, West Point detachments, signal
department. ordnance and commissary serg-
eants, IN some manner as has been done Ior
hospital stewards. The artillery regiments
have an organization different from the infant-
ny, VIZ: u batteries in a regiment, but OF these
only one IS equipped and instructed as pas
terry, the other eleven companies being armed
o Mi ~ ana Instructed as 10 aSnlv to
the new tactics now approaching completion
to all arms of the service alike, with your ap-
p1oval, have ordered that the word pattery
apply technically to such only as are PROVIDED
with horses and guns, and all others TO be called
companies" Some of the artillery omcers