The New York herald., 1873-11-30
T H E A r NJ Y.
Annual Report of secretary of War
General Belknap.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 90 1879
Tho annual report OF the Secretary OF War shows
that the estimates for military purposes for the
year ending June 80 1874, were $50. S26,37S The
estimates Tor the same purpose for the year end
ing June 80 1875 are s3 4l0 722 the excess OF the
next year over the current one being $5s4.34s.
The appropriation for military purposes for the
year ending June 80 1874 were $S2.9i7,o7l IL mas
been the custom OF Congress from time TO time 10
reduce the estimates Of the department.
have endeavored, aided by the officers OF the
department. and OF the army, to keep the
expenditures within the limit prescribed by Con-
gress; but experience has shown that the amounts
previously asked for, based on data carefully pre-
pared by chiefs OF bureaus alter ample considera-
ton, were necessary for the management OF the
department. In addition to the usual estimates
already made the following are submitted for such
action as Congress may deem proper to take:-
Estimates for engineer purposes. Di53S6
1t will be observed that among the estimates for
the War Department for the next US wen as
the preceding years many appropriations are
asked Tor which should not be classed under
a 'e tns.a r the 'aS
report OF storms, the Freedmen's Hospital, tne
settlement OF claims for horses lost III the
military service the collection and payment or
bounty to colored soldiers, military telegraph INES
In diTierent parts OF the country, rounding TO
States expenses incurred In TutslHg NOluulccTS
signal stations at lighthouses, arming and equip.
ping and militia, and numerous other SUBJECTS OF
ike character demand expenditures which cannot
legitimately be charged as being Tor the current
uses of the military establishment. critical
examination OF the expenditures, some oil tnem
authorized by Congress without any recommenda- emu.
that the total expenditures are largely IN excess
OF the amount absolutely necessary Tor the actual
requirements OF the army ITSELF
The act OF March 3. 1873, for the establishment OF
military prison, made no appropriation TO meet
any OF the expenses necessary TO carry u into enecI
In order, however, that no time might be lost,
preliminary board composed only OF army onicers
was constituted to collect information and mate
rial for commencing more definite labor upon
plan so soon as Congress should appropriate
means. This board, In its Investigations, has sue
ceeded In doing even more than was anticipatea
and, fortunately, two gentlemen from civil
lie who have devoted much time and
Jealous study TO the subject OF re,
formatory prison discipline have been found
willing to give share OF their time gratuitOusly
until an appropriation snail be made to the work
OF preparing plan and regulations Tor military
prison. TINS has enabled me to carry out the pro-
visions OF the second section OF the act 0y appoint
ing the board therein prescribed. Their report
will form the subject OF future special commune
cation to Congress-
lie 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 age, with the consent OF their parents
or guardians, and Says:-
efficient service by music boys, even on the
field OF battle. to Illustrate their perfect
competency Ior all duties required o. musicians.
generally at a more advanced age have become
most valuable non-commissioned officers as the
fruit OF their early training This plan has, too,
the merit OF being most useful charity, for 1t
would provide Tor many sons OF old soldiers living
and dead, who now are without aim or object In
lie, and IN danger Of becoming worthless men |;
but who II enlisted would have the benefit not only
Of tuition In music, but also in the useful common
branches OF education taught at the depot school.
The subject OF discharge OF minors who have
enlisted in the army has ever been perplexing
one. The most stringent prohibitions have been
land upon recruiting officers. and whenever
minor has passed from the rendezvous to the
depot and Is there detected by the Examining
Board he is sure to be at once discharged. In
spite ofevery precaution q large number OF young
men, minors in the eye Of the law, but
actually men, who have been practically
do pass themselves Us OF tull age, freely
take the oath to that effect. as embodied in the
considerable expense to regiments. Here, on the
least dissatisfaction or after the commission OF
some crime involving punishment, they forthwith
bestowed but little care upon them, and q moving
appeal is made to the department Tor their dis
charge. since the passage OF the act OF May 10,
1872 the department has judged that 1t had no dis
cret,on lett, and when the proof OF minority
is clear, and the consent OF the parent
discharge is invariably given. Since the passage Of
the act referred TO, and up to June 81, 1873, 2so
been received. Great expense to the government,
well as frequent evasion OF punishment and the
tary discipline, is thereby caused. Nor Is
the ostensibe object oil the parents to re-
cover the child Effected because the latter Is dis
charged hundreds OF miles from home and even II
disposed to return, which Is seldom the case, has
not the pecuDiary means He suggests that some
action be taken toward the passage OF positive
law to punish recruits who have deceived recruit
ing officers by falsely swearing to their age or
physical condition, and says:-"in my Judgment
he should be Immediately turned over to proper
tribunal and the United States Law officer in
whose district recruit may have committed an
offence should be required to prosecute him Tor
the false oath he mas taken and for the great ex-
pense he has given the government"
The practice, which prevailed to considerable
extent OF army officers visiting the seat OF govern
ment during the session OF Congress, attempting
to influence legislation by interviewing members
OF Congress, and presenting business that should
head OF the Executive department, became such
serious EVIL that on March Is, 1873, ! caused an
order TO be issued directing that no Officer either
active or retired, shall, directly or Indirectly,
without being called upon by proper authority,
OF Congress, for or against military affairs. Tn
necessity for this order was apparent. Members
OF Congress have frequently brought the subject TO
my attention and have made complaint, very
Justly, OF the persistent efforts made with them
personally to influence their views on legislation.
Inc order as it itself says, Is not intended to pre-
clude officers from illustrating or expounding
measure before Congress which may have received
favor or sanction Of the President, the Secre-
The experience OF officers when so used
Is and Will be viewed as valuable, but
1t was ana Is INTENDED 10 restrain omcers from
urging their views In an improper manner upon
members OF Congress, and in consuming the time
OF those ntrusted with the necessary legislation
OF the government. That order will be enforced so
far as 1t lies within my power and authority to ac-
complish It..
He next refers to his tour OF inspection through
the Department oil IeXas in company with
Lieutenant General Sheridan, last spring,
and speaks In high terms OF the efficiency
and good conduct of the troops there
stationed. At several OF these posts, where both
white and colored soldiers were stationed, the
general good conduct and fine military appear
ance Of all the troops composing the garris0ns
were prominent TO a marked degree.
In section "a OF the act Of July 15 1870, the nav
OF officers OF the army was established. and prOvi-
sion was made that the sums therein specified
should be In full OF all commutation oi iucl.
forage, servant hire and clothing, longevity
ratiOns and all allowances OF every name
and nature whatever, and should be paid monthly
Dv the Paymaster. Further legislation Is necessary
70 define the scope OF this provis0n-whe ther IL Is
intended to include certain things sucn as trans
portation in kind OF offcers' servants and tran =
portati0n OF oflicers' horses and baggage author