The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-12-02
Secretary 6sciSnnp's gsepor: II Eis
Statements and Recommends
tons.

The annual report Of the Secretary of
War shows that the estimates for this de
partment for theyear ending June 80, 1874,
were S33 .S26,31S, while the appropriation
was S32, 919,01l. Experience shows the cs-
Inmates were necessary. He says that
large list of expenses are included in the
appropriation, which should not be classed
as military, such as freedmens hospital,
signal stations, light houses, &c. He
recommends the enlistment Of boys as field
musicians. He suggests the passage of Il
law To punish minors who enlist and then
claim discharge under the baby act The
order prohibiting any officers visiting
Washington during the session of congress
will continue TO be RICHLY enforced. He
compliments the efficiency of the troops in
Texas Further legislation is necessary to
properly define the scope Of law relative to
the pay of officers covering Communication Of
forage, fuel, etc. All departments occu-
pied by the army throughout the country
have been thoroughly inspected dur
ing the year, and the disbursc-
ments have been made without
defalcation. Most Of the quarter
masters accounts involving much time
and labor in settlement since the rebellion.
have been adjusted. This business is now
much simpilied. OF fifty railroads, which
at the close of the war purchased material
of the war department to the amount of
S1,500,000, thirty roads have paid their
debts in full. The other twenty owe over
Sl,5OO,O0O The contracts for headstoncs
for soldiers graves aggregate s17OO45. He
recommends tobacco as part of the army
ratlons, and an increase in the number of
paymasicrs The work Of coast and harlor
defence has been well advanced under the
engineer corps and much valuable informa-
ton was collected in Europe relative to the
torpedo system of defence. During the
year river Improvements and surveys have
been continued and those on the lakes for.
warded The report of the board to ex-
anime the system Of brecch-loading arms.
recommending Springfield brcech.loaders.
has been adopted, and hereafter Springfield
breech-oading muskets and carbines will
be used in the army He asks an
appropriation Of half million dol
lars for the manufacture, during
the year, of $4,000 of these arms. lie re-
commcnds an increased appropriation of
million and q half dollars for great runs
and sea coast offences. The heavy rifed
guns ordered in 1872 will be finished this
winter.
The Secretary recommends the appr0pli-
alton of S15, 900 for the trial of twelye.inch
cast-ron guns and their manufacture, and
SlOO,O0O for powder depots distant from a
salt atmosphere. He again recommends
the sale of small aIsenals and the erection
of large one on the Atlantic coast; and
also recommends legislation to protect the
officers of the ordnance bureau from prose
cutlons by private parties procaming pa
tents on breecll-loaders
There are nineiy-two signal stations
seventy-eght in the Omitted States. eleven
in Canada, three in the West Indies. and
others will soon be established. Steps are
being taken to perfect the system with
orher nations. He refers to the good dis
ciplne and studiousness of the West Point
cadets, and recommends n law AUTHORIZING
the Chief Clerk of the War Department TO
act rs Assistant Secretary in tie absence of
the Secretary. lie closed by recommend.
ing the revival of law authorizing the
appointment of historian of the rebellion.