The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1873-12-18
Report Of the Secretary Of War.

The annual report Of the Eecretar1
of war shows that the estimate
for military purposes for the yea
ending June 80, 1874, were S38,
S26, ,37S. The estimates for the sam,
purpose for the year ending June so
1875 are S34. 40, 732 the excess ovel
the current year being S5s4, ,S4A. tn.
appropriation for military purposes fol
the year ending June so, 1874, were $50,
917, ,971. In addition to usual estimates
already made the following are sub
mitted for such action as congress max
deem proper to take Armament fol
forts, 81 ,449, $50 estimates for engin.
eering purposes, $50. .439, 1896. He re-
cOmmends better facilities to OBJ
tain field musicians, by passing an act
authorizing enlistment of boys not I'M.
der twelve years of age, with consent OF
their prents or guardians. The secre-
tary says his order directing officers, ae-
tive or retired, to refrain from visiting
Washington during the session of con-
gress, with view TO influence fegisla-
tion, viii be strictly enforced in so far
as he has power. He also says further
legislation is necessary to define the
scope of the provisions of the act reg
ulating the pay of officers commuta-
ton, etc. The secretary recommends
that an allowance of ten dollars per
month be made to lieutenants of the line
detailed as acting assistant quartermas-
ters. Of fifty railroads which purchased
material from the department at the
close of the war to the amount of
81, 500, 900, thirty of them have paid in
full. The remaining twenty still are
indebted about 81, 100000. He recon-
mends the passage of law which viii
enable the department to collect from
the postofice department postal earn
ings of several of the delinquent rail-
roads. He also recommends an appro-
priation to continue experiments of the
artesian well at Fort D. A. Russell, be-
Heving q series of flowing wells to peo-
pie of Colorado, Washington, Dakota
and Montana will be of importance In
the development of their material re-
sources. He also recommends that an
act be passed authorizing the issue of
tobacco as part of rations of enlisted
men, that the medical corps be open
to appointment and promotion that
there be an increase of paymasters
from A to 50, and that new appoint
ments and promotion beallowed. Works
on the seacoast defenses and fortifca-
cations have been advanced with rapid
ity consistent with economy and eff
cheney, and the works for our principal
harbors now contain quite number of
platforms ready for armament of guns
of the largest calibre. The harbor de-
fenses in course of construction are re-
commended to be forced to completion.
The secretary invites the attention of
congress to the bridging of navigable
waters of the United States, and sug-
gests such general legislation as may be
necessary for the preservation of chan
nels of commerce.. Ho recommends a
repeal OF the law authorizing the con-
struction of bridge across the Arkan-
sas river at Little Rock, for the reason
that bridge constructed according to
its terms would materially OBJ
struct navigation. The survey of the
lakes has been continued with success
during the season. Springfield breech-
leaders will be henceforth used for mus
kets and carbines in the army. An ap-
preparation of $500, 600 is asked for to
manufacture about $4,000 arms of ac-
cepted system for the reserve supply.
In case of war, it is recommended that an
appropriation for arming the mill
tia be increased in proportion to
the increasing population since the pas
sage of the act of 1903. Cities on the
seacoast are in a very defenceless con-
dition, and the secretary calls earnest
attention of congress to the fact, sug
gesting that million and a half dol
lars, the estimate of the chief of ord
nance, and says this sum Will only pro-
vide defences with one-sixth of the guns
required for the different Notifications.
The purchase of parade ground for
experiments in heavy guns is advised.
Also an appropriation of fifteen thou
sand dollars for the manufacture and
trial of twelve-inch cast-iron rifled can
mons. A large powder depot, it is re-
should be established in
some region where neither private or
public interests viii be endangered from
the influence of salt air, and for the
purchase of a site and commencement
of magazines one hundred thousand
dollars should be appropriated. In the
same connection, it is recommended
that smaller arsenals be sold and larger
arsennls be built from the proceeds of
the sales. The secretary concludes by
saying that legislation should be re-
newed giving the secretary of war pow
er to appoint competent persons to ar
range and prepare for publication Off
cial documents relating to the rebel
lion and operations of the army during |
the war.
Indian Affairs.
The secretary of the interior, in his |
animal rauork repards the situation in |