National Republican., 1873-12-01
THE WAR DEPARTMENT..
SECRETARY BsLkS,rs ANNUAL REPORT

Varisus Suggestions and Hecommeudstieus
Tho Department and the Railroads
River aud nsrbor Imprevcmeats-Tho
sisuel Service Reports -Onlcisi Decu-
meuts OF the Rebellion.
Tho annual report OF the Secretary OF War
shows that the estimates for military purposes
for the year ending June 30, is'a, were ga. $40,
sIs.Is. The estimates for the same purpose for |
the year ending June 90 isi5, are t9i, 40, T9aso;
the excess Of the next year over the current one
being t5st, Sail. The appropriation for military |
purposes for the year ending June 30, isTt, were
sa2, 2,giT,pJ1.9r. |
IL has been the custom Of Congress, from time |
20 timo, TO reduce the estimates Of the Depart |
ment. have endeavored, aided by the officers
Of the Department and Of the army, TO Keep the
expenditures within the limit prescribed by Con- |
aress, but experience has shown that the
amounts previously asked for, based on data
carefully prepared by the chiefs Of bureaus, after
ample consideration, were necessary for the
Management OF the Department.
In addition to the usual estimates already
naplcd the following are submitted for such ac-
tion as Congress may deem proper 70 take
Armamen. Q. lor ~ M ,s99oO w estimates lot en-
IL win be observed that among the estimates
for the War Department for the next as well as
asked for which should not be classed under
those for the support OF the army proper. For
Instance, those Tor the observation and report of
storms; the Freedmens hospital; the settlement
Of claims for horses lost In the military service;
the collection and payment OF bounty 10 oolored
soldlersi military telegraph lines in different
penses incurred In raising volunteers; signal
stations At lighthouses; armlng and equlpplng
the militia, and numerous other subjects Of IKE
leaitimately be charged as being for the current
uses Of the military establishment.
critical examination OF these expenditures,
some Of them authorized by Congress witnout
any Recommendation on the part OF this Depart
ment, will show that the total expenditures are
largely In excess Of the amount absolutely neces-
VARY for the actual requirements OF the army
The act Of March ., ,s5a, for the establishment
meet any of Inc expenses necessary TO carry il
into effect. In order, however, that no time
might be lost preliminary board, composed
only OF army offlcerr, was constituted to collect
Information and material for commencing more
definite labor upon the plan so soon as Congress
should appr9Prsse, , ne means ThS hoard In
more than was anticipated; and, fortunately,
two gentlemen from civil life, who have devoted
peiormatoTy % S prison discipline have been % found nd
willing TO give share Of their tinc gratuitousy,
until the appropriation shall be made, TO the
military prison. This has enabled me 70 carry y
out the provisions Of the second section OF the
act, BY appointing the board therein prescribed
Their report will form the subject Of future
special communication to Congress.
He recommends that better facilities to OBJ
tain field musicians be afforded by the passage
OF an act authorizing the enlistment of boys not
under twelve years Of age, with consent OF pa
rents or guardians, and says: IL Is unnecessary tc
allude 70 notorious cases Of efficient service b,
music boys, even on the field OF battle, to Illus.
trAte their perfect competency for all the dutie,
required OF musicians. While they make tn,
best musicians, they generally, at more ad
vanced age, have become most valuable non
commissioned officers rs the fruit Of their carl
training. This plan has, too, the merit OF bein
many sons OF old soldiers, living and dead, VIII
now are without aim or object In life, and q
danger Of becoming worthless men, but who,
enlisted, would have the benefit not only Q
tuition In music, but also In the useful comino
branches OF education taught at the depot schoo
Tue subject OF the discharge OF minors VIII
have enlisted In the army has been perplexlD
one. The most stringent prohibitions have bee
laid upon recruiting officers, and whenever
minor has passed from the rendezvous TO th
depot and Ia there detected by the examinln
board, he Is sure To be at once discharged. I
spite OF every prccaution a large number
young men, minors In the eye OF the law, but ~
iually men who have been practically their ow
masters for q considerable time, do pass then
selves a. OF full age, freely take the oath TO ths
sS emsS- as rs emoodiea ra IN ne contract Of enlis
pense, to regiments. Here. on the. least dissa
isfaction, or after commission OF some crime II
colving punishment they forthwith write to III
parents, who have hitherto, perhaps, bestowe
but little care upon them, and moving appe
Is made to the Department for their discharg
Department has judged that It had no dlscretiG
left, and when the proof OF minority Is clea
and the consent Of parent or guardian has n,
since the passage OF the act referred TO, and d
70 June 30, 1873, 2o6 applications for dschar,
from this cause have been received. Great O.
pense TO the Government, rs well as frequeI
evasion OF punishment, and consequent disc
ganixation OF necessary military discipline,
,sereov ,h ~ caused; & nor Is me ostens!bls object
cause the latter 10 discharged hundreds Of mil
from home. and even II disposed to retur
which Is seldom the case, has not tue pecunla
He suggests that some action be taken iowa
the passage OF positive law TO punish recruI
ing to their age or hysical condition. and saw
In my Judgment he should be immediate
turned over 10 the proper tribunal, and the Ul
crut may have committed the offence should
required to prosecute him for the false oath
mas taken ana for the great expense he has give
The practice, which prevailed to a consde
able extent, OF army officers visiting the seat
government during the session Of Congress, q
tempting 70 influence legislation by interyewli
members OF Congress, and presenting busIne
which should only be brought to their attenti,
nsrsma roTgn the me. head o. the Executive Departmer
lsls, caused an order TO be issued dlrectil
that no ON &c, either active or retired, sha
'heSby VI huItItilt WltIOut DelnK called
by proper authority, solicit, suggest or reed,
mend action by members OF Congress Tor
against military Affairs, The necessity for th
frequently brought the subject to my attentio
and have made complaint, very Justly, Of Ii
persistent efforts made with them personally
,aauence their views on legislation. The or,Ie
M n itself says, Is not intended to preclu,
oncers from Illustrating or expounding inca
% ,e ,onn eei0re O. Congress which may have receive
of War, or the General OF the Army. The exp
Ilence OF officers when so used Is and Will [
saewea as valuable, but II was and Is intended
restrain officers from urging views in an il
proper manner upon members OF Congress nj
IN consuming the time VI those intrusted wi
That order will be enforced so far as il iles vii
In my power and authority to accomplish H.
He next refers TO his tour Of inspect,
with Lieut. Gen. Sheridan last spring, and snea
~ hign terms OF the efficiency and good ca
duct Of the troops there stationed, kt seyeI
OF these posts where both white and color
were stationed, the general good conduct n
nne military appearance Of all the troops co,
posing the garrisons were prominent to a marx
In section "a OF the act Of July Ia, 1870. the N
o. omcers Of the army was estiblished, and II
.,,,, vs,on was made that the sums therein specid
snouiu Oe In full OF all commutation OF atiartel
Iusi, forage, servant hire and clothing, lonreyi
Iaiions, anu all allowances OF every name a
he M, ,as,er syef ana SHOULD ee paid monthly
70 uenne ne scope OF this provision, whether
mintended TO include certain things. sneh
transportation In kind OF onicers' servan,
transportation Of officers horses and Laggau
authorized In regulations before rs passase i,
not reid 70 be emoluments, or does Ii haye r,
ersnce simply 10 the aoney allowances then
ceved by Officers OF the army
during the past year the i've Inspectors zen
raj OF the army have made careful and thoron,
Inspections Of the South, the departtnents
Texas, OF the Missouri, OF the Cult OF ATizop
ofDakota, aid Of the Columbia, except h'asl
In the departments Of Arizona, Texas. Uako
aud the Columbia thorough exarirstlon W,
inAde INTO tue condition OF the psy.onneI spl M
,eIiA OF the Amy at all the remote and v lie
uispersed posts, stations and depots Witbi, n
nnits o. those departments, with the excsptis
VI AAskaD embracing one hundred and seyrl
.esn mliltary posts, garrlsoned by eighteen res
nens OF infantry, seventeen com palles OF nj
,ey anu eight regiments OF cavalry. Scr,,tini
Jug exAmlnations have been made 6y the insne
ton general OF the accounts OF ali unlpers ~
hhve Iuade Important disbursemsnts of nuhi
money during the year. The funds received mr.
expcnued by them, with the balances renorts
lue the United States, have been carefnily We,
meu Dy omclal statements received from nj
Ireesury Department and repositories. and M
uer this system IL Is hardly possible that n dem
csiion OF fraud on the part OF dlsbursinp once
Vi tnh department can escape timely detectio
since the close OF the war, In the Ouarterma
Is department. much time and labor ha,
DestOKa1 fha