Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-12-10
The War Department.
WASHINGTON. Dec. s.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.
The Secretary of War states that the actual
expenditures of the War Department for the
year ending June 30, 1878, including river
and harbor improvements, were SAT, 325 ,S0S.-
2l and the same for the last fiscal year. end
ing June 80, 1874, were S42,326, BAH, show
ing reduction of $685., 9OS.50. The report
will also contain the following recommends
tons:
Monthly additions to be allowed to the pay
of officers acting as Assistant Quartermasters;
a renewal of recommendations for the
purchase OF sites of posts in Texas,
In accordance with the report previous
ly made to Congress; system
of mileage, and the payment of officers and
employees travelling on duty TO be restored, in
lieu OF the actual expenses, as now allowed
under the law OF last year; that private sol
diers be permitted to compete for the posi-
ton OF Commissary Sergcants as well as non
commissioned officers; the exemption OF sub
sistence stores from the operation Of the law
requiring the proceeds of sales Of public prop
erty to be covered into the Treasury as mis-
cellaneous at the expiration of each fiscal
year, the law to be 50 changed that appropria-
tions for subsistence stores can be made avail
able prior to the commencement of the fiscal
year for which they are Appropriated that
provision be made for the publication of 5000
additional copies Of the Medical ard Surgical
History OF the War. Attention is called to
the recommendation of the Chief of Engi-
neers for an additional appropriation for
ammunition for target. firing, which is recon.
mended. Much larger appropriations than
have heretofore been made should be made
annually, for the manufacture of arms. An
increased appropriation Is desired for arming
and equipping the militia. Steps should be
taken to relieve the various States from the in.
debtedness for arms charged to them during
la. hall Al ~
as those at Allegheny, Columbus, Detroit,
PikesvilIc, WATERFOWL and Washington, are
recommended. The Springfield Armory, the
Frankfort Arsenal and few others are
recommended to be retained. The proceeds
of those sold should be applied to the erection
OF one grand arsenal for manufacturing pur.
poses, to be established near New York. The
proceeds OF the sales of those named would
be amply sufficient for that purpose, and there
is no necessity for their retention.
A powder depot and experimental grounds,
for testing heavy ordnance, are estimated for
The revised statutes which were enacted
Into law at the last session of Congress in
cluded much absolute Legislation, which has
been inconsidcrately included, and attention
is called thereto. Desertion should be con-
sidered felony, cognizable by courts of Grim
rested by Marshals and deputies, like other
criminals, but the jurisdiction should be con-
current with that OF the military courts. Ju-
risdiction Is recommended to be conferred on
military persons charged with murder and
other felonies.
The reduction of the army is discouraged at
present. A reduction Of the number of men
without reduction OF officers and posts Is
not economical.
A larger appropriation for the publication
of official records Of the war of the REBEL
ion, both Of the Union and Confederate
armies, is desirable. This should become i'm.
mediately available. The President should
be authorized to drop from the rolls of the
officers OF the army those who Intentionally
and criminally duplicate their pay accounts
In other words present accounts for the same
month more than once and obtain payment
thereon.
The provisions of the act Of May, 1874, rs TO
the extension of time during leave of absence
in which full pay can be drawn should apply
to all officers stationed In the Department Of
Texas. Calling attention to the names of
those officers who have been sent to the Sen.
ate for brevet appointment for service in the
field in action with the Indians, the confrma-
ton of those brcvet appointment is recon-
mended. The pay of Sergeants should be in
creased An appropriation for permanent
military prison is recommended.
Payment of soldiers by checks is discour-
aged, and attention to the Paymaster-
Generals application for the appointment OF
additional Paymasters is invited.
Appropriations for walls and lodges at GER
tain national cemeteries are recommended.
The recommendation Is made that the bill
which passed the House Of Representatives
authorizing the President to establish regu-
lation for the army should be taken up and
passed by the Senate. Boys should be en-
listed as field musicians, rs formerly. When
vacancies occur In the Office Of Rcgimental
Quartermaster and Adjutant, no reappoint-
ment should be made to these positions, but
the duties now performed by them should be
performed by detailed officers.
The establishment of professorship Of
rhetoric and English literature at West
Point is recommended.
THE ORDNANCE BUREAU.
The Chief Of the Bureau Of Ordnance, in his
of the navy with breech- loading ritied can
non, which can be done at very small cost
in view Of the reduced number OF ships and
Of guns required. The present types of for
eign armed cruising ships carry four and
one half and six inches Of armor, and at
present we have no guns except the fifteen
inch in the monitors which viii
seriously injure the lghtest Of these armored
vessels. Substitute Il seven or eight inch RI
fle for the eeven-inch smooth bore, which
even our smallest ships carry, and few OF
them would come off without great damage
The Chief of Ordinance says the recent ex-
pertinent on the conversion Of smooth-borc
TO rifed cannon developed no unexpected re-
suits, and he does not deem 1t possible to
convert a cast-iron smootb-bore into an ELI
cient rifle by any system Of ritling.
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