Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-12-17

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8.
The Secretary of War states that the actual
expenditures of TIE War Department for the
year ending June 80, 1873, including river
and harbor improvements, were S46, 325 ,30s.-
81, and the same for the last fiscal year, end
ing June 30, 1874, were $40, 1876, 3l47i, show.
ing reduction of $685., 903.50 The report
will also contain the following recommended
tions:
Monthly additions to be allowed TO the pay
of officers acting as Assistant Quartermasters;
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 Sergeants as well as nom
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-
celianeous at the expiration Of each fiscal
year, the law TO be so changed that appropria-
tons 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 and 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 manufactul eof 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
the rebellion. Sales of various arsenals, such
as those at Allegheny, Columbus, Detroit,
Pikesville, 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 nonecessity 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 nconsiderately included, and attention
Is called thereto. Desertion should be con-
sidered felony, cognizable by courts of Grim
inal jurisdiction; the offenders should be ar
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 lie
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 inn
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, as TO
the extension of time during leave OF absence
In which full pay can be drawn should apply
10 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 confirma-
ton OF those breyet 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, as formerly. When
vacancies occur In the Office oil Regimental
Ouartermaster 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
annual report. recommends the rearmament
of the navy with breeeh-loadiDg rlhed can
non, which can be done at very snlali cost
in view Of the reduced number Of ships ana
OF guns required The present types Of Tor,
eign armed cruising ships carry four ana
one-half and six inches Of arrnor, ana al
present we have no guns except the niIeen,
inch In the monitors winch wan
seriously injure the lightest Of these arrnored
vessels Substitute q seven or eight men r.
fe for the eleven-tDch smooth bore, when
even our smallest ships carry, ana lew OF
them would come off without great damage.
The Chief OF Ordinance says the receLt ex-
nerfment on the conversion OF srnooth-bore
10 rifled cannon developed no unexpected re-
suits and he does not deem IL possiple 70
convert q cast-iron smooih.bore uiso an en-
Gent rifle by ans system OF riflng.