The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-04
The Presidents Message and Other
Matters.

President has completed his message, and
it will be read at the Cabinet meeting TO-
morrow. 1t is larger this year than last
covering about eighty pages Of fools cap
1t is known in diplomatic circles that
Spain has paid to great Britain only q
part Of the idemnty on account of the
Virginius affair, leaving the remainder,
and other questions, to be hereafter ad-
justed. ,.
The President will accept the resigna.
ton OF District Judge Durell, of Loui
slana, just rendered Durell thus ter
inmates the proposed impeachment, now
pending in the house of Common Judi
ciary.
Report Of the Secretary of War.
The Secretary of War states that his
report shows the actual expenditures OF
the War department for the year ending
June 30, 1873, including river and harbor
improvements, were Si6,325, 3O5.2l and
the same for the last fiscal year ending
June 30, 1874, S42, 326, 3l4.7l, showing n
reduction of $3,99S,993.50. The report
will also contain the following recon-
mendations; monthly additions to be AL
lowed to pay officers acting as Assistant
Quarter Masters, renewal of the recoIn-
mendations for the purchase of sites OF
posts in Texas in accordance with the re-
port previously male to Congies;
system OF mileage and payment of
officers and employees travelling on duty
to be restored in lieu Of actual expenses
as now allowed under the law of last
year; that private soldiers be permitted
to compete for the position of Commis-
sary Sergeants rs well rs nOn-commls-
stoned officers; exemption Of subsistence
stores from the operation of the law re-
quiring the proceeds Of sales Of public
property to be covered into the treasury
as miscellaneous at the expiration OF each
fiscal ycar-thc law to be 50 changed
that appropriations for subSist-
ence stores can bc made avail
able prior to the commencement
of the fiscal year for which they are APP
propriated; that provision be made for
the publication Of 5000 additional copies
of the medical and surgical history o! the
war. Attention is called to the recon-
mendation of the Chief of Engineers,
that an additional appropriation for am
unition for target firing is recommended;
Il much larger appropriation than has
heretofore been made should be made
for the manufacture o! arms;
Nm increased appropriation is desired for
arming and equipping militia; steps to
be taken to relieve the various States
from Indebtedness for arms, charge to
them during the rcbcllion; the sales Of
various arsenals such rs Allegheny,
Columbus, Detroit, Pikesvillc, Water
town and Washington are recommend
ed. The Springfield armory and the
Frankfort Arsenal and few Others are
to be retained. The pro-
cceds of those sold are TO be applied 10
the erection Of one grand Arsenal for
purposes, and to bc es.
tablishcd near New York. The pro-
ceeds of the sales of those would be amply
sufficient for that purpose, and there Is
no necessity for their retention.
A powder depot and experimental
grounds for testing heavy ordinance is
estimated for; the revised statutes enact
I'd into law at the last session OF Con-
rrcss included much obsolete legislation
which has been incOnsidcratrly included
and attention is called thereto; dcsertion
10 be considered felony cognizablc by
courts of criminal jurisdiction, the Offend
,rs to be arrested by mar>halS and dcpu-
ties like other criminals, but jurisdic-
ton to be concurrent with that
Of military court; jurisdiction recon-
mcndcd to be conferred on military tri
bunalS over military person, charged
with murder and other frlonics.
Of the Army Discouraged.
4 reduction of the army is discouraged
1t present \ reduction of the number
pf men without reduction of officers
and posts, is not economical. y larger
for the publication of the
ptficial records of the war of the rebel
ion. both of the Union and Confederate
armies, is desrabie-this should
become Immediately available; the
President to be authorized to
drop from the rolls Of the "tlicers Of the
army those who Intentionally and Crmi-
nallv duplicate their pay accounts, or. III
other words, present accounts for the
same month more than once and obtain
payment therefore; provision Is made
in the act of May, 1874. as to the cXten-
sion of the time during which leave of
ABSENCE in which full pay can be drawn,
~ as to apply to all officers stationed IN
he department of Texas; calling attcn-
ion to the names Of those officers who
have been sent to the Senate for brevct
for services in the field in
,ction with the Indians, and the Confr-
nation of those brevet appointments is
-ccummendcd; the pay of Sergcants TO
be increased. An appropriation for per-
nancnt military prison is recommended;
he payment of soldiers by checks Is dis
attention 10 the Paymast"r
Generals application for the appoint
ment of additional paymssters is invited:
for walls and lodges at
certain National Cemetries Is recommend
I'd The recommendation made that
he bill which passed the
House of Representative author
zing the President 70 establish
a regulation for the army, TO be taken up
md passed by the Senate; boys t. be en-
listed n field musicians, A. formerly.
When vacancies occur in the offices Of
Quarter Master and Adju-
ant, no re-apppointment i to he made,
but the duties now performed by them,
IS to be performed BY detailed officers.
The establishment of the PrOfessnrship
of Rhetoric and English literature at
" est Point, was recommended.
Attorney Generals Report.
WAsHINGToS, December a--The At
torney Generals annual report shows
hat there were judgments during the
fiscal year, in civil suits, in favor of the
L Cnited States of s, 2,O2l, 70i; amount sc;u.
Ally realized, 1857, 1872. OF the criminal
cases, COL, were terminated, including
, 623 convictions. OF winch l02 out of
a86. were under the enforcement acts
The total number Of suits 10 which the
United States is not party. is 1874, Of
which ii, 490 have terminated judgment
being TO the amount of Sl0, 500. 62i. The
oxr.naas Of Mar.h.lsr Ennamls.inrs srS