The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-12-17

Excess Of next years estimates over
this years appropriations,
3.N6.h77 80

this years ppropriations........... 3,9O6577 80
In the act making appropriations for the
support OF the Army, approved June 16, 1874,
$l05, 900 was allowed for recruiting purposes,
and it was provided that ono money appro-
priated by this act shall be paid for recruit
ing the Army beyond the number of twenty
five thousand enlisted men, including Indian
scouts"
This appropriation the Secretary regards
as insufficient, and recommends that the APP
preparation for pay, clothing, and subsist-
ence be made for the army upon basis of
thirty thousand men.
BY the strictest economy, amounting almost
to privation, the cutting off of some allow
ances to which the troops were entitled by
law and regulation, the expenditures for the
Quartermaster's Department have been kept
within the appropriations. The Secretary
suggests, in consideration of the fact that
there are five thousand buildings to be kept
in repair in this department., and that the
army in many places is badly sheltered, and
that the incidental expenses of the Quar-
termaster's Department" are inadequate to
the service, and the health and comfort of
troops, that the amount estimated for the
next fiscal year be appropriated in full. He
recommends the passage of an act to fix the
first day Of May as the beginning of the fiscal
year, as it would relieve this department from
embarrassment, would afford ample time for
the perfection of the appropriation bills in
Congress, and give the service the advantage
of a full and uninterrupted season of work.
For the better care and protection of SUBJ
sistence supplies, the last Congress author
lied the selection from sergeants of the line
of as may commissary sergeants as the SER
vice might require, not to exceed one for
each military post, and il is now recon
mended that a similar provision be made for
the care of quartermasters' property by the
passage of an act authorizing the selection of
post-quartermaster sergeants. These SER
geants would perform duties now undertaken
by hired civilians, and would cost less to
the Government than the latter, while at the
same time the Government would derive all
the advantage of their experience, as well as
being able to control them by military au-
thority and discipline.
Attention is called to the expediency of
granting to the officers of the line detailed
to act as assistant quartermasters, and to dis
burse money and be responsible for proper
ty, monthly allowance, such as is paid to
officers who act as assistant commissaries.
The United States holds no public lands
reserved for military sites in the State of
Texas, hence the posts needed for the de-
Tense of the settlers against the savages
have, in almost all cases, been located and
constructed on lands which have, since their
occupation by the troops, been entered by
spectators in State lands.
The owners press for purchase, and only
lease for heavy rents. The buildings erected
to shelter the garrisons, though rude and
temporary in character, have cost large sums
of money, and they are liable to be lost to
the United States for want of title to the
sites. The act of 18th March, 1873 ~ Statutes,
page Ga, was passed to provide a remedy
for this state of things by purchase of suit
able sites. Under its provisions a board of
officers has examined into all the cases of
importance. Its report was in accordance
with the law transmitted to Congress on the
10th 10th Of a.o May, 1874, and printed in E1.
1S' 2Ss asked Aa appropriation . Of scs
titles but no action was had e at '" the
last session. II is very important that this
appropriation be made at the earliest day.
and that the United States be relieved from
its present position of tresspasser on the
private property of its citizens in Texas.
On the 30th OF June, 1873, there remained
due and unpaid on account of principal in
terest, and expenses of indebted railroads in
the South and Southwest, $4,65s, 924.07. Dur.
ing the fiscal year interest has accrued and
expenses been incurred on these accounts to
the amount Of sos, 479.T. Payments in cash
and in transportation and postal earnings
have been collected to the amount of S116,-
790.91. Under the act of Sd Of March, 1871,
compromise has been made with certain
roads whose debt was 1900, 470.60. These
compromises were made as provided in the
law, under the advice of counsel of the
United States In the suits pending against
the roads TO recover the sums due by them.
The sum to be paid at the Office Of the As
sistant Treasurer Of the United States in
New York ultimately is 81, 265000. The to-
tai collections on account Of these sales have
been, from the origin of the account, 81, 240,-
1884. Thirty-four roads have paid off
their debt In full sixteen still remain in
debted to the United States.
The line Of military telegraph from San
Arizonia, provided for by the act OF 1873,
which appropriated, upon an estimate Of this
Department, $50,3I1.s0 for its construction,
was built by labor Of troops.
The cost Of the line has been more than
repaid In the saving Of expense and loss in