The anti-monopolist., 1874-12-10
THE WAR Department.

that the actual expenditure oi
the war department for the year
ending June Goth, 1873, including river
and harbor improvements, were S4o,-
.325,308.2l, and that the same for the
last fiscal year, ending June 3Oth, 1874,
were $40, 1876. .3l4.1l; showing reduc-
ton of S3,99o, ,993.5O.
The report will also contain the fol-
lowing recommendations
Monthly additions to be allowed to
the pay off officers acting as Assistant
Quartermasters.
Renewal of recommendations for the
purchase oc sites Of the posts in Texas
in accordance with report previously
made to Congress.
The syste.-. 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 commlssary
sergeants, as well as non commissioned
officers.
The exemption Of subsistence stores
from the operation of laws requiring
the proceeds of sale of public property
to be covered into the treasury as mis-
cellaneous, at the expiration OF each
fiscal year, the law to be SO cnangeo
that appropriations for subsistence
stores can be made available prior to
the commencement of the fiscal year
for which they are appropriated.
That provision be made for the pub
lication of 5000 additional copies OF the
medical and surgical history Of the
war.
Attention is called to recommen-
dation of the Chief of Engineers that an
additional appropriation for ammuni-
tion for target firing.
Much laager appropriations than
have heretofore been made should be
made annually for the manufacture OF
arms.
An increased appropriation is desired
Cor arming and equipping militia.
Steps should be taken to relieve the
various States from Indebtedness for
arms charged to them during the rebel
hon.
The sales of various arsenals,
such as those Of Allegheny,
Columbus, Detroit. Pikesvllle,
Watertown and Washington, are re-
commended. The Springfield armory,
Frankfort arsenal and few others
are recommended to be retained.
The proceeds of those sold are to be
applied to the erection of one grand
arsenal for manufacturing purposes, to
be established near New York. The
proceeds of 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 ordinance is
estimated for.
The revised statutes enacted into
law at the last session of Congress IN
cluded much obsolete legislation, which
has been inconsidcrately included. At
tention is called thereto.
Desertion to be considered solely
csgnizable by courts of criminal juris
diction. Offenders to be arrested by
marshals and deputies, like other
criminals, but jurisdiction to be con-
current with that of military courts
Jurisdiction is recommended to bt
conferred on military tribunals over
military persons charged with murder
and other felonies.
Reduction of the army is discouraged
at present. a reduction of the numbel
Of men, without reduction of officer
and posts is not economical.
A larger appropriation for publica
ton of the official records of the war o
the rebellion, both of the union ant
confederate armies, is desirable. Thi.
should become Immediately available
The President to be authorized t
drop ircm the rolls o. officers of tn
army those who Intentionally and Grim
inally duplicate their pay accounts
In other words present accounts fol
some months more than once and OBJ
tam payment thereon.
The provisions of the act Of May
1874, as to extension of time during
leave of absence in which full pay car
be drawn, to apply to all officers sta
toned in the department of Texas.
Calling attention 10 the names o
those officers who have been sent in fol
brcvet appointment for service in tn,
field in action with the Indians. Con
firmation of those brevet appointment
Is recommended.
The pay of sergeants to be increas
ed.
An appropriation for a permanen
military prison recommended.
Payment of soldiers by checks dis
rcouraged and attention asked to tn
paymaster generals application for ap
pointment of additional paymasters.
APPROPRIATIONS for walls and lodge
at certain national cemeteries reco m
mended.
Recommendation made that the bill
which passed the House Of Representa-
tives author izing the President to es
tablish regulations for the army, b
taken up and passed by the Senate.
Boys to be enlisted as field musician
as formerly.
When vacancies occur in the office
of regimental quartermaSter and aaju
tant. no reappointments to be made &
this position. but the duties now per
formed by them to be performed BY de
tailed officers.
The establishment o. proiessorshi
of rhetoric and English literature a
West Point recommended.
-Twenty-one lives were lost on tn
Scottish coast during gale of Satu,
day and Sunday.
ssu.1~s b~~c~e- r~xbnh1- l..