The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1874-12-10
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Synopsis of the Annual Report of Sec
rotary Belknap.

| Synopsis of the Annual Report of Sec
| rotary Belknap.
Gen. Belknap, Secretary of War, in his an
nual report, states that the actual expendi-
lures of his department for the year ending
June 80, 1878, including river and harbor
improvements, were $46, 1926, 308.21, and the
same for the last fiscal year. ending June 80.
1874, were $42, 326, 3l47i, lowing a reduction
of So, 998, 903.5O. The report contains the
| following recommendations
Monthly additions to be allowed to the
pay of officers acting as Assistant
| Quartermasters q renewal Of recommends
tions for the purchase of sites of
posts in Texas, in accordance with the
report previously made to Congress a sys-
tenn 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 Sergeant. 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
property to be covered into the Treasury as
! miscellaneous, at the expiration of each fiscal
year the law to to be so changed that appro-
priations for subsistence stores can be made
available prior to the commencement of the
fiscal year for which thew are appropriated
that provision lie made for the publ
cation of 5000 additional copies of the
g Medical and Surgical History Of the War"
Attention is called to the recommends
ton of the Chief of Engineers, ealing for an
additional appropriation for ammunition for
target firing, which is recommended. Much
larger appropriations than have heretofore
been made should be made annually for the
manufacture of arms. An increased appropri-
alton is desired for arming and equipplng the
militia. Steps should be taken to relieve the
various States from the indebtedness for arms
charged to them during the rebellion. Sales
of various arsenals, such as those at Aleghe-
ny, Columbus, Detroit, Pikesville, Watertown
and Washington, are recommended The
Springfield Armory, the Frankfort Arsenal
and q few others are recommended to be re-
tanned. The proceeds Of those sold should
be applied to the erection of one grand arsenal
for manufacturing purposes, 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
Desertion should be considered felony, cog
nizable by courts of criminal Jurisdiction
the offenders should be arrested by marshals
and deputies, like other criminals, but the
jurisdiction should be concurrent with that of
the military courts. Jurisdiction is recon-
mended 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 large appropriation for the publication
of official records OF the war of the rebellion,
both of the Union and Confederate armies is
desirs BILE. This shsuld become immediately
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 alb
sence in which full pay can be drawn should
apply to all officers stationed in the Depart
ment of Texas. Calling attention to the
names of those officers who have been sent to
the Senate for brevet appointment for serv
ice in the field of action with the Indians
the confirmation Of those brevet appoint
ments is recommended. The pay of Sergeants
should be increased. The appropriation for
permanent military prison is recommended.
Payment Of soldiers by checks is discour-
aged, and attention to the Paymaster-Gene
ais application for the appointment Of ad-
ditional 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 of Regimental
Quart and Adjutant, no reappoint-
ment should be made to those positions, but
the duties now performed by them should be
performed by detailed officers
The establishment of a Professorship of
Rhetoric and English Literature at West
Point is recommended