The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-12-04

It Is known in diplomatic circles thai
Spain has paid TO Great Britain only q
part Of the indemnity on account OF the
Virginius affair, leaving the remainder
and other questions TO be hereafter ad-
justed.
RRsIaNATIoN OF JUDGE DURELL.
No one doubts that the President will
accept the resignation oil District Judge
Durell, Of Louisiana, just rendered.
Durell thus terminates the proposed i'm
peachment pending in the House Com
mittee on Judiciary. H.
POSTAL APPOINTMENT.
The President appointed Chauncy B.
Saline, Postmaster at Galveston, Texas.
ALABAMA CLAIMS COMMISSION.
The Court OF Commissioners Of Alabs.
ma claims reassembled to-day. All were
present except Ryerson, who was detaIn-
ed at home by illness. A large number Of
Attorneys were present. Tho Calendar
was called to ascertain the condition Of
each case, and several demurrers will be
argued tomorrow. There Is no case yet
ready to be tried on testimony. Several
new rules were proposed by counsel a..
iecting tho sufaciency Of evidence, and
are now open for argument. Another
point to be determined is, whether Bri.
tish subject, serving as seaman on board
OF captured vessel is entitled to indem-
nifty.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
The Secretary oil War states that bis
report shows that the actual expenditures
OF the War Department for the year end.
ing June 30, 1878, including river and
hArbor improvements, were SAC, 1925, ,30s.
81, and the same for the last fiscal year,
ending June 80, 1874, were $42 326,914'
II, showing reduction Of $399S, ,993 90.
The report will also contain the follow.
ing recommendations Monthly addi.
tiOns TO be allowed pay officers acting as
assistant quartermSsters; renewal Of re-
Communications Tor the purchase OF the
sites Of posts in Texas, in accordance
with o report previously made to Con-
gress; that the system OF mileage and
payment Of officers and employees traV-
cling on duty be restored, in lieu Of the
actual expenses now allowed under the
law Of last year; that private soldiers be
permitted 10 compete ior the position of
Commisssry Sergcants as well as non.
commissioned officers; the exemption Of
subsistence stores from the operation Of
the law requiring the proceeds Of sales oi
public property to be handed into the
Treasury under the head ot miscellaneous
at the. expiration OF each fiscal year, the
law to be so changed that the appropris,
tons for subsistive stores can be made
available prior TO the commencement Of
the fiscal year for which they are appro-
pristed; that provision be made for the
publication Of 5000 additional copies Of
the Medical and Surgical History Of the
War. Attention is called 10 the recon.
mendation Of the Chief OF Engineers, for
an additional appropriation for target
firing. It Is recommended that a much
larger appropriation than has heretofore
been made should be made annually for
the manufacture OF arms: an increased
appropriation is desired for arming and
equipping militia; steps TO be taken to
relieve various States from Indebtedness
Tor arms charged to them during the re.
bellion. The sales of arsenals, such as
Allegheny, Columbus, Detroit, Pikesville,
Watertown and Washington are recon-
mended; Springfield Armory, Frankfort
Arsenal and few others are recon-
mended 10 be retained; the proceeds Of
those sold to be applied to the erection Of
one grand arsenal Tor manufacturing pur-
pose to be established near New York.
The proceeds Of the sales oil those named
would be amply sufficient for that pur-
pose and there is no necessity for their re-
tention.
The powder depot and experimental
grounds for testing heavy ordnance is
estimated for. The revised statutes enact.
ed into the law at the last session OF Con.
gress, included much obsolete legislation,
which has been inconsiderately included,
Attention Is called thereto: Desertion 10
be considered felony, Cognizsblo by
the courts Of criminal jurisdiction; the OF.
Tenders 10 be arrested by msrshals and
deputies, like other criminals, but tho
Jurisdiction to be concurrent with that oil
the military courts. Jurisdiction is re-
commended 10 be conferred on military
tribunals over military persons charged
with murder and other felonies. The Ie-
duction Of the army is discouraged at
present. The reduction Of the number Of
men without reduction Of officers and
posts Is not economical. A larger appro.
priation for the publication Of official re.
cords OF the war and rebellion both Of the
Union and Confederate armies Is desirable.
This should become Immediately avsila,
bic. The President 10 be authorized to
drop from the rolls Of 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 pay
ment thereon. The provisions Of the act
OF May, 1874. as to extension OF time dur
Ing leave ol absence in which tull pay can
be drawn, TO apply to all officers stationed
In the Department Of Texas; calling stten.
ton 10 the names Of those officers who
have been sent 10 the Senate for brevGt
appointment for service in the field In &C.
,tons with the Indians; the confirmation
OF those brevet appointments is recon.
mended; tho pay Of sergeants 10 be in.
creased; an appropriation for permanent
military prison recommended; payment Of
OF eolders by checks discouraged. and
attention to the Psymsster Generals ap-
plication for the appointment Of addition.
al Psymssters invited. Appropriations
for walls and lodges at certain National
Cemeteries recommended. A recon-.
mendation was made that the bill which
passed the House Of Representatives au.
thorizing the President to establish regu-
lations for the army, be taken up and pass.
ed by the Senate. Boys to be enlisted as
field musicians as formerly. When va.
cancies occur In the office Of Regimental
Qusrtermasier and Adjutant, no reap.
pointment 20 be made to these positions,
but the duties now performed by them 10
be performed by detailed officers. The
establishment offs Proiessorshlp ol Rhe.
toric and English Literature at West