Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1874-12-10
Report of the secretary of War.

Inc secretary OF War states that his
report shows that the actual eXpendi-
lures of the War Department for the
year ending June 80, 1873, including
river and harbor Improvements, were
SAC, ,325, ,308.21, and the same for the last
fiscal year, ending June 80, 1874, were
81, ,326, BAH, showing reduction of
s., ,99S, ,993.50. The. report will also
contain the following recommends
tiOns: Monthly additions to be allow
ed pay officers ectlng as assistant quar-
termasters; renewal eff recommends
! tions for the purc'ase of the sites of
| posts in Texas, in accordance with re-
port previously made to Congress; that
the system of mileage and payment of
officers and employees travelling on du-
/ ty be restored, in lieu of the actual ex-
/ penses now allowed under the law of
last year; that private soldiers be per-
mltted to compete for the position of
! Commlssary Sergeants as well as nom
com missioned officers; the exemption
OF subsistence stores from the operation
OF the law requiring the proceeds of
sales OF public property to be handed
into the Treasury under the bead of
miscellaneous at the expiration of each
fiscal year, the law to be so changed
NAiht bhS lOl SuDSiSLiNc
stores can be made available prior to
the commencement of the fiscal year
for which they are appropriated; that
provision be made for the publication
of 5000 additional copies of the Medi.
cal and Surgical History of the War.
Attention is called to the recommends
ton of the Chief of Engineers, for an
additional appropriation for target f.
III tnnTo6 thot
larger appropriation than has hereto
fore been made should be made annu-
ally for the manufacture of arms; an
increased appropriation is desired for
arining and equipping militia; steps to
be taken to relieve various States from
Indebtedness for arms charged to them
during the rebellion. The sales of ar
senal-, such AS Allegheny, Columbus.
Detroit, Pikesvills, Watertown and
Washington are recommended;S Spring
field ArmOry, Frankfort Arsenal and |
few others are recommended to be re-
tanned; the proceeds of those sold to be |
applied to the erection of one grand |
arsenal for manufacturing purpose to |
be established near New York. The |
proceeds of the sales of those named |
would be amply sufficient for that pur-
pose and there is no necessity for their |
retention.
The powder depot and experimental 7
grounds for testing heavy ordnance is
estimated for. The revised statutes
enacted into the law at the last session
OF Congress, included much obsolete
legislation, which has been inconsider-
ately included. Attention is called
thereto. DesertiOn to be considered
felony, cognizable by the courts of
criminal jurisdictions; the offenders to
be arrested by marshals and deputies,
like other criminals, but the jurisdic-
ton to be concurrent with that of the
military courts. Jurisdiction is re-
commended to he conferred on militia
ry tribunals over military persons char
ged with murder and other fefonieS.
The reduction of the army is discour-
aged at present. The reduction of the
number of men without reduction of
officers and posts is not economical. A
larger appropriation for the publication
of official records of the war and rebel
lion both of the Union and Confederate
is desirable. This should be-
come Immediately available. The Pres.
ident to be authorized to drop from
the rolls of officers of the army those
who Intentionally and criminally du-
plicate their pay accounts; in other
words present accounts for the same ,
month more than once and obtain pay
ment thereon. The provisions of the I
act OF May, 1874, as to extension of
time during leave of absence in which {
full pay can be drawn, to apply to all
officers stationed in the Department of
Texas; calling attention to the pames {
Df those officers who have been sent to 1
The Senate for brevet appointment for {
service in the field in actions with the '
Indians; the confirmation of those '
1revet appointments is recommended;
he pay of sergeants to be increased; s
IN appropriation fora permanent mill {
AIRY prison recommended; payment of !
soldiers by checks discouraged, and at +
ention to the Paymaster Generals
application for the appointment of adj 4
iitional PaymasterS invited. Appro- I
)rlations for walls and lodges at GER
ain National Cemeteries recommend
ID. a recommendation was made
hat the bill which passed the House
u Representatives authoriziHgS~t the
resident to establish regulations for s
he army, be taken up and passed by +
ne Senate. Boys to be enlisted as s
leld musicians as formerly. When t
'acancies occur in the office of Regi- '
mental Qurtermaster and Adjutant, no I
eappOinment to be made to these DO s
itionsf but the duties now performed
" them to be performed by detailed !
'fficers. The establishment of a Pro- G
essorship of Rhetoric and English Lit r
nature at West Point, recommended. /
OHIO NEWS. 1