American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-12-19

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8.
The Secretary Of War states that the actual
expenditures of the War De partmcnt for the
year ending June 30, 1878, including rive
and harbor Improvements, were SAG, 81, 30S.
81, and the same for the last fiscal year, end
ing June 30 1874, were 81, ::ss26, 3l4 II, show
ing Il reduction Of 80 99S, 903.50 The report
will also contain the following recommenda-
tons:
Monthly additions to be allowed to the pay
of officers acting as Assistant Quartermas-
tiers; renewal Of recommendations for the
purchase of sites of posts in Texas, in
accordance with the report previously
made to Congress; syetem of mile
age, and the payment Of officers and
lieu Of the actual expenses, as n.w 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 prop
erty to be covered into the Treasury as mis-
celaneous at the expiration OF each fiscal
year; the law to be SO changed that appropria-
lions for Subsistence stores can be made avail
able 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 Medical and Surgical
History Of the War. Attention is called to
the Recommendation of the Chief of Engi-
neers for an additional appropriation for am
munition for targetfring, which is recon-
mended. Much larger appropriations than
nave heretofore been maze should be made
annually for the manufacture OF arms. An
increased appropriation is desired for arming
and equipping the militia. Steps should b
taken to relieve the various States from the in
debtedness for arms charged to them during
the rebellion. Sales of various arsenals, such
as those at Allegheny, Columbus. Detroit,
Pikesville, WATERFOWL and Washington, are
recommended. The Springfield Armory, the
Frankfort Arsenal and a few others are
recommended to be retained. The proceeds
of those sold should be applied to the erection
of one grand arsenal for manufacturing pur-
poses, 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.
powder depot and experimental grounds,
for testing heavy ordnance, are estimated for
The revised statutes which were enacted
into law at the last session of Congress in
Guided much absolute legislation, which has
been inconsiderately included, and attention
is called thereto. Desertion should be con-
sidered felony, cognizsble by courts of GRIM
inal jurisdiction; the offenders should be ar
rested by Marshals and deputies, like other
b criminals, but the jurisdiction should be con-
current with that of the military courts. Jul
risdiction ia recommended to be conferred on
military persons charged with murder and
other felouies.
The reduction of the army is discouraged
at present. A reduction of the number OF
men without a reduction Of officers and posts
is not economical
A larger appropriation for the publication
of official records of the war Of the rebellion,
both of the Union and Confederate armies, is
desirable. This should become Immediately
available. The President should be author
lied TO drop from the rolls of the officers of
the army those who Intentionally and GRIM
inally duplicate their y-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 absence
in which fun pay can be drawn should apply
to all officers stationed in the Department of
IT,. fall Aft TOW 10, <aE
those officers who have been sent to the Sen
ate for brevet appointment for service in the
field in action with the Indians, the confirma-
ton of those brevet appointments is recon-
creased. An appropriation for permanent
military prison is recommended.
Payment of soldiers by checks is discour-
aged, and attention to the Paymaster- GeDer-
ais application for the appointment OF addi-
tionaf 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
Quartermaster and Adjutanf, no reappoint-
ment should be made to these positions, but
the duties now performed by them should be
performed by dethiled officers.
The establishment of professorship OF
rhetoric and English literature at West Point
is recommended.
THE ORDNANCE BUREAU.
The Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance, In
his annual report, recommends the rearma-
ment of the navy with bree h-loading riisd
cannon, which can be done at o very small
cost in view of the reduced number OF ships
and of gums required The present types Of
foreign armed cruising ships carry four and
one-half and six inches of armor, and at
present We have no guns except the ff-
teen-inch in the monitors which will
seriously injure the ligh'est OF these armored
vessels. Substitute a seven eight inch ii
fie for the eleven-inch smooth bore, which
even our smallest shirs carry, and few of
them would come off without great damage
The Chief of Ordnance says the recent ex-
pertinent on the conversion OF smootb-bore
to rified cannon developed no unexpected re-
suits, and he does not deem it possible locon-
vert cast-iron smooth-bore into an efficient
rifle by any system of riding