The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-12-11
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Synopsis of the Annual Report of Sec
rotary BeIknap.

~
rotary Bclknap.
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 SAC, 1875, 3OS 81, and the
1874, were $40, 326, 3l4.7l, showing a reduction
OF go, 99S, 903.50. The report contains the
following recommendations
Monthly additions to be allowed to the
pay of officers acting as Assistant
Quartermasters renewal OF recommends
tions for the purchase Of sites of
posts in Texas, in accordance with the
report previously made to Congress 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 we'll AZ 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 80 changed that appro-
priations for subsistence stores can be made
available PRIOR to the commencement OF the
fiscal year for which they are appropriated
that provision lie made for the publ
cation of 5000 additional copies of the
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 equipping the
militia. Steps should be taken to relieve the
various States from the indebtedness for arms
charged to them during the rebellion. Sales
nall noh hos at he
ny, Columbus, Detroit, Pikesville, Watertown
and Washington, are recommended. The
Springfield Armory, the Frankfort Arsenal
and few others are recommended to be re-
tanned. The proceeds OF those sold should
be applied to the erection Of one grand arsenal
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
without reduction OF officers and posts is
not economical.
A large appropriation for tho publication
OF official records OF the war Of the rebellion,
both of the Union and Confederate armies, is
desirable. This sheuld 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 psy-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- Gener-
ais application for the appointment Of ad-
ditional Psymasters 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 ~ feld-musicians, as formerly. When
vacancies occur in the Office Of Regimenta
Quartermaster and Adjutant no reappoint
ment should be made to those positions, bu
the duties now performed by them should b.
performed by detailed officers.
| The establishment Of a Professorship Of
! Rhetoric and English Literature at Yves
Point is recommended.