The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-12-15

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Recomnend asions OF the Secretary Of
War. ~
Below We present some of the most i'm
portant features in the report of the
Secretary of War, on the operations of
the department for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1875:
November %, 1875.
Mr.. President: l am gratifed to be
able to state that, since my last annual
report, marked improvement has taken
place in the morale Of the service. The
army is now reduced to $4,000 men. Re.
cruiting was resumed in November, 1874,
for the purpose of keeping up the stand
ard number, and, under careful system
in the selection Of the men, the class of
recruits new received is of a superior
quality. The number Of assertions has
been largely reduced, being about 2,1O0
less than during the previous year, while
the number Of rc.enlistments has in
creased nearly threefold. The state of
contentment thus shown is due, in great
measure, to the excellent system of pay
established, which is now graduated by
length of service, and affords the soldier
an opportunity to deposit his savings with
the government and receive interest for
the same until che end Of his term.
MILITARY TELEGRAPH LINES.
In pursuance of the acts of Congress,
approved respectively June 3, 1874, June
%, 1874. and March 3, 1875, authorizing
the construction and operation of tele-
graph lines in the interior and upon the
frontier, connecting military posts, and
for the protection of the populations and
from Indian and other depredations, Off
GERS and enlisted men Of the Signal Serv-
ice Eave been detailed for the construc.
ton and operation of the lines, and have
entered upon their duties. The work Of
construction has been in great part done
under the general direction of officers Of
the Signal Service by additional details
furnished by Department Commanders.
The lines in Arizona from the Texas from
tier, and in the Indian Territory, al
ready partly constructed, are approach
ing completion. Permanent benefit will
result from the connection of military
posts by telegraph, and will greatly in.
crease the protection Of frontier villages
upon the lines and the country through
which they pass.
RELIEF OF CHRISTOPHER SUFFERERS.
Under the authority conferred by the
act.of Congress approved Feb. 10, 1875,
for the relief of persons from the ravages
of grasshoppers, the appropriation was
placed under the charge of officers of the
Subsistence Department, with instruc-
tons for the purchase and issue of food
to the suffers within the respective mill
tary departments. During the period
when restitution from the cause referred
to was greatest. 1,757,108 rations were
issued to 63,593 adults, and .43,942 child
dren under IL years Of age, residing in
the States of Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa,
and Kansas, and the Territories of Dako.
ia and Colorado. OF the sum of $780,.
600 appropriated by Congress, $132,877.60
was disbursed for the purpose contempla-
ted by the act, and $5,ll2.30 was re-
turned to the Treasury.
THE ESTIMATES OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS
are submitted separately, as presented
by that officer, viz:
Notifications end other works of
defense ...... 80. 80. .... S 2.O44. 900
Public buildings and grounds and
Washington Aqueduct 80. 7l4,474
Surveys 49,: 800. ...... 100000
Engineer depot at Willet's Point,
n. Y.....: 80. $780,. 80. ....... $4,000
Office expenses ...:.. ...... %. 81, 800
improvement OF rivers and har-
bors 80. ...... ...... 80. .... l4,3O1 ,lOO
Total $500. .... ...... go. .$i7.298, 1914
For several years past [ have called
attention to the necessity of an increase
in the annual appropriation for
AIMING AND EQUIPP1NG THE MILITIA.
The annual appropriation of 100000
was made in 1903, when the population
was about 100000. At the present
time, with population of over 100000.
QUO, the amount appropriated is still the
same; and it is impossible for this de.
partment to meet all the demands made
upon it by the States and Territories. IF
it be the intention and desire of Congress.
as expressed in the act of 1908, to pro-
vide farms and military equipments for
the whole body of the militia of the
United States,' then the necessary means
ought to be supplied by largely increas-
ing the annual appropriation. The last
official report gives the aggregate strength
of the militia of the United States: Or.
ganized, 84,724; unorganized, 3,7Ol, 977:
and there is little doubt that, were EARNS
and military equipments'' more freely
supplied, the organized force would be
largely augmented. The hope is enter.
tainad that th;c ,,cor roo.:ro A.