New-York tribune., 1875-12-24
WASHINGTON.
g TIE ARMY TOO LARGE J

Swu NEW HOUSE EVIDENTLY THINKS so-Pfob-
ABILITIES OF THE SKELETON ESTABLISHMENT
BRING FURTHER REDUCED
svnov r,rr prcuIIR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.l
w,sHtSGroN. Dec. o. Talk with influential
Democratic Representatives leads TO the conclusion
that the Army is doomed TO reduction 10 lo'ooo
men, with q corresponding and perhaps greater IT,
duction in the number Of line and stan oiuoeis'
The appropriations for the military establishment
for the current fiscal year are S2s,5oi9e7 ~ ana
the estimates for next year amount to S33'o9'-
IFS 80 These sums are exclusive OF the expenses
of the War Department proper, for which 81 2l9,231
was auuropriated this year, and 81 1,2iO,o6S asked
for for next year. To these should be added $1Z|-
I65 appropriated for armOres and arsenas tins year
tthe estimates for next year are $917,21S SSl5,ooo
for Notifications and works of defense estimates
for next wear, $2.044000l; $4,000 for buildings
at the Military Academy estimates for next year,
$50, ,OO0) buildings under the Quartermaster-Gen-
eral for which appropriation was made this year.
but for which next years estimate is SoOOOoo; con-
struction and repair of military teegraphs, SsS,oOO
Estimates for next year $45000; surveys for mill
tary defenses $4,000 estimates for next year,
$50 OOOl; expenses of military convicts, $4,000
testimate for next year same amount; publication
of the Official records of the Rebellion, $4,000
lestimate for next year same amount; support OF
Leavenworth Military Prison. Sol, ,6Ss 10 mo appro-
priatiOn for this year.; support OF Natlonai hohe
for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, $S9S,13 IA mo
appropriation for this year, and permanent appro-
priations under the War Department S62o'ooo
estimates for next year, $51OOOO). Ihls makes
the entire cost of the military establishment, war
Department &C.. this year, exclusive OF geographi-
cal SURVEYS and improvements of rivers and harbors
conducted by officers of the army the enormous
sum of S31, ,S91, ,SS9 70. and the amount asked ior
for next year is $40,143,3S5 65.
By reduction of the army to $4,000 men, and
corresnondinC or greater reduction i'll the number OF
officers a saving of about $4.500,000 can be made
in the pay and travelling and general expenses OF
the army and nearly 81 000,0 600 more in the cost OF
subsistence. Carrying out the same ratio, the cosV
OF the Quartermaster's Department ought to be re-
dnced So 600 600 and the cost of clothing $5OOOOo
No appropriation will probably be made for the
armament of Notifications, thus saving $4,000 the
amount asked for for next year is 81 ,2oOOOO, ana
the appropriations made for 1876, for which est-
mates for next year are made, amount 10
S223917 20. This would reduce the cost of the
military establishment proper about SS,3OO,OOO,
or TO about S2O,OOO 900, instead of SOS, 100000,
which is its cost for the present fiscal year. The
EXPENSES of the War Department can, doubtless be
reduced to 81 900 900, and the following items Will
either be struck out altogether or very materially
reduced Armories and arsenals, costing this year
Sl27165; Notifications, $s15,OOO; surveys for
military defenses, $3OOO0 buildings at the Mill
tary Academy. &c, &c.
There may be opposition TO a further reduo-
tion of what is already skeleton of an army; but
the fact that the Government has had troops enough
TO keep many companies, and sometimes whole regi-
ments. in the South during political campaigns, will
be pointed to as proof that 10000 men can yet be
spared, and the army still be large enough for all
necessary uses.