The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1875-12-09
Report of the seoretary of war.

Report of the Secretary of War.
Secretary Belknap's report is. as usual a
very lengthy document, and our space permits
olly brief abstract of its salient features. He
lis gratified to state that since his last report
marked Improvement has taken place in the
morale of the service. The army is now re-
duded to Is, 600 men. Recruiting was resumed
in November, 1874, for the purpose of keeping
up the standard number, and under careful
system in the selection of the men the class of
recruits now received is of q superior quality.
The number of assertions has been largely re-
duced, being about 2,100 less than during
the previous year, while the number of
establishments has increased nearly threefold.
The state of contentment thus shown
is d1e in great measure to the excellent sys-
temof pay established, which is now graduated
by lsngth of service and affords the soldiers an
opportunity to deposit his savings with the
Government and receive interest for the same
until the end of his term.
Tie Secretary calls attention to the fact that
LARGE numbers of married men have been en-
listsd, and that their presence in the ranks
proves source OF embarrassment to military
discipline, as it is an injury to their families.
Heasks for appropriate legislation to correct
thegrowing evil.
The work of care and improvement of ma
tional cemeteries has been satisfactorily per-
termed during the year. Nine cemeteries have
been inclosed with walls, leaving eleven yet
unnclosed.
The works for the defense of our seaboard
under the Engineer Department, have pro-
crossed satisfactorily and as rapidly as the
means provided would admit. The trials of
tolpedoes have continued, and have proved the
Importance of this auxiliary in the defense of
our harbors.
Secretary Robson states that under the act
of Congress for the relief of persons from the
ravages of grasshoppers, 1857, 108 rations were
| ,od RI Tu1t and
under IL years of age, residing in Minnesota,
Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado and Dakota.
Of the sum of $15O,000 appropriated by Con-
gress, 1882 887. SO was disbursed for the purpose
contemplated by the act and So, 1921 was re-
turned to the Treasury.
The Secretary calls attention to the fact that
the annual appropriation for arming and equip
ping the militia GOO, 000) is now no larger than
in 1903, when the population was about 5000, :
OOO, and says that with such a meager appro-
pration it is impossible for him to meet all the
demands made upon his department by the
States and Territories
Secretary Belknap heartily approves of the
plan proposed by the Board on Arsenals in 1874,
for the concentration of ordnance manufacto-
RES by the establishment. in the vicinity OF
New York city OF grand arsenal of construc-
ton.
The entire army has been supplied during
the year with new rifles and carbines, CALI
Der As.
The Secretary calls attention to the Rio
Grande troubles, and says measures have been
instituted to preserve the integrity of, and en-
force proper regard for, the territory Of the
United States.
The Indians in the Department of the Mis-
souri, are represented to be in peaceful mood
at present, and all ON their reservations except
:! the UteS.
It is suggested that Alaska be attached to
| Washington Territory as county.
The report shows that the actual expendi-
lures of the War Department for the year end
! ing June 80, 1874, including river and harbor
improvements were $42 $40, 314.71; the same
! for the last fiscal year. ending June 80, 1875,
were $41, 277 BIS. 28-showing a reduction OF
j 81, O48, 939.43. The estimates for the military
establishment for the ensuing fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1877 are $50, 452 1863. so; those fol
the current fiscal year, ending June 30. 1876,
were $32, 488, 969 50-being an increase of 1865.
/ 427. The appropriations for that purpose
for the current fiscal year were 1913, 727, 49,
Secretary Belknap states that the curiosities
of the great Yellowstone National Park are
rapidly being destroyed, and urges that troops
be stationed In or near the park to prevent
spoliation. He rightly says that everything
| should be done that can be to protect all that
! ie grand and beautiful in that remarkable
region.
The POstofice Department.
/