The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1875-12-16


in Novem Der, 1874, for the purpose oI
keeping up the standard um6er, and
under a careful system in the selec.
zion OF men, the class Of recruits now
treceived is of q superior quality. The
number Of desertiOns has been largely
reduced, being about 2,1OO less than
during the previous year, while the
number of establishments has increas-
ed nearly three-fOld. The state OF
lcontentment thus shown is due, in q
great measure, to the excellent sys-
tenn OF pay established, which is now
graduated by length of service, and
affords the soldier an opportunity 10
deposit his savings with the govern
ment and receive interest for the same
until the end Of his term.
DEsERTIoNs AND RE-INLIsTMENTs.
The desertions for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1874, were 1900 ;
OF re-inlistments, 500 the number OF
sergeants re-inlisted, 159. The deser-
tions for the fiscal year ending June
80, 1875, were 2,5l2; re-inlistments,
/, 1888 sergeants re-inlisted, 347. No
better evidence can be furnished OF
the improved condition of the service
than by presentation Of the foregoing
] figures:
EXCLUSION OF MARRIED MEN.
Notwithstanding the policy which
dIscourages, with limited expecta-
4 tiOns, the enlistment of married men,
a large number OF them succeeded by
fraudulent representations in enter
ing the army. Their presence there
a nf nn1hQraGd.
ment to military discipline, as it is Of
injury to their families. The destitn-
ton of the latter leads to desertions,
and is then urged upon TIE executive
as ground for the extension OF Glenn
ency to the offenders. The conviction
is entertained that this growing evil
might in large degree be corrected
by appropriate legislation. Under eX-
isting regulations, except in cases of
establishments, the soldier on enlisting
makes a solemn written declaration
that he has "neither wife nor child"
and it is believed that law requiring
him to verify such declaration by
oath, and prescribing a severe pun
ishment for falsely taking this oath,
would do much toward the repression
of what has come to be a chronic de-
moraIization, followed by deplorable
results alike 70 the service and to the
families thus abandoned by their
heads and natural protectors.
TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION ON
THB FRONTIER.
In pursuance OF the acts of Congress
approved respectively June 8, 1874,
June %, 1874, and March 8, 1875, au-
thorizing the construction and opera
ton OF telegrsphic lines in the interior
and upon the frontier, connecting
military posts, and for the protection
of the population from Indian and
other depredatioGs, officers and enlist
ed men of the Signal Service have
been detailed for the construction and
operation of the lines, and have en-
tered upon their duties. The work of
construction has been in great part
done under the general direction of
the officers OF the Signal Service, by
additional details furnished by depart
ment commanders. The lines in Ari-
Zona from the Texas frontier
and in the Indian Territory, already
partly constructed, are approaching
completion. Permanent benefit will
result from the connection of military
posts by telegraph, and will greatly
Increase the protection OF frontier viii
lagos upon the lines, and the country
through which they pass.
NEW BUILDINGS AND NATIONAL GEM
RTERIEs.
The construction OF the ninety-three
new buildings has been authorized
during the year, at an estimated cost
of S301, ,27S, and an expenditure of
$407, ,55l has been authorized for re-
pairs to buildings, construction and
repairs of cisterns, and other works.
Plans for the construction of a new
post on the North Fork of the Loupe
River, authorized by act of June 16,
1874, to be known as Fort Hartsuff,
have been approved also, plans for
log buildings for winter quarters for
troops stationed near Red Cloud and
MILESTONE Agencies, for which Con-
gress appropriated $50. 1000 by act OF
June 30, 1874.
The work of care and improvement
OF National cemeteries has been salts
factOrily performed during the year.
InclosIng walls have have been COM
pleted at nine cemeteries. Eleven
still require walls. Four lodges have
been completed during the year
thirteen are yet to be built The
amount expended for this and other
necessary work during the year was
S213, ,3S7 .25.
GRASsHOPPER SUFFERERS.
Under the authority conferred by
the set Of Congress approved Febru-
F. hn raNfnf ~
from the ravages Of graSshOppers, the
appropriation was placed under the
charge Of officers OF the Subsistence
Department, with instructions for the
purchase ard issue of food to the suf-
ferers within the respective military
departments. During the period
when destitution from the cause re-
ferred to was greatest, one million
nine hundred and fifty-seven thou
sand one hundred and eight TatioDs
were issued to sixty-tbree thousand
FIVE hundred and ninety-three adults,
and fOrty-three thousand nine hun
dred and forty-two children under
twelve years of age, residing in the
States of Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa
and Kansas, and the Territories of
Dakota and Colorado. OF the sum cf
$500 appropriated by Congress
$l32, ,SS7. SO was disbursed for the pur-
pose contemplated by the act, and S.
1921 was returned to the Treasury.
A full and detailed report of these is-
sues will hereafter be submitted, in
compliance with the act of Congress
upon the subject.
MEDICAL STATISTICS.
In connection with the progress of
work in the Army Medical Museum,
the attention is invited to the efforts