Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-12-03
Report OF the Secretary OF War

Report Of the Secretary of War.
The Secretary of War, ia his annual re-
port 10 the President, in speaking OF the dis
pos .tion of United States troops, says the
reinforcement OF the military posts now GA
the frontier, and The establishment OF q few
additional strong pots ~ suit ole poin.s, so
a. 10 command the co nfry occupied by the
Indians, and give them Ghe assurance Of
ceTtaip and Overwhelming defeat in case
they go to war with The whites, viii, without
doubt, insure permanent peace IA that quar-
Ter. The great value of "a strong federal
force stationed in the vicinity OF oar great
cities would be seen III The prevention OF
mCbS and violence, probably far more than
in their suppression. The Secretary recO n
mends thai authority he given 10 the PrasI-
dent 10 increase the streuglh OF the depleted
companies now embraced within tle army
organization. Speaking of the Mexican
ueSfIon, he says: Upon careful coISd-
GRAFTON, Il was deemed proper to direct Gen.
ord, commanding in Texas, in tue exercise
of his own discretion, when in pursuit o. q
when the troops are in sight of them or upon
ne-h trail across the Rio Grande and un.
I'll they are Cverjaken and punished, and me
stolen property recovered, l am glad 10 be
aOle TO state, that although the border mas
several times been crossed in pursuance OI
the order above mentioned, the friendly re
latiODs between the two countries have u0l
been disturbed. Gen. Ord has been directed
that Whenever Mexican troops are present
and prepared 10 Intercept retreatiug raiders,
he is 10 leave the performance of tina, duty
force
The morale of the army appears to be stead
lily Improving. the number OF tr ais by
courts martial, for dese~tiOn ami other mill
tary Otfenses, has OF late been ETettly dimiu-
lshed. What l. needed is the selection OF
good men for the seTv c., and the elevatl on
OF lie service so as to make IL a fit place for
such men.
The report recommends tuat The sum OF
- 900 per annum BE- APPROPRIATED for the
supply of the army with newspapers and
magazines, also recommends tue enactmau
Ot law removing the restrictions a. 10 the
number OF officers allowed on the aCmy re
tired list. No other provision is necessary
10 secure healthy condition Of the active
list of commissioned officers, and all thai T.
needed Is 10 leave The number that may b.
borne on the retired list, at any time, unlim-
Ilcd, or al the discretion OF the Presid eut.
The Secretary again submits the recOmm n
dation OF the Chief signal officer for the com
pIete and permanent organic alton OF the sig
nal service, and hopes that suitable legi. la
zion may be had in this regard.
Under the head of preservation OF war
records, the Secretary says that the Brady
collection OF war views, purchased by Con
gTess for $4,000, are gradually becoming
QCidctu, ana recommends tndt a special
appropriation be made for the preservation
OF 1hGke pictures OF battle fields and O-ler
military scenes. He agrees with the Quar-
tel ul~s,eI General thai the interests OF the
government require the passage Of a law
uHCer which all railroads shall be Obliged to
transport, at the earliest practicable time,
the men and material OF the United States,
leaving the adjustment OF the question Of
accounts TO be determined in such man
ner as the legislature may provide
he recommends that the claims for Quarte.-
masters stores furnished 10 the army in
states not in the .ebeliCu, be transferred to
Tie CommissIcd ers OF SOutherl Claims or
some other pIbunal. OF The ~ .O0O,G 600 ap
proprialed TO- furnishing headstones ~
graves In national military cemeteries.
: 1872 GOO W I'll Remain, ana 70 IS recommended
that authority be gtvcu by Congress u u.s.
portion OF tUIS sum 70 mark the graves Of
soldiers buried IN private auu village
cemeteries, 10 which the law did MOI
extend. sixty thousand dollars, IL is
believed, wOuld suffice for this purpose
The trans pOrtatiOn 10 the distant posts is
costly, difficult, aud sometimes imDrac.i-
cable AT certain seasons o. the wear, aud
careful cons liberation OF the subject has in
ouceu the belief mat were all issues. byta 10
The army and 10 Indiaus, male by the Sub
slsteEce department, a greater Certainty OF
supply would be secured, with Jhe adv autaga
Of Ia" use Of but one set OF issuing OH RS
and employees. The estimates for th.s de-
partment for the fiscal year ending JuIe 81,
1919, as revis i, amount III the aLgTega:e 90
the sum of SO 1854 i5.2i, rs follows; Salaries
contingent expenses, and postage, II 1873
sS4; military establishment. 81 ,jqT ,Z1Jo-.
public works, - 95j,O1,tj, MISCELLANEOUS,
= ~