New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-16
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
IMPROVED ARMSfNEEDED.

The Ordnance Department has from year TO
year urged upon Congress the necessity of making sui
cieut appropriations for the manufacture Of improved
arms, to permit the gradual accumulation OF them
in store for in of emergency. During the
years preceding the late average OF $25 900
per annum was appropriated for the manufacture OF
such arms, but for several years past the appropriation
for that purpose has been 100000 o. $l3OOJO IL Is
estimated that there will he than 5000 of
approx ed patterns hand at the end OF the present
year. and should tAe States draw upon the National Gov
eminent for the fun quotas to which they are entitled
the limited stock of improved arms held in reserve
would be exhausted. The act of April % 1903, makes
permanent annual appropriations OF 100000 for arm
lug and equpping the militia of the United States, ana
it Is argued that If that necessary at that time,
when the population did not exceed 100000 at least
81 100000 shOG,d be appropriated now, the population
having increased nearly fye-fod Under the act named
the state Of NewYOrk is annually credited with Fl6192
OF the 100000 but If the appropriation should be in
creased to Il 900 600 recommended, she wodld have
$S3962. and with the other states accord
being manufactured is the Springfield brecch-loadmg
ic and il argued that thcs" guns shOuld 10 ili'c-
mutation OF them III store a certainty. ihlt Drti.r
arm than The Springfield may some day be invented Is
not al all improbable, ana experienced ordnance Officers
cOntcni that MAGAZINE gun VIII no douh Dc tit ann OF
the future. But until sucD one, suitable f9r inc mil
t4Ty service has been perfected ana approved reserve
stock Of rpringhclds Is Il necessity
OBJECTIONS TO FLEETPAYMASTER ToLFIEE.
There is considerable comment among mem
hers OF the pay corps Of the navy at TIE rcccnG selection
OF Paymaser James f. Togee 10 be feet paymascr OF
the European fleet, III place Of Inspector Foster dc
ceased. Fleet paymasters as well as iect engineers ana
fleet surgoO receive compensation OF iiO0 per an
num- or 81 600 less than the captain Il ship aud it is
claimed that a fleet paymastcr should be either pay
director, who ranks captain, o pay inspector VINO
ranks commander paymaster ranks as lieutenant
commander only. 1t is said that pressure VIII be
brought TO bear upon Secretary Thompson on lis return
to Washington this week TO have the orders Of Pay
master Tolfee revoked, aud pay inspector or lay d
rector ordered TO the European fleet his place Pay
master Toliree entered the service in 1852 and it is
claimed mat there many officers in The pay corps
receive the choice OF positions Mr. T0l.ree very
Ec;ent officer and stands high with the depait ment
hence there is probability that there Will he !iNcy
contest III his behalf as ne has many friends 10 aiu nin
SURVEYS on THE MISSISSIPPI ORDERED.
The Sundry Civil Appropriation bill passed
at the last Of Congress contains clause appro
prating So continuing the survey o: the MisslS
spvi River and its tributaries, with view OF deeImln
ins the proper method OF retaining from overflow the
aluvial lands OF the Mississippi delta and the chief OF
the Engineer Corps has directed Gen Constock the Off
Ger in charge Of the work. expcnd this money for sur
veys with view the construction OF eyees, partcu
larry conformity with the report of the commission
consisting of Gen. Warren, Gen. Abbott, and Capt
Bcnyaurd Of the Engineer Corps, and Jackson T. Sckcs
y.
essential to determine the exact location dimensions,
and cost of the evees Their estimated cost is $500 900
They will determine all matters relating 70 tie river
beds such high; Of the banks' the places were cavlng
taking otherwise, and the past history OF
changes far II can bc made ont Level lines
sopes of the water Surface and Of Tie land
walton OF al hIgh water marks
ENLIsTMENTs FOR CLERICAL WORK.
The Legislative. Judicial, and Executive APP
preparation bill for the ensuing fiscal year authorizes the
Secretary War after the 1s of July next to detail certain
enlisted men for clerical duty in the SurseonGenera's
Office the Ordnance Bureau, and office of the Chief Of
Engineers but they 10 be paid out OF the appropia
ton for the support of the army and therefore cannot
be employed unless the Army Appropriation bill is passed
prior 10 time. In the Ordnance Office enlisted men
are already employed under the existing law, and no
new ones will be taken in; but 20 will be enlisted for
clerical duty in the surgeonGeneras Office and 80 for
the Engineers office should the bill be passed IN time
These detailed clerks receive compensation OF
period Just as soldiers do and must also pass requisite
as 10 their fitness for clerical WORK.
REPORT ON TRANSPORTATION OF THE SICK
Surgeon General Barnes of the Army has
lust issued elaborate report OF Assistant sugeonGe
eral George A. Otis upon the different modes OF trans
pOrng sick and wounded men In localities inaccessible
to wheeled vehicles. 1t embodies the experience of
many years and various campaigns, and especially The
campaign of last Summer against the Sioux Indians
The report devoted to the transportation OF sick aud
wounded by pack animals and is handsomely illustrated
with of the various hters used apon the western
frontier as well those used by England, France aud
other countries
SILVER INSTEAD OF SMALL NOTES.
For the purpose of bringing silver CON into
more general use in the circulation Of the country than
AZ present and a step toward specie payments the
secretary OF Treasury has decided to suspend for the
peseut the issue of dollar notes in sums over ten
dollars He will Also in retiring legal tenders under the
net of ls75 select notes OF the smaller denominations
wherever it is practicable In the payment OF ali drafts
nnon the Treasury where change Is desired, all sums
der tive dollars will be paid III silver instead OF III
paper.
WASHINGTON NOTES.
WASHINGTON, April 10, 1877.