The New York herald., 1878-11-30

that rule has been strictly adhered to- In addition to
the issue of rations. as shown by the report OF the
Commissary General tents were issued as . loan.
follows
August Isl, 900 common tents to Memphis.
August 20-200 common tents to Vicksburg.
August 2l-200 common tents to Grenada.
August 24-3O0 common tents to Memphis
September 7-25 common tents to Natchez.
September 2l-l hospital tent TO Donaldsonvlile
September 2l-70 common tents to Chattanooga
Also small supply of medicines was issued to
Grenada. / respectfully recommend that joint res
oution be passed by Congress approving and legaz-
ing these issues.
would recommend to Congress the careful consid-
Grafton of the question whether such emergencies in
the future may not be provided for by law by con-
ferrng authority to act upon the President II 1t be
practicable the law should be framed as never to
leave executive officer under the necessity Of act
ing outside of the statutes
APPROPRIATIONS, EXPENDITURES AND EsTIMATFs
The expenditures under the War Department for
the fiscal year ending June 30 1877 S26ls 1893 69
less than those for the previous fiscal year. and the
expenditures for the year ending June 30 1875
S4.32i734 "a less than those for 1877.
The estimates for the fiscal year ending June 30.
1850, presented by chiefs of bureaus, were
which amount is only $l,910S62 Is in Of the
aggregate appropriations for 1879, and, shall
presently see is only an apparent increase even OF
that amount since the appropriations for the current
year for the support of the seem to have been
upon the basis OF 20. .450 enlisted men. while the num-
ber authorized by left at 25 450 As reduced
and submitted these estimates for less sum Of
money than any annual estimates rendered to Con-
gress from this department during period OF at least
the fiscal year 1S79 which were S43, l5.443 "a.
The estimates as compiled and promulgated in the
namely, the civil establishment. the military estab-
hshment the public works and the miscellaneous.
and under these heads they may be briefly consid-
ered
In the civil establishment slight increase Of ap-
preparations is desired account of existing neces
sites, which demand the employment OF large num-
Der OF clerks The present clerical force is insufficient
to properly attend to and despatch the current public
business of this Office and Of the military bureaus.
factorily be answered and reasonable requests for
copies of records cannot properly be granted without
extra hours Of labor volunteer services or appropra
tions for the employment of additional clerks.
The estimates for the military establishment are
$29 1886 727 33. and basis Of IS 45O enlisted
men, tho force now allowed by law These figures,
compared with those for 1879. which were basis
of 25,000 enlisted men, shows reduction of
S226l 49, which occurs principally in the Quarter
masters Department; and compared with the appro-
pratons for 1879 lin the aggregate $25 936 III lS),
which, understood at this department. were on .
basis of 20450 enlisted men. exhibit difference OF
only $40 10 between the amount of the present
estimates and the amount of appropriations for the
current fiscal year. These estimates If rendered for
the increased number of men on what is regarded as
the basis of the Legislative allowance for 20 $50 en-
listed for 1s79 would be for about $32 400 lag A.
The estimates for public works are $7,610.9S1 80,
the being $2S2 096 46 less than those for 1879.
and ,493 10 less than the amount appropriated
at the last session of Congress- The largest differ
ences between the estimates and the appropriations
under this head appear in the titles "Fortfcations
and other works Of Defence" and "Harbors and
rivers"
In order to continue operations on fortifcations
and other works of defence during the sc 81 OF
1876 appropriations amounting to $Sl5 900 were made
in 1875. since that time estimates for upward OF
$4,000 900 have been rendered to Congress each year,
but greater appropriation than $3.50 per annum
has been made for such works. In view of these
the estimates for 1880 have been reduced from
So lSS 400 to 600 600 which sum, wisely allotted
well be applied to improve some OF the import
ant works OF public defence and preserve them from
waste and ruin.
RIVERS AND HARBoRs.
In connection with the reports of examinations and
surveys of rivers and harbors made by order of Con-
gress since July ~ 1865 this department prepares
and submits to Congress full statements Of all exist
ng> facts tending to show to what extent the general
commerce Of the country will be promoted by the
several works of improvements contemplated by such
examinations and surveys (see 231, r. 81 These
necessarily include estimates to continue
all works once commenced under legal authority and
remaining unfinished for want of funds. Tho annual
estimates submitted to Congress for the Improvement
of rivers and harbors have thus become largely in ex
of the appropriations obtained for the works.
for 1876 on $l3. 4.5OO submitted. $6.6i3,5l7 80
were granted M for 1877. on sAsol: 100 ,ors re-
$l3,220.1 100 suggested. nothing was appro-
priated. The estimates for 1879. compiled by
ments of all existing facts relative to these works of
improvements, were rendered for $500 600, but
reduced by TO correspond with the aggregate
appropriated August IA, 1876, the being
S5,O15000. This amount was. however. exceeded in
the appropriations for 1879 which $s276 7OO or
50, ,26l 700 more than the estimates revised The
aggregate originally stated rivers and harbors for
1850 was $3.50 .00S. This has been reduced on my
revision to correspond with the estimates revised
for lS79 and the reduction is based the belief that
$5Ol5 900 judciously expended during the fiscal year
1850 will be liberal allowance under this head OF a
preparation for the promotion Of the general
Inerce OF the country
In the estimates for miscellaneous objects some
items show increase the estimates for 1879.
but the several amounts considered as q whole are
deemed reasonable when compared with similar
items in the appropriations for the current fiscal
year.
The Quartermaster General reports that during the
fiscal year the requisitions from his office for pay
ments and reit.nces By By the , Treasury on all ac.
$746.749 80 was. during the year under the law OF
Both June 1874. covered into the Treasury to the
credit of the surplus fund. The balance undrawn in
the Treasury at the end OF June, 1878, was
$l,529.O95 ". The department moved during the
year 9260 passengers. IL 400 beasts and 1o926I tons
The operations OF the department are embarrassed
by the action of Congress relating to land grant rail-
roads, TO none of which money be paid until the
conclusion of q suit before the courts.
There are still IN the Quartcrmaster Generals Office
about twenty four Thousand claims and accounts un-
settled, calling for payment OF $l3 600; also many
claims which have been rejected. and which, the
Third Auditor longer provide reproof space for
their custody, remain in the Quartermaster General
Office, very unsafe building one in which . fire,
under way, would make such rapid progress
that but small portion Of its contents could escape
destruction.
REPORT CHIEF ENGINEERs.
work upon our coast defences owing to the lack
of appropriations. has been limited to the and
preservation of the works. The system governing
the construction Of works of defence elabo-
rated and adopted in 1862 the main features OF which
the Of heavy earthen barbette batteries pro-
tected by high trayerses and arranged for guns and
morars OF large caiibre to be supplemented in the
future by guns Of the heaviest modern cabre of
distractions in the channels nanly electrical torpe
does) to prevent vessels from running past the bat
teries. The Chief of Engineers now recommends. in
addition to completing the open batteries already
partially constructed. the conversion OF some
Of casemated forts for the reception Of guns of
the largest caibre behind plates OF iron. The
trials and experiments with the torpedo defence have
continued at Willetts Point with satisfactory results
The Battalion Of Engineers under the law reducing
the army. has been fixed at 200 enlisted men. This
number in the opinion OF the Chief of Engineers, is
too small for the efficient performance of the duties
required of them. II should occur with
maritime Power the want OF trained soldiers to plant
aud operate torpedo defences would be seriously
felt; and IL is submitted whether the needs OF this
branch Of the service may not Justify a minimum or
ganizaton tor the battalion of not less than 520
listed men. For the torpedo service alone that num-
bcr is requisite. The duty requires intell-
gence and training which cannot be supplied
in emergency. In the event OF in