Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-12-01

ary expenditures Tor the same peTlOu
will be S27S,O07, 36439 - leaving a
surplus of $500, 635.6l for that year.
The large amount expended for ar
rears of pensions during the present
fiscal wear. amounting TO SPLIT ,2i96O,
has prevented the application of the full
amount required by law TO the sinking
fund for the current wear; but these
arrears having substantially been paid,
il is believed that the sinking fund can
hereafter be maintained without any
change OF existing law.
The Secretary of War reports that the
War Department estimates Tor the flscal
wear ending June so, 1881, are S4O, $780,
428 SO, the same being for less sum OF
money than any annual estimate rem
dered to Congress from that depart
ment during a period OF at least twelve
years.
He concurs with the General OF the
Army in recommending such legislation
as will authorize the enlistment of the
full number of twenty-five thousand
men for the line OF the Army, exclusive
of the three thousand four hundred and
sixty-three men required for detached
duty, and therefore not available Tor ser
vice in the field.
He also recommends that Congress be
asked to provide by law for the DISPOSE
ton of a largen lumber Of abandoned mill
tarv posts and reservations, which,
though very valuable in themselves,
have been rendered useless for military
purposes by the advance OF civilization
| and settlement.
He unites with the Quartermaster-
| General in recommending that an APP
preparation be made for the cOnstruc.
ton of cheap and perfectly tire-prooi
building for the safe storage OF a vast
amount of money accounts, vouchers,
claims, and other valuable records now
in the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES office,
and exposed to great risk OF total de-
struCtion by fire.
He also recommends, in conformity
with the views of the Judge Advocate
General, some declaratory legislation in
reference TO the military statute OF limi-
tations as applied to the crime OF deser-
| ton.
In these several recommendations |
concur
War Department.
The Secretary of War further reports,
that the work for the improvement OF
the South Pass of the Mississippi river,
under contract with Mr.. James Is. Eads,
made in pursuance of an act of Con-
gress, has been prosecuted during the
past year with a greater measure of sue
cess in the attainment of results than
during any previous year. The channel
! through the South Pass, which, at the
beginning of operations i'll June, 1870,
had depth of only seven and One.hali
! feet of water, had, on the Sth OF July,
1879, minimum depth OF twenty-siX
! feet, having width OF not less than two
hundred feet, and a central depth OF
thirty feet. Payments have been made
in accordance with the statute, as the
work progressed, amounting, in the ag-
gregate, to S4,250,007 and further pay
ments will become due, as provided by
the statute, in the event of success in
maintaining the channel now secured.
The reports of the General OF the
| Army, and of his subordinates, present
| a full and detailed account OF the mil
itary operations for the suppression OF
hostilities among the Indians OF the Ute
and Apache tribes, and praise is Justly
awarded to the officers and troops en-
gagged for promptness, skill and courage
displayed.
The past year has been one OF almost
| unbroken peace and quiet on the Mex
| lean frontier, and there is reason to be-
! lieve that the efforts of this government
| and of Mexico, TO maintain order in that
region, will prove permanently success
| full.
This Department was enabled during
the past year to find temporary though
| crowded accommodations, and safe de-
pository for portion of its records, i'll
| the completed wing of the building de-
signed for the State, War and Navy De-
partments. The construction OF the
north wing of the building, a part of
the structure intended for the use OF the
War Department, is being carried for
ward with all possible dispatch, and the
work should receive from Congress such
liberal appropriations as will secure It's
speedy completion.
The Navy.
The report of the Secretary of the
Navy shows continued improvement In
that branch of the service during the
| last fiscal year. Extensive repairs have
been made upon vessels, and two new
| ships have been completed and made
ready for sea.
The total expenditures of the year
| ended June 80, 1879, including specific
appropriations not estimated for by the
department, were Sl3, 800, 1000. The
expenses chargeable to the year, after
! deducting the amount of these specific
| appropriations, were Sl3,343, 3lI19;
| but this is subject to a reduction OF $685.
| 1859, that amount having been drawn
! upon warrants, but not paid out during
| the year. The amount of appropriations
! applicable to the last fiscal year was
si4, 53S, 64617. There was, therefore,
| balance of 81 ,479, 054S remaining uneN-
pended, and to the credit of the De-
! partment, on June, 30, 1879. The estl-
mates for the fiscal year ending June
80, 1881, are Sl4,S64, 1915 which ex-
ceeds the appropriations for the present
! fiscal year 1851 ,S97.2S. The reason for
! this increase is explained in the Secre-
tary's report. The appropriations avail
able for the present fiscal year are.Sl4,-
! 5O2, 25067, which will, in the opinion OF
the Secretary, answer all the ordinary
demands of the service. The amount
drawn from the Treasury from July to
November /, 1879, was 1910, 404l2, OF
which Sl,095, 1908 has been refunded,
leavingas the expenditure for that period
SAGA, 963.79. 1.-THE expenditures OF the
remaining two-thirds of the year do not
exceed the proportion for these four
months, there will remain uneXpended,
at the end Of the year, S477 $3.50 Of the
current appropriations. The report OF
the Secretary shows the gratifying
fact that among all the dis
bursting officers OF the pay corps
of the Navy there is not one who is
deiaulter to the extent of single dol
lar. unite with him in recommending
the rem oval of the Observatory to a
more healthful location. That institu-
ton reflects credit upon the nation, and
has obtained the appreciation Of scien-
tifc men in all parts OF the world. Its
removal from its present location would
not only be conducive to the health OF
its officers and professors, but would
greatly increase its usefulness.
Tho Jpllpiarv