The New York herald., 1879-11-24


lOi5 Revised Statutes 10 defeat the operation of the
statute of limitation i'll the Federal Courts and which
long ago received judicial definition But late opin-
ions OF the Attorney General have held that mere
absence from the army without leave does not
sariiy amount. in law, to the impediment to arrest
and trial within the meaning of the Articles OF War,
but that III every case 1t question of fact for
the Court whether. by reason of such Absence de-
serter had or not been amenable To Justice = |
As settlement of the whole question upon o salts
factory basis would advise in conformity with the
views of the Judge Advocate General. that some GER
tain term OF amenability be fixed in the or de-
serters. This term, however. ought not. in my |
opinion. to be too short, lest hope OF early i'm
munity should be held out to encourage crime |
already too prevalent; should the law to be |
enacted be complicated by any proviso in reference
to tho Offenders having been within or without the
territorial domain of the United States. which, as
rule it would be wholly impossible for the govern
ment to ascertain prove
QUARTEadAsrEE's DEPARTMENT.
me Quartermaster General reports that the ex-
penditures OF the Quartermasters Department. dur
ing the fiscal year have been Sl0.75S.OOl IL; that
Sl2.l35 80 was transferred from the appropriation
for support Of the military prison to the Ccmmis-
sary Department ccount OF subsistence OF pris
oners; that slss l08 26 has been covered the
surplus fund IN the Treasury. and that the balance
to credit OF Gusrtermasters Department appropria-
ton ia Treasury 30th June, 1879, was
$1.2i9,7ol le. The expenditures OF the department.
have decreased. In 1874 they were $l455s.3l7 IL;
In ld79 thoy were Sl0,763.O0l IL.
Tho operations OF the department for tho year
sketched. in the course OF which tho statement is
made that our army is more thoroughly provided
with transportation than most others 1t is always
q war footing. and when savage tribe attacks o
party and commits massacre the relieving troops
move, as in recent instance. Oh few hours notice,
thousand miles from their environments to begin
march Of $50 miles. through desert, mountainous
country the instant they reach the base OF supplies
the Pacific Railroad and complete 1t in less than
three days and rescue the survivors. Continuing
the Secretary says:- ea
The Quartcrmaster General calls attention to the
inau
officers horses. and the hardship imposed on officers
in some districts by abolshing tho issues OF fuel
Officers east OF the Mississippi suffer from the frst,
those in the Tar western wilderness from the second
CONVICT LABOR.
Congress, by the law or March 3, 1879, required
the manufacture OF army supplies. when economical.
to be established at the military prison at Fort
the army are beng made there by convict labor
Measures are instituted to begin the manufacture
harness at the prison. and the question OF trans-
ferring to the prison the manufacture or wagons,
ambulances and other vehicles Is under considers
tion. if
The Secretary quotes from the report Of the Com
mssary General. stating the operations Of the SUBJ
sistenco Department and the recommendations made
which are without special interest. tb
4al n5as MEDICAL DEPARTMENT..
The total number Of deaths from all causes
ported among the white troops was $780, IL per
1000 of mean strength OF these 162. or per 1000
Of strength died of disease and lO4 or per 600 OF
strength. of wounds, accidents anu injuries. The
proportion of deaths from all causes to treated
The total number Of white soldiers reported to
have been discharged the service on Surgeons
Certificate of Disability was CIT. or 81 per 1000 OF
mean strength. .i1
The total number of deaths of colorod soldiers re-
strength. OF these. Is. or per 10oo OF strength.
died of disease and 13, per 100 Of strength, Of
wounds, accidents and injuries. ti. .
The proportion of deaths from all causes to
treated was to 140.
The total number Of colored soldiers reported to
have been discharged on surgeons Certificate Of
Disability was A. % per 1000 OF mean strength.
REPORT THE CHIEF ENGINEERS
The Secretary quotes extensively from the report
of the Chief Of Engineers. which has been already
made public In reference to our seacoast defences
he says:-
The Chief of Engineers very truly remarks that,
in the present condition of our seacoast defences,
injuries to our citizens abroad and insults to our
nag could not be resented with that vigor and
promptitude demanded by the honor and dignity OF
the nation. and justified by knowledge that come
what may, our navy yards, maritime cities and
depots for military and naval stores will be unas
sailable behind impresnabe fortifcatlons and OBJ
structons; and commend the views of that officer
respecting the necessity for reasonable appropria-
for seacoast defences, as expressed in his
report to the earnest attention of Congress and the
country.
ton to protect tho channels rivers and fairways
OF harbors from injuries arising from wanton de-
posts by passing vessels OF ballast. ashes from
steamers and OK all substances which would tend to
the of shoals therein and also to protect
the break waters. piers and other public works con-
structed by the United States from trespass upon as
well as injury thereto.
The survey Of the territory west of the Tooth
meridian has been continued i'll the States OF Colo
RADIO, Texas. Nevada. California and Oregon. and in
the Territories of Arizona. New Mexico. Utah and
Washington. and in connection with this work
special survey of Great Salt Lake has been COM
pleted.
No funds were available for the prosecution of the
ield work this survey after June 30 1879, and all
parties withdrawn from the field on or before
that date. There eight enginee officers
ployed in the Western military divisions aud depart
uapfa N iulkin and
mapping the geographical and Typographical infor-
nation obtained in scouts and campaigns against the
hostile Indians. Maps prepared i'll this way are OF
great value to the War Department and to the army
1t very desirable that the unexplorcd in the
country liable to be travesed by troops aud hos
tile Indians De mapped as rapidly possible. and an
appropriation OF S5O.O0O Is earnestly recommended
tor this purpose.
The Secretary quotes at length from the reports Of
the Chief of Ordnance and tho Chief Signal officer.
both of which have been already made public.
THE MILITARY ACADEMY.
transmit herewith the annual report OF the Board
OF Managers of the Military Academy at West Point,
and invite attention to their recommendations.
1t appears that the enlargement and Improvement
of the cadet barracks IL demanded by
both of health and Of comfort, and it is accordingly
recommended
The superintendent Major General schoneid, re-
ports that II Is very Important to provide suitable
accomIn odations ut West Point for tho Board or
Visitors and other prominent persons who visit
the academy officially during the annual
ANIMATION in june The small motel situated on the
plain is the property of the post fund.- the United
States having contributed nothing toward its
ton. 1t was designed for the accommodation OF the
parents and friends OF cadets visiting West Point
and officers trsnsiently ut tho post. During the
commencement season IL is wholly occupied by the
Board OF Visitors and other officials. greatly to the
discomfort of all other guests. mainly the parents
and friends OF the Cadets for whose accommodation
the hotel was specially Intended.
concur with General Schofeld in recommending
an appropriation for the erection of cottage ada
cent to tho hotel, for the use OF the Board of Wis.,
itors and other ofcial visitors the Academy 1t Is
believed that $4,000 would he q sufficient sum for
the purpose r.r.r
LEAvENwoRTH MILITARY PRISON.
The annual reports from the Ieavcnworth Military
Prison indicate very satisfactory progress and
diton. The labor of the prisoners has been utilized
as far possible In manufacture OF articles needed
for tho use OF the army. Extensions have been
made to tho buildings, and alterations of buildings
already in have been made to adapt them to the
better occupancy, both for health and labor.
Prisoners have been employed largely In mechanical
labor partly in the work of building the prison WALL
but chiefly in the manufacture OF shoes. tent
pins and barrack chairs for the army. The