The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-11-26
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF
W WAR.

Inc annual report OF Secretary OF War lam
sey gives general review Of the various subor-
dinate reports, calls attention to their several
recommendations, and details at length the OPP
erations of the department during the year.
Upon the subject of expenditures, appropria-
tons, and estimates, the Secretary says : The
expenditures for all affairs under the control OF
this department for the fiscal year ending June
So 1880, were $50, e24, 778. Congress appro-
priated for the service the current fiscal year
S41, 99S, $50. The estimates for the service Of
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1882, are $43,
627,055. The estimates in detail were original
ly submitted to me for $62, 429, no. but, on re-
vision Of the same, omissions or reductions
were made as follows In the civil es-
ment, $3.50, 200; public works, s165l4 1919;
and in the miscellaneous GLASS, SOS, 900, making
the total OF revisory reductions 518802, TIA.
The same increase in the amounts Of estimates
for the year 1882 over the amounts appropri-
ated for the year 1891 appears in the civil es-
tabhshment, the military establishment, and
the miscellaneous. For the public work have
reduced the estimates to accord with what /
understand 10 be the amount required for the
absolute necessities of the service. In order to
prevent waste OF property and damage to
commercial interests beyond such necessities, 1t
is submitted. The wisdom OF Congress may
perceive that, as valuable improvements sur
round the realty Of the Government, and as
the commerce of the country advances in
growth and prosperity, so should appropria-
tons to cover expenses be apportioned.
% The Mississippi River Commission. operat-
ing m accordance with an act approved June
70, 1879, submitted report which was duly
transmitted to Congress last March, and was
published by order of the House of Represent
ativeR The reporf hihifad for ha frat ti,na
estimates Of the appropriation required for
works OF Improvement therein described
amounting to So, l13,000, and it awaited further
consideration when the session closed The
commission has communicated to me its desire
to renew those estimates, and this communica-
ton Will be transmitted to Congress as matter
OF special Importance, not included, however
In the annual estimates and expenditures for
the service Of the department
In regard to the South pass Of the Mississippi
river, the Secretary says "The permanency Of
this important work seems to be assured from
the fact that there has been no failure what
ever in the maintenance OF the maximum
channel during the six months ending August
last- This Improvement has opened through
sands and shoals broad deep highway to the
ocean, and is one upon the permanent success
OF which congratulations may be exchanged
among people abroad and at home and es-
peclaliy among the communities Of the Missis-
suppl valley, whose commercial exchanges float
IN an unobstructed channel safely to and from
tse sea-
secretary kamsey oonours III the recommen
dation Of Gen. Sherman that Congress be asked
to give $4,000 enlisted men specifically to the
troops OF the line Of the army, and favors the
abandonment Of many small posts and tho con-
centration Of larger forces at strategic points
The absence Of q large number OF officers from
their regiments is alluded to, and action is rec
ommended looking to the relief OF the service
in this respect.
Secretary Ramsey indorses the recommenda-
ton OF the Adjutant General in relation to
placing uniformed State militia upon the same
footing in respect to its rules and forms az the
regular forces, and calls attention to the ne
cessity Of providing by legislation for the Or
gani2ation, arming and discipline of the mi
litia-
The affairs OF the Leavenworth military
prison, the Secretary says, have been oapably
administered during the year. He suggests,
however, that, In order to be entirely success
full and to carry out as far as possible the orig
inal design Of making tho Institution self-sus-
tanning, one important measure Of legislation
Is necessary, which Is the authority of Congress
to apply the earnings Of the prison to its main
tenance.
The Secretary says: "From personal in
spect4on Of many of the Notifications referred
to by the Chiof OF Engineers, am able to
emphasize his recommendations and beg to
condition Is discreditable TO the country. judy
ing from the history OF all other nations and
the experience of our own, the United States
wild, Notwithstanding cur traditional pacific
policy, find itself sooner or later at war with a
maritime power. When that war comes it will
come suddenly. There viii be no time after its
declaration to construct defenses, either fixed
or floating. Other nations have been for
some years and are now constructing fast
war steamers OF enormous size, lncased in iron
armor mp to two feet In thickness, and armed
with rifled guns weighing up 10 100 tons, carry
ing shot OF a tons weight, fred with little
short Of quarter of ton Of powder. II is
feared that tbs country does not appreciate the
fact that after o declaration OF war few days
or even hours might bring these great engines
OF destruction to our coast IL may DO TO New
York, or Boston, or Portland, or Baltimore, or
New Orleans, or San Francisco, or any point
the enemy may scsect- No one can estimate
the damage which may follow"
The works OF river aud harbor improvements,
and examinations, and surveys provided for by
the act OF March 8, 1879, and previous acts, were
carried on during the fiscal year with satisfac-
tory progress. The amount available therefor
July l., 1879, was Sl0, 772, 178. The amount ex-
pended to June 80. 1880, was 90, TIA, 221, leaving
a balance of a, 597, $50 to be expended during
the present fiscal year. TO which is to be added
appropriations by the River and Harbor act of
June IA 1880, amounting to a., 96l, 500. The act
81 June IA, 1880, makes provision for 349 works
OF Improvement, in sums varying from $500 to
50, 000 and for surveys and examinations with
q view to this Improvement Of LA localities.
In relation TO the Whitaker case, the Score
tary says II have refrained from commenting
upon the unfortunate agitation which flowed
from an alleged assault upon a colored cadet at
the West Point Academy in April last. for the
reason that, in some OF its legal aspects, the
subject Is still under consideration" ~
A New Play.
An amusing story is told of a we'll
known literary man who stammers. He
wrote play, and insisted upon reading
II to manager, who listened with com.
nendable patience. When he had fin
ished, the manager said: 81 am not
sure but il Is good idea to have all the
characters in the play stammer." "But