Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-12-10

$50 we're sent to the governor Of Missouri, by
order Of the War Department. and Is to
citizen of the State, under the act OF 23d OF
April, 1880, for relief of the victims Of the
tornado which devastated part of that State
They have not vet been returned. Old and
condemned clothing of the stock of the late
war has been transferred to the National
Home for Disabled Volunteers, under the act
of 23d January. 1873, TO the value of $685.
23s77.''
Attention is again invited to the
danger of destruction of most valuable rec
ords from the insecure building IN which the
Ouartermaster-Generars Office Is situated
The recommendation that an appropriation OF
900, 900 be made for purchasing site and
erection of fire-proof storehouse or hall OF
records convenient to the Executive Depart
ments and for the use of all of them, Is re-
newed.
There are so national cemeteries.
containing at end of the year the graves of
10. 997 known and I47 .i95 unknown persons"
1t is recommended that the adjudication OF
war claims under the act of July 4, 1854, now
on file be transferred to some other tribunal.
The report 0: the Surgeon-General shows
gratifying state of health throughout the
ARMY. The PasmasteF-G enerai recommends
that the laws in reference TO leaves OF ab-
sence of officers Of tine Army be repealed. as
he regards them as harsh and unjust IN their
operation, and very unequal. The report OF
the Chief of Engineers shows that our FORTH
cations are not in a condition for the defense OF
important cities and depots of military and
naval supplies, in case of war with any of
the maritime powers. These powers have
b. en- RAPIDLY and steadily increasing their
means for offensive warfare. while the United
States has been for years retrograding IN Its
means for carrying on such a war This ap-
pears from the fact that the small annual APP
propriations limited by law to the protec-
ton, preservation, and the repair of our sea-
coast defenses (Which are more exposed than
any of our public works, except lighthouses,
TO the destructive action of the elements).
have proved inadequate even for these pur-
poses. many essential works of repair re-
naming unexecuted for want of funds. J"
From personal observation, the Secretery be-
lieyes the present condition of our fOrtitca-
tions to be s'discreditable to the country"
MANY important recommendations are made
in this connection.
Ii is recommended that Congress provide
sufficient appropriations 10 enable the depart
mcnt TO manufacture reserve supply of
small arms each year, so that the country
may be prepared for emergencies. Our
armories and arsenals should be stocked
with war material. our fortresses well armed
and our militia well organized, armed, and
equipped, so that in case of war, we may be
able, together with our small force OF regu-
lar troops, to create an efficient army and
put it into the field. The Chief Signal ON,
Ger reports that the established course OF
drill and instruction in military signaling and
telegraphy. meteorology, and the signal ser
vice duties at stations of observation and re-
port, together with the military drills, has
continued at the School of Instruction and
Practice, at Fort Whpple, Virginia.
For the benefit of agriculture and COM
mercial interests one hundred ana nlnety-siA