Morning journal and courier., 1880-11-30
coming changes in the Army.

WASHINGTON Nov. 29.-There are all the surface indications of number of retirements
 of army officers at an early day. These re- tirements have been talked of for two years past and been considered from time to time. It now looks as if a number of changes will take place soon after Congress assem-
 bles. There are @ number of officers in the army eligible for retire. ment, and it is believed @ clean sweep will be made. General McDowell, General Ord, Surgeon General Barnes Inspector-Gen-
 eraI Marcy and QuartermasterG General Meigs are those of the highest rank that can be re-
 tired. There are number of others lower
 down. It is not known who are being con-
 sidered for vacancies that will thus be made.
 General O. O.. Howard has been ordered
 here He is now brigadier-ge general. He
 will be promoted to major-general by the re-
 tirement of Mcdowell. General Hazen is
 spoken of as probable successor to General
 Meigs General Ingalls, is now a candidate
 for Meig'sEplace Chief Medical purveyor Col
 onel Baxter is thought to have pretty good
 chance for Surgeons General Barne's position.
 Our Navy-Condition of the Marine Corps
 The Strength in Vessels.
 WASHINGTON, Nov. 29.-In his annual re-
 port just submitted to the Secretary of the
 Navy the commandant of the marine corps
 says: ''The 3Oth of September last there
 were ,39O enlisted men in the corps, of
 whom 974 were on board on ships in commis-
 sion and 916 at the several shore stations. Much difficulty exists at the several naval
 stations in performing the duty required for
 the lack of men. It is of the utmost i'm
 portance to the interest of the whole service
 that Congress should appropriate for 2,0OO privates as is allowed by the act of July, 1861, and for this purpose agreeably to your order estimates have been submitted for that num- ber It is also of great importance that more lieutenants be appointed, and 1t IS hoped the department will urge this matter upon the at tention of Congress. A recent inspection of ports at the different naval stations shows them to be in a very creditable condition and the officers and men well instructed in their duties. Legislation defining the manner of appointment in corps, and promotion and ap- pointments in the staff, is much needed. Re cruiting is carried on at the recruiting off ces in Philadelphia, New York, Boston and Mare Island, California; but owing to the great prosperity now existing, work being plenty, there is some difficulty in enlisting men fast enough to keep pace with discharges, 1 &c. In conclusion the commandant urges that the commandant of the corps be again l to the grade of brigadier- general.
 Chief Easby of the navy bureau of con- l struction and repairs reports that the amount l appropriated for the present year, 1S79-SO, | was $1 ,5OO, GOO; amount expended, $1, 40O,- | OOO The report rehearses in detail the work | performed at the several navy yards in the | construction and repair of vessels, and gives | the present number and class of vessels com l prising our navy, as follows: In commis- | sion Steamers, 29; sailing ships, f :; moni- | tors, s; torpedo boats, 2; total, 43. In ordi | nary Steamers, IS; sailing vessels,s mon itors, '. Receiving ships: Steamers, 3; sail ing ships, 3; monitor, 1. Storeships Steamer, l :; sailing ships, 3. On the stocks: 5; sailing ship, 1; monitors, f; ronclads, 3; repairing steamers, 9. At the | Naval Academy: Sailing ships, 3: monitor, 1. Public Marine School: Sailing ship 1. Tugs | of all kinds at yards and stations, 25. Total | number of vessels, 139 In closing his report | Chief Easby says: "A brief inspection of he foregoing list of vessels will show the | necessity of an increase in the number of eff ,ient vessels for the navy. The finishing of | he five monitors and two cruising ships now | 1nder way and the improvement and repairs | o the Dictator are of the first importance.