Morning journal and courier., 1880-12-03
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

The Navy-AnnuaI Report of Secretary
 ThOmpsOn-Expendftu for the Ser
 vfce-A Hospital Recommended for
 New LOndOn-The Navy Ally to
 Commerce.
 WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-Perhaps the most interesting annual report submitted to the President is that of Secretary Thompson of the Navy, submitted to-day The first part of the report is devoted to a statement of the number and name of vessels of the different squadrons and the various duties during the year. Next come the expenditures, etc., as follows: Expenditures-The amount of ap- propriations applicable to the current ex- penses of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880, was stated in my last annual report to be $14, ,5O2, ,25O.67. Of this amount $232, 265.72 is properly chargeable to deficiencies for previous years, to specific appropriations for small stores, and new propeller for the torpedo vessel Alarm, and for the support of | the naval asylums, as explained in my last report This sum should consequently be ! deducted and the sum of $236.25 should be added to the amount thus produced, inas- | much as it was subsequently appropriated for the naval observatory. This reduces the sum to $14, ,27o, ,221.2O. There was also 6 balance on hand at the beginning of the year | of S466, ,421.O9 on account of pay | of the navy, pay of the marine corps | and general account of advances The total gross amount, therefore, which was available | for the year was $14, FOG, GAP ,295, subject tC | a reduction by the surplus fund warrant ot | S31, ,99S. or which leaves the net amount l S14. 7O4, ,644 g. The expenditures were SIP, 916, 639 45, leaving balance unexpended a the end of the year of $1, 78S, 004.77. Tt this, however, should be added the ne
 amount unexpended in the hand of the pa.
 officers, as shown at the office of tht
 Fourth Auditor, $353, ,677.46, which show
 that the net expenditures for tn 1 fiscal year were $2, Al, ,692.23 les
 than the amount applicable therefor. Tn | amount of appropriations available for tn l operations of the present fiscal year endinl | June 30, 1881, is $15, ,035, 752.4 .45, to whicl
 should be added $59, ,309 transferred iron
 the navy pension fund to the naval asylum
 making 8 total of $15, ,O95, ,O61.45. Tn
 amount drawn by warrant from the Treasur from July 1, 1880, to November l, 1880,
 $5, ,O44, 57O.45, which exceeds the sum draw , during the same period of last year $366 COG. .66 The estimates for the fiscal yea
 ending June 30, 1880, for current expense
 are S15 925, 151. 61, exclusive of an eStimat
 of $2s, 500 for new buildings at the nav, academy recommended by the board of visi
 orS, which added to the foregoing makes
 total of $15, 953, ,751. .61. In this connectio
 he says that in previous reports attention ws called to the difficulties attending the di . bursement of the pay of the navy. In th
 attempt to make the same an annual appr' priation and subject to the restrictions ther
 to, the balance of appropriations Tapped an were made use of from year to year, and |
 money settlements of accounts of paymastel
 could be had until the expiration of cruis More recently this has been remedied and
 present monthly accounts have been returne to the Treasury. Attention is also called { the difficulty of estimating for that portion
 the navy afoat, that the exigencies of the SC
 vice make it imperative that disbursement
 shall be made instant and rendering it impo
 sible for the department to keep an absolut
 Iy strict current cost account without legisl
 tion covering the wants and defects enume ated. The consideration of Congress is i
 yited to this subject and it is recommends