Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-11-14

WASHINGTON, November 12.-The annual
reports Of the Commissary General of Sub
sistence and the Inspector General of the
army have been submitted to the Secretary
OF War. The Commissary General says
the resources and expenditures Of the
Subsistence Department for the past year,
and the balances remaining unexpended on
June 30, 1881, are set forth, and the
various statistics connected with the
moneterY transactions of the de-
psrtment are also given by him. Atten-
ton Is invited to the clause IN the appropri-
ton laws requiring 10 per cent. per snnum
to be charged officers and enlisted men in
excess OF the original cost price to the
United States on all subsistence stores sold
them, and legislation is recommended by
which sales will hereafter be made to Off
GERS and enlisted men at cost price. Issues
Of subsistence by the department to Indians
during the past year are tabulated In the
report, and legislation is suggested which
will not leave the Subsistence Bureau OF the
War Department subject to contribution
for the maintenance OF the Indians when
ever the appropriations for the
Indian Bureau become for any
reason exhausted. The outcome OF
the discussion OF the sufficieDcy
OF the army ration by officers who have
given great attention to the subject seems to
indicate the sufficiency of the present ra-
tion as q whole. A reorganization and in
crease of the force OF civil employees In the
Office of the Commissary General is recon-
mended, and the services of enlisted men in
clerical capacities recommended to be dis
pensed with.
The Inspector General reports the disci-
pline of the troops good and constantly i'm
proving. The troops are all well armed,
clothed and equipped. Great Improvements
hsve been made during the past year, in
building and renovatiDg barracks, particu-
larlV IN the West and South. The amount
OF work done by the troops not military in
its nature, such as building, driving
teams, ETC., is considerable, and
causes much dissatisfaction and de-
sertion, and he recommends the
employment of private citizens for this pur-
pose. Recent events. he says, demonstrate
forciblY the importance Of having strong
force at or near all the Indian agencies.
The wild Indians, the Inspector General
concludes, have great respect for the force.
1t is suggested that the troops In the In
dian country be collected in larger garri-
sons. The orders now In force pre-
venting the sale Of liquor on reser-
vations where military posts are 10
Gated have not worked satisfactorily, as
many grog shops are now located outside
the reservations, and soldiers 90 there and
drink to much greater excess than If they
purchased of the post trader. He recon-
mends modification OF the existing law so
that soldiers may be employed as servants
by the officers, who should pay the soldier
for such service and the soldiers army pay
to revert to the government.
EXCHANGING UNITED STATES BONDS.
1t has been customary for the United States
Treasurer, upon the receipt of bonds proper
! ly assigned to him in exchange for other
bonds on file with him as security for
national bank circulation, 10 surrender the
bonds on file pending the transfer OF
the new bonds on the books of the
department., during which transfer the
bonds are not in his possession. Being re-
Gently advised that If such bonds sre lost OF
mislsid in the department he is personally
responsible, the Treasurer has issued a cir
cular stating that no bonds deposited
as security for circulation or public
deposits shall hereafter be sur
rendered or allowed 10 pass from
the custody of this Office except upon the
surrender of the circulating notes, deposit
Of lawful money, deposit of other bonds in
the name of the Treasurer Of the United
| States in trust, or in cases of depository
banks upon order Of the Secretary OF the
| Treasury.