National Republican., 1883-11-08
ARMY c1orniNa AND STORES.

Facts Presented in the Report OF the
Qu0rtermastcr General - RecoInmendia-
tions Made.
The annual report Of tho quartermaster
general Of the army, for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1883, shows that the total resources
were S15,051, ,S56, the total expenditures $13,-
756,677 leaving balance on hand June 80,
1883, of S1.29j279. During tho year over two
hundred officers of the line performed duty rs
acting quartermasters, and rs such wero
charged with the responsibility for public
property and most of them with tho disburse-
mcht of public funds. The customary sum of
800 per annum allowed acting as
sistant commissaries of subsistence for
care of provisions should be allowed
these officers and the unjust discrimination
against them thus abolished. Tho appoint
ment Of an enlisted man as post quarter
master sergeant is recommended at every por-
manent post garrisoned by not less than two
companies, and that one enlisted clerk be al
| lowed each post quartermastor The construc-
ton of ninety new buildings, such as barracks,
quar- ur's stables, store houses, guard houses,
&C., have been authorized, at an estimated
cost of S117,17S. Repairs to existing build.
ings have been authorized at an estimated
cost of d525j0. The sum of S51, ,s52 has been
authorized for improving the water supply
tary posts.
The sum of S74,96s has been authorized in
the construction and repair of hospital build
ings. The sale of 106 buildings located in
Maine, Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas,
Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado has been
authorized. For the care and maintenance
of pest cemeteries the sum of $5,0S0 has been
set aside. In regard to quartering troops the
necessity for so many very small and scat
tered military posts is fast diminishing, in
asmuch as the Indians arc collected on per-
manont reservations, but at the same time
the necessity for larger permanent posts
near Indian reservations and frontiers is in
croasing. An appropriation of $l25,000 is
nrged to replace the old dilapidated and un-
suitable building used Us recruiting depot
and training school for recruits ut Davids
island. near New York city. The sum of
100000 is necessary to rebuild tho recruiting
quarters at Jefferson barracks. The expenses
for transportation during the year amounted
to $2,14D.05l The expenses of military
transportation, not paid out of the regular APP
preparation, comprise that provided over
bonded Pacific railways in value $S45, la.
which is credited on tho debts of those rail-
ways and that provided overland grant rail
ways to which 80 per centum of tariff rates is
paid under act of congress of June 30, 1882,
making special appropriation of S125,0 for
that purpose, all Of which will probably be
needed to pay for such service. The unset
tied accounts of the Union Pacific, Kansas
Pacific, Central Pacific, and Sioux City and
Pacific amount to $l,50S165. The earnings
of these railways on account of military
transportation from their first opening to
juno 30, 1888, are $l3,254, 107.
Special attention is called to the debts of
the southern railway companies to the United
States for purchase of railway material in
1865 and 1866. or fifty railways so indebted
the accounts of forty-six have been closed and
l,l ilttyp,. =ti i,,l lnht 10
United States have made no cash payment for
several years, and the indications are that tho
present unsettled and unsatisfactory condi-
I'tion of affairs will continue indefinitely, I'M
less congress shall interDose. 1t is recon.
mendod that the quartermaster gen
erals office be relieved of this
entire business, and that it be
transferred to some moro suitable department
of the government. The total number of
miscellaneous claims and accounts on file in
the office now are 14,450, amounting to 81, ,42l,-
100 Of these, 1904, amounting to SG3G,525,
were acted upon, leaving the remainder un-
settled. Action was also taken on 1893 claims
for quartermasters' stores, amounting to 3d.,
492,2OS, leaving unsettled 11,974 claims,
amounting to $6,323,355. Authority has
been obtained to sell all the surplus old
war stock on hand at depots not
required for issue during the next five years,
and instructions to dispose of it have been
|
! the relief of sufferers by the overflow of the
| Mississippi to the value of 5000, articles to
! tho value of S4,360 have not been returned.
! This is the case generally when property Of
the government is diverted from its appro-
| priato use. The number of national military
! cemeteries now under the care and control of
the quartermaster generals department is
| eighty-three and the number Of interments
32l,360.
Tho necessity of extending the Cypress
Hills cemetery is pressed. For the perpetual
occupancy and use of the national cemetery
by the United States, it seems but just and
reasonable that tho Soldiers home, near
| Washington, should be compensated. The
suggestion that the projected new park on the
| Potomac river flats be connected with the
Arlington grounds by means of a bridge
meets with the hearty approval of the quar-
termaster general, and he invites special at
tention to the subject.
The grounds of the Arlington cemetery
have been provided with substantial and per-
inanent improvement, and with the care and
attention devoted to its maintenance, always
presents handsome and attractive appear
ance. 1t is in reality not only place of
sepulture, but an extensive park of rare
beauty, complete within itself, aud it seems
| but fitting that il should form part of the
comprehensive system Of improvements and
identifying of the river front of Washington
contemplated and inaugurated by special
| Il .nep