Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-12-05
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
The Secretary of War, Robert t. Lincoln

The Secretary of War, Robert 7. Lincoln,
reports the expenditures of the fiscal year
1888 to have been S4s, 7s1, 055 ~, and 81, $685.
Isl SO was credited besides to the subsidized
railroads for transportation.
The appropriations for the fiscal year 1884
amount to s31 766, 952 0S, of which S2,641,-
92S OF is for the Signal Service and miscells-
neous objects. The estimates for the fiscal
year 1885 are S44. $50, 206 rs. This contem-
plates the addition of fifty additional clerks
in the Signal Office. For the Signal Service
50. 27S, 926 AZ is required.
The Secretary recommends that regiments
of infantry be composed hereafter OF twelve
companies, making three bsttslions of four
companies each, and in time of peace but two
of the battalions to be msintsined on q war
footing, while the third battalion, with full
complement Of cficers, be nucleus for re-
cruits. This would enable large effective
force to be put into the field on shert notice
by merely enhsting enough private soldiers TO
fill the ranks.
In 1888 an additional company hss been
equipped in each artillery regiment as light
battery, so there are now ten light batteries
Quiet marked the history of the army in
1888, broken only by the Indian difficulty in
Arizona. An agreement has been made be-
tween the War and Interior Departments
giving General Crook the police control of all
Indians on the San Carlos rcssrvstion. Cen
ersl Sherman, says the Secretary, believes if
General Crook is permitted to manage tie
Apaches in his own way, all wars will cease
in Arizons, and with them will disappear the
complicated Indian question.
There were 3, 600 assertions from the army
in the fiscal yesr 1888. The Secretary recom-
mends increase of the pay of private soldiers
to SIG per month.
The reports concerning the Military Acad-
envy are fattering.
The Adiutant- General recommends that
enlisted men who have served for 80 years be
retired in full pay Of the grade filled on re-
tirement.
A gratifying progress in responding to re.
quests for information il pension and other
claims is reported.
He details the statistics relative to the Sol
diers' Homes. In the Government Hospital
for the Insane there are 46 inmates from the
army.
There is no change worthy of note in the
conduct of the affairs of the Military Prison
at Fort Leavenworth.
The statistics of the Bureau of Military
Justice are given, and are unimportant.
The Qusrtermsster-Ge Department
at the beginning of the last fiscal year, had
at tie close of The year had sn unexpended
balance.
There have been authorized ninety new
buildings, st an estimated COS of S147, IFS.
Steps have been taken for the erection of
the hot Springs Hospital for SS5, SS5. the
lowest bid.
As the Indian difficulties are so nearly set
tied, ard Indian wars very unlikely, the
economy of the army will be increased by
assembling the troops at important points in
larger, permanent garrisons, and their eff
cheney will be promoted.
OF fifty railroads in debt to the United
States for material sold to them in 1860 &c,
forty.s have settled their debts. As TO the
other four, it is doubtful if "a settlement will
ever be reached.
The army has 16 400 animals. It sold in
1885, 936 cavalry and artillery horses, l23
draught hors ], and 553 mules. The other
usual statistics Of forage issues, wood, ETC.,
are given.
The Government lost 1859 SO By loan of
tents to sufferers by the Mississippi overflow.
There are So national ceme' :ries under the
care of the Quartermaster's Department.
The statistics of the subsistence and medical
departments are given. The Pay Depart
ment accounts for SD, 400, $40 "a. The Sec
rotary urges the repeal of the law refusing
mileage to officers travelling on business over
Ind grant roads.
Especial attention of Congress is called to
the Engineer reports relative TO our coast de-
lenses. Our sea coast and its great cities and
harbors are defenseess to-day against assault
by modern ironclad. The Secretary says
it is humiliating to even imagine the hiortif-
cation, loss of life, property, and prestige to
which we would be subject should war come
suddenly upon us, as the history of nations
shows may happen at aay time. 1t is a
matter not only Of prudence, but OF absolute
necessity, that our coast defenses, so long
neglected, should be built up at once.
There was in the treasury November l.,
1888, for improving harbors and rivers, an
unused amount in the sum of 81, All, 092 SO.
Concerning the Improvement Of the South
Pass of the Mississippi, the Secretary says up
to September 9, 1888, there was no failure of
maintenance of the channel. The amount
expended to that date was 81, $50, 0CJ. An
appropriation is needed to make surveys and
measurements of water depth required by
W, and tire widths of the channels main
ned at The South Pass.
During tie year 80, 621 small arms were
manufactured at the Springfield Armory. The
magazine guns are in process of construction.
Much attention has been given by the Ord
nance Bureau in making, testing and convert
ing rified cannon according to tho act of
March 3, 1888 1t was found the forgings for
steel tubes and Jackets for eioht.inch guns
cannot be produced in this courtfy, and they
had to be ordered from England.
Liberal support of the Signal Service is
urged by the Secretary.
Mere reference TO the facts is made to the
Proteus and Yantic relief expeditions, but in
a supplement to The report it is added that no
new expedition will be sent to the relief of
Lieutenant Greedy this year. as it is deemed
impossible to reach him yet. Strong hopes
are held out and evidences cited Of the proba-
bility that he and his party are safe, and are
sufficiently provided with stores.
The general examination of the Union and
Confederate records Of the War of the Rebel.
lion has been completed, and nine volumes
have been published, while twelve others are
either in the hands Of or ready for the
printer
The Yorktown monument is to be COM
pleted by October, 1854.
More attention III IN ever before is being
given in many States to the improvement of
the militia. United States officers are sent
whenever asked tor, to attend militia en-
campnents and instruct and adj Use. The
Secretary urges Congress to give substantial
encouragement to the formation of volunteer
militia organizations in every State, as the
Secretary puts it, "Dy liberal appropriations
to supply the necessary arms, equipments,
tents, ammunition, and other ordnance stores.
With our small standing army, our msiu de.
pendence for public defense must be on our
militia and the wisdom Of the compare
lively small expenditure which would eDcour
age their organization, and their efficiency in
drill and discipline, seems apparent. In the
last Congress bill on this subject was re-
ported from the Senate Committee on Mill
tsry Affairs Is. l. $3.50. by which it vas con.
fam MA tpn at in n
5000. 900 provided by the Act of the 23d of
April, 1908, the sum Of 100000 should be
annually appropriated, the purposes for
which it should be used being more extended
than under the provisions Of the old Act. A
careful consideration of the proposed Act
leads to the belief that its enactment would
be o great public benefit, and l strongly
recommend the passage of such a law"
WHEN AND WHERE WAS THE FIRST
Gas LIGHT USED 1T is not easy to say