The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-03
HI WAR OFFICE.
Expenditures and Estimates The Signal
Service and the State Militia.

Expenditures and Estimates The Signal
Service and the State Militia.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-THE expenditures for
the fiscal year ended June 80, 1888, were $780,
79l ,055.42. The appropriation Tor the fiscal
year 1854 is $31, 766, 952, O3, and the stimates
for 1885 amount to $44, 1856, 206.7s. The appro-
%priations for the support OF the signal service for
the fiscal year ended June 80, 1888, have been
found Insufficient, and estimates will be submit
ted to supply the deficiencies. Some difficulty
was experienced in carrying out the provisions
of the act of Aug. 7, 1882 t22 Statutes, 319j,
which limited the expenditures to $500, 900
from appropriations for support of the army, in
addition TO the so. cifo appropriations for that
service. Thirty-elghI days of the fiscal year had
already expired, ana, althnugn the best efforts of
the department were exercised TO keep the ex-
penditures within the limit of the appropria-
tons, its endeayOrs were not completely success
full.
Brief reference is made to the retirement Of
General Sherman and the accession to command
of Lieutenant-general Sheridan. The history of
the army during the past year has been one of
almost un0roken quiet, during which the troops
have been engaged in no more active duties than
those of guarding the Indian reservations, and
in keeping themselves prepared for any service
upon which they might be called. The only ex-
eention to this record occurred in Arizona, where,
last March, the Apaches made a raid and Killed
nine persons. This outbreak was followed by
General Crooks campaign, the results of which
are familiar.
The number of assertions from the army in
the past year was nearly $780,; only a few less
than the extraordinary number OF the year be-
fore. The most earnest efforts are being made
to ascertain, and, so far as possible, do away
with the causes of desertion. l beg leave to re-
new the recommendation made last year, that a
partial remedy may be fonnd by increasing the
pay to what it was in 1868, that is, SIG per
month for a private soldier and q proportionate
amount for officers.
THE SIGNAL SERVICE.
The report refers as follows to the Weather
Bureau:
The chief signal officer calls attention to the
insuficlency Of the appropriations made last
year for this work, arisingimaInly from the spe-
cific appropriations made In the last act being
less in amount than the customary expenditures
of the service, but In part out of what was no
no doubt an inadvertent omission to appropri-
ate, in the detailed appropriation bill enacted
especially for this service, for certain items Of
expense necessary II this service Is to be main
tanned. Undoubtedly omissions of this character
should be corrected if the service is to be sup
porter; but | trust that the temporary prohibit
tory legislation enacted at the last session of
Congress, preventing the Secretary of War from
making unlimited drafts at his discretion upon
military appropriations to carry out the pro-
visions of sections 22I and 222 Of the Revised
Statutes, which have.no relation to military mat
tiers, will be made permanent at the approachiGg
session Of Congress-; and that the making of sep
arate appropriations for the signal service will
be continued, so that the amount expended for 1t
will not be upon the sole responsibility of the
Secretary of War.
The annual report of tie operations of the
United States signal Office shows the number of
stations in operation TO be 376, or IlS less than
at the close Of the previous year. The number
of stations from which photographic reports have
been received is 1879. a decrease OF IL. Daily
reports have also be en- received from 335 foreign
stations. IRE gular reports from COS sea-gOing
vessels, and monthly reports rOm339 voluntary
Ohserve rs have heel received. The service has
10 off GERS and 500 enlisted men.
Out Of 1,5o7 cautionary signals disp dur