National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-12-05

Indorsod-More Money wanted for
the Potomac Flats.
The Secretary Of War has submitted his
annual report TO the President. In IL he
gives close attention to the different
branches of his department and each bureau
makes most excellent showing. The ex-
penditures for the past fiscal year amount
TO 5,s5o,o99,54, including the sum of
s715,71S.72 credited to the Pacific railroads
for transportation services rendered to
the department. The sum Of $1,272,-
1875 pertaining to War Department
appropriations was covered to the surplus
fund June 30, 1885, For the current fiscal
year the appropriation amounts to $3l, 7B2,-
41340. The increase Of the expenditures
for 1885 over those of 1884 was mainly for
river and harbor improvements. There be-
ing no appropriation Of the kind this year
large reduction is shown as compared
with the appropriations Of previous years
The estimates for the year ending June 80,
1884, have been reduced to $48 ,20i, 1s34S.
The estimates for salaries and contingent
expenses for 1887 are less than the appro-
priations for the present year, and the Sec
Rotary hopes that the changes recommended,
which are deemed to be for the best interests
OF the service, may be favorably considered.
ARMY PROMOTIONS.
In regard TO the promotions TO the grade
OF major and lieutenant colonel and to
maintain the efficiency OF command, the
suggestions OF the adjutant general are
adopted as follows:
"0n the happening of vacancy the Off
Ger entitled to promotion should be com
missioned as major of infantry 'lIeutcn-
ant colonel OF artillery &C., as the case
may be, instead Of, as at present, major of
the-regiment Of infantry &c. The effect
OF the proposed change will be to enable
the lieutenant general Of the army TO assign
officers Of the line to the particular rcgi-
ment Of the same arm, In which their SER
vices may be Of the greatest benefit, look
ing to the highest efficiency Of the regi-
ment. This, II is believed, would eradicate
an evil which at any time may, through
disgust or despair, threaten the demoraliza-
ton of regiment otherwise possessed of
material able and willing to sustain its rep
utation."
In speaking of the troops IL is said that,
having made rapid progress in target prac-
tice, skirmish firing has been introduced and
figures Of men so arranged as to represent
hostile line OF sllirmishers have been substi-
tuted for the target. Gratifying results are
anticipated when the system is fully lnaugu-
rated.
Desertlons In the army during tho past
year have greatly diminished, but II is diff
cult to adiudge an adequate punishment
where q man has deserted several times
In case occurring recently the recruit had
previously deserted six times, and the mat
Ter ought to be brought to the attention of
Congress, in order that proper punishment
might be provided.
PROVISIONS FOR UNASSIGNED CADETS.
Speaking of the military academy at
West Point, II is stated that $315, 1853 so was
appropriated for this institution for the
aaal nj n
There were present Sept. l, 1885, 1913 ca.
diets, and the tone and discipline OF the
corps leaves little or nothing to be desired
The total number OF officers for duty at the
post including eight professors and two
surgeons, is fifty.eight.
The class which graduates In June next
numbers seventy-eight, and IN case vacan-
cies in the army are not sufficient to pro-
vide for all the graduates, 1t is recon-
mended that legislation be taken author
izing the retention of those electing to
serve as additional second lieutenants.
VARIOUS REFORMS RECOMMENDED.
In the adjutant generals department at
tention is called to the militia and some
better system than now in force to place
this arm Of national defense on higher
plain is urged. After dwelling upon the
military prisons, pension work, &C., the
report calls attention to the fact that q
large portion Of the official records of his
office Is rapidly falling into decay, and the
Secretary suggests that their preservation
demands serious consideration. He con-
ours In the opinion OF the inspec or gen
eral "that a consolidation of the 119 gar
risoned military posts into smallet num-
her, with corresponding increase of garr-
sons, would improve the efficiency OF the
army and promote economy, and 1t is being
done as rapidly as the appropriations will
allow. He also invites attention, as does the
commissary general, to the importance Of
having trained cooks and bakers"
1t is shown from the judge advocate gem
erals department that the number of trials
by courts-martial was 1928, an increase OF
dS over last year.
The surgeon generals report shows that
the total number Of deaths In the army was
263, and refers to the increase In the
library. In closing he says "Tho strong
possibility II not probability, of an inva-
sion Of cholera before the close Of the en-
suing fiscal year makes 1t desirable that
Congress make provision to enable the de-
partment to adopt every means within its
province TO prevent, so far as possible, the
spread OF this disease In the army
From the engineer bureau the attention
OF Congress is invited to the defenseless
condition of the sea coast and lake frontier,
and reference is made to a report OF the
chief Of engineers submitted to the last
session of Congress. A statement is also
given Of the work accomplished In the re-
moval of wrecks, sc.
wAsHINGToN's WATER SUPPLY.
In speaking of the increased water sup
ply for this city II is stated that satisfac-
tory progress has been made. The dam
across the Potomac river at Great Falls Is
nearly completed, and the funds ON hand
ere sufficient. The tunnel has been exca-
waited for distance Of 1880 feet, leaving
unfinished 7,2l5 feet. The contract now
calls for completion of the tunnel by June
30, 1885, but this Is not likely TO be accom-
plished. The fluids available for the work
will be exhausted by Feb. /, 1886, aud I'M
less further appropriation is made available
by that date, Operations must be sus'
pended, thereby causing delay In bringing
the increased supply Of water to the city,
and at additional cost. 1t ia estimated
that S395,O00 will be required to complete
the tunnel, which II is recommended may
be appropriated In the early days of the
session. An additional appropriation is
also necessary to complete the reservoir,
upon which satisfactory progress has been
made. Estimates for the whole work have
been submitted, amounting to $4,000,
THE POTOMAC FLATS.
In relation to the reclamation Of the flats,
IL is stated that the appropriation of $780,
600 VIII be entirely expended at the close OF
the present fiscal year. 1t is desirable that
the next appropriation should be In a larger
sum- us tne Improvement mas now proceeded
so far that certain portions must DO finished
as soon as possible, to prevent possible
damage by freshets. After that is expended
the work could go on to the end with
smaller appropriations. The sum OF $780,
eco could be proiitably expended during
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887. AS
the health Of the city is thought TO be In
some degree dependent upon the compile
ton of this Improvement, the appropriation
is commended to the favorable consldera-
iiOn of Congress-.