Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-11-19
PAYMENTS TO THE ARMY.
Facts and Recommendations From thu
Annual Report of llen. Rochester.

E Paymaster General Rochester, in his annual
report to the Secretary OF War, states that the
total amount to be accounted for during the
year was S15, ,175, 14O.67. The disbursements
were: To the army, S12,912, ,7OO.O1; to the Mil
itary academy, S2OS ,6O4.7O; to the signal SER
vice, S23O, ,947. So and to volunteers ION Treas
ury ceriifcates), $92, ,4SO.55, making total OF
3,444, 1915. So lar as his office has been
advised, he says, there has been no delinquency
In the prompt payment of troops, and lie COM
mends tie officers of the department for the
discharge Of their duties, especially the officers
on duty in the department OF Arizona and the
district Of New Mexico. Notwithstanding the
fact that the troops in the recent Indian CAIN
Palgn on the Mexican border were scattered
into numerous camps. posted distant from all
usual lines Of travel and reached only after days
Df dangerous and fatiguing travel, The Uuty Oi
paying these troops was promptly performed.
Ihe edlsbursements,aggrega ,444, ,733.io
were mace Without loss TO the government.
s AVAILABLE AND UNAvAILABLE OFFICERS.
E The available officers of the department on
duty are fOrty-three. The officers not avail
able are COL q. l.. Febiger, assistant paymaster
general, now on leave at the expiration OF
which he will proceed home and await retire
Ii. b. Reese, awaiting orders ut his own request
since March 22, 1855; Major p. r. u. Hall, on
sick leave since April p, 1884; Major j. p.
Willard, awaiting orders at his own request
since september "a, 1885; Major H. u. Thomas,
Oh sick leave since March :, 1854. The Iour
last named officers have applied TO be retired
under the prOvisOO OF the act of July ), 1884 that
any paymaster OF the rank of major who has
served twenty years in the army AS commits
stoned officer may, upon his own application
or by direction oil The President, be placed upon
the retired list of the army. AS no vacancies
will be created by the retirement of these Ofti-
GERS, II is recommended that their requests be
granted.
SOLDIERS DEPOSITS.
The deposit system authorized by the act OF
May n, 1s12, seems to be growing in favor
with the enlisted men or tue army. The NUM-
Der OF deposits made during the last fiscal year
Was 1881, amounting TO S469, ,O31 80, showing
All increase over the pre-. lOus year Of 22S in
number and OF S4l ,4l3.59 in amount. The
number OF new accounts opened with aepositors
during the year was 1,551, AS against All in
the previous year. Since the act went into
enecI, July 1872 10 The close Of the last fiscal
year the total amount OF deposits Was S5.5U6,-
o43.l IL, ana OF the fepayments, 81, 426, ,392. 10,
ieaving a balance OF 81 O19, sol. % 10 Tie credit
oi the uepOsitOrS. This Is consiuered a crediLa-
ole showing Tor the enlisted inen of the army.
PAYMASTERS' CHECKS.
1t is recommended that the necessary legisla-
ton be asked TO direct that the checks OF the
disbursing officers OF the pay department be
forwarded, alter payment, at the end OF each
month, by the TREASURER, the several assistant
treasurers and United States depOSitOrieS on
whom they are drawn, through tie paymaster
generals Office for nie with the vouchers re-
ceived therefor by the pay masters. Tie bring
ing together of the voucher and the evidence of
It's pay inent, when paid Dy check, wound COM
plete The record III the hands o.. the accounting
officers thai the payment had been made to the
party entltle. 10 the satne. SuOil Il regulation
would also speedily develop any instance OF the
Issue vi u check against an Official credit tor q
purpose not authorized by law.