Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 November 1883 — ARMY AND NAVY. [ARTICLE]

ARMY AND NAVY.

Reports of the Army Quartermaster and Commissary Generals. Some Points from the Reports of Heads of Naval Bureaus. THE ARMY. FEEDING THE BOTS IN BLUE. The report of the Commissary General of the army for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1883, shows that the total resources for that year were $3,027,209, and the total expenditures $3,220,308, leaving a balance of $706,901. The additional 2 per cent, on cost Is still charged on all sales to officers and enlisted me* (except sales of tobacco .to the latter), in accordance with the decision of the Secretary of- War. The clause requiring the extra charge was omitted from the Appropriation bill for the year ending June 30, 1884. Daring the year 118 newspaper advertisements and 87 circulars for proposals were reported and 2,217 contracts made. The average contract price per pound for fresh beef for the year 1883 was 10.11 cents per pound, and for 1884 10.01 cents. The losses In the transportation of subsistence stores, for which no one was found responsible, during the year amounted to $13,350. The total losses by storms, fire, accidents and thefts were $2,222. The subsistence stores condemned during the year involve a net loss of $14,661. Attention is invited to the nocessity of providing good cooks and bakers fer the army. TRANSPORTATION, ETC. The report of the Quartermaster General of the Army shows that the total resources were $15,051,856, the expenditures $13,750,577. The construction of ninety new buildings, such as barracks, quarters, stables, storehouses, guardhouses, etc., have been authorized at an estimated cost of $147,178. Kepairs to existing buildings have been authorized at an estimated cost of $125,599. An appropriation Of $125,000 is urged to replace the building used as it recruiting-depot and training-school for recruits at David’s Island, N. Y. The expenses for transportation amounted to $2,149,051. The expenses of military transportation not paid out of the regular appropriation comprised that provided over bonded Pacific railroads, $845,114, which is credited on the debts of these railroads, and that provided over land-grant railroads, to which 50 per cent, of tariff rates is paid under act of Congress of June 30, 1882, making a special appropriation of $125,000 for«that purposo. The unsettled accounts of the Union Pacific, Kansas Pacific, Central Pacific, and Sioux City and Pacific roads amount to $1,508,165. The earnings of these railroads on account of military transportation from their first opening to June 30, 1883, amount to $13,251,107. Special attention is called to the debts of the Southern railroad companies to the United States for purchase of railway material in 1865 and 1866. The report says that of fifty railroads so indebted the acpounts of forty-six have been closed and pettLed. The four railroads still in debt to the United States have made no cash payments for several years, and the indications are that the present unsettled and unsatisfactory condition of affairs will continue indefinitely until Congress shall interpose. It is recommended that the Quartermaster General’s office be relieved of this entire business. ORDNANCE. The report of the Chief of Ordnance shows that 33,621 arms were manufactured at the National armory during the year. Contracts have been made for converting fifty ten-inch Rodmans into eight-inch rifles and making four large brea'ch-loading rifles. It has been found that steel hoops for banded guns manufactured in this country are fully equal in quality to the best hoops of European manufacture. It is recommended that the converson of ten-inch smooth-bores into eight-inch rifles be continued, that over 300 fifteen-inch smooth-bores be improved so the heaviest charges may be used, and that Congress encourage the formation of volunteer organizations in every State, district and city by making liberal appropriations for arming the same.