and such explanations are to be found in their annual reports, as well as in the report of the Chief of Engineers, to which attention is invited for further information under this head.

The Mississippi River Commission, operating in accordance with an act approved June 28, 1879, submitted a report which was duly transmitted to Congress last March, and was published by order of the House of Representatives (Ex. Doc. No. 58). That report exhibited, for the first time, the estimates of appropriations required for works of improvement therein described, amounting to $5,133,000, and it awaited further consideration when the session closed. The commission has communicated to me its desire to renew those estimates, and its communication will be transmitted to Congress as a matter of special importance, not included, however, in the annual estimates and expenditures for the service of this department.

IMPROVEMENT OF THE SOUTH PASS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

This improvement reached a point on the 8th day of July, 1879, at which time payments for creating the channel ceased and began to depend upon the maintenance of the work, at a standard marked out by law, as follows: A navigable channel twenty-six feet deep, at the head of the pass, and "a channel through the jetties, twenty-six feet in depth and not less than two hundred feet in width, at the bottom, and having through it a central depth of thirty feet, without regard to width."

The second series of the government's obligations, in compensation to Mr. James B. Eads, begun when this maximum channel was obtained, to continue with the maintenance of the channel, and to end in 20 years; the award to be as follows: Compensation for maintenance of the channel at the rate of one hundred thousand dollars per annum, to be paid in equal quarterly payments, and interest at 5 per centum per annum, on the one million dollars remaining as security in the possession of the United States, payable semi-annually. In view of an opinion rendered by the Attorney-General, the time of actual maintenance of the channel, as such time is distinguished from the measure of a calendar year, is that for which payments have been made on certified statements of an engineer officer detailed to ascertain and report the depth of water and width of channel.

The certified statements and the payments, as recapitulated, show that in the first quarter, namely, between July 8 and October 29, 1879, dates inclusive, there were 22 days of failure in some part to maintain the channel, and 92 days of maintenance-paid $25,000; that in the second quarter, namely, from October 30, 1879, to February 15, 1880, dates inclusive, there were 17 days of failure in some part to maintain the channel, and 92 days' maintenance-paid $25,000 for compensation, and $25,000 semi-annual interest on the $1,000,000 retained; third quarter, namely, February 10 to May 9, 1880, maintenance was for the full time-paid $25,000; and fourth quarter, namely, May 10 to August 9,

1880, maintenance for full time-paid $25,000 for compensation, and $25,000 for interest. Total paid as compensation and interest for maintenance of channel, $150,000; total previously paid for creating the channel, $4,250,000; aggregate cost to date, $4,400,000.

The permanency of this important work seems to be assured, from the fact that there has been no failure whatever in the maintenance of the maximum channel during the six months ending on August 9th last. This improvement has opened, through sands and shoals, a broad, deep highway to the ocean, and is one upon the permanent success of which congratulations may be exchanged among people abroad and at home, and especially among the communities of the Mississippi Valley, whose commercial exchanges float in an unobstructed channel safely to and from the sea.

THE ARMY.

The "organization of the Army" provides for 11 general officers; 555 officers and 1,286 enlisted men for the staff; 1,989 officers and 24,214 enlisted men for the line. Of these latter 694 are detailed as clerks, or are recruits unassigned to regiments, reducing the possible force for military service to 23,520 enlisted men.

The General of the Army in his report, to which, with the accompa nying reports of division and department commanders, attention is invited, notes the fact that the actual force must, at all times, be kept below that figure; that there must always be allowed for "sick," "detached service," and other unavoidable causes, at least ten per cent., reducing the available force to about 20,000 enlisted men. The General and Lieutenant-General of the Army concur in the opinion that the Army is too small in enlisted men to fulfill the heavy duties now imposed on it, and that it is overworked. The General renews his recommendation of last year that Congress be requested to give 25,000 enlisted men, specifically, to the troops of the line of the Army, and to make separate provision for the detachments of ordnance men, engineer battalion, hospital stewards, commissary-sergeants, West Point detachments, detailed clerks, &c., in the same manner as has already been done for the Signal Corps; in which I fully concur. The strength of the Army is limited by statute (section 1115, Revised Statutes) to not more than 30,000 enlisted men, but provisos contained in appropriation bills have limited expenditures to the enlistment of but 25,000. It is believed the full legal strength is the least possible force at which the present organization can be maintained, having in view efficiency, discipline, and economy. While the enlistment of this force would add somewhat to the appropriation for pay of the Army, the saving made in other directions would be very considerable, and the efficiency of the Army largely increased.

The history of events during the past year is fully detailed in the reports of division and department commanders and their subordinates, and while all complain more or less of the smallness of their companies

and consequent overwork of their men, it appears that they have been measurably successful in keeping the peace everywhere; in protecting the emigrants; in opening new districts; covering the various routes of travel, and in guarding the Indians on their lawful reservations. The rapid extension of the railroad system west of the Mississippi River, and the great tide of settlers which have flowed in upon new territory, impose on the military an entire change of policy. The maintenance of small posts along wagon and stage routes of travel is no longer necessary. An abandonment of many of these posts, and the concentration of larger forces than has heretofore been practicable at strategic points near the national frontier or at points of railroad intersection, so that detachments may be sent out promptly to districts where they may be needed, is now deemed advisable. This policy will tend to the more thorough drill and discipline of our small Army, by bringing together full regiments and fostering a proper esprit de corps. The adoption of this course will necessitate the building of permanent quarters at points selected, which should be of a more enduring character than those heretofore constructed. Under existing laws, permanent buildings cannot be erected without the sanction of Congress, and when sales of military sites and buildings have been authorized, the moneys received have reverted to the Treasury, and could only become available through a new appropriation. It is recommended that provision be made, by a general statute, for the sale of such abandoned military posts and buildings as are found to be unnecessary, and the application of the proceeds to the construction of other posts. While many of the present military posts are of but slight value, in a military view, owing to the changed coudition of the country, their occupation is continued at great expense and inconvenience, because affording the only available shelter for troops. Any expenditure upon the buildings at these posts would be a waste of money, yet such expenditures will be imperatively necessary to keep them habitable. The recommendation of the General of the Army that legislation of the character indicated be had is concurred in.

The large number of officers of the line of the Army absent from their regiments requires that some action be had looking to the relief of the service in this respect. The constant demand for the service of small detachments, each of which should be commanded by a commissioned officer, and the various details of officers for necessary service away from their commands, causes a scarcity in the number required for company duties. With a view to lessening this drain to some extent, it is recommended that Congress be requested to so amend the law authoriz ing the detail of officers from the active list as professors of tactics and military science at certain colleges and universities, as to provide that all such details be made from the retired list of the Army.

STATE, WAR, AND NAVY DEPARTMENT BUILDING

The construction of the building for the accommodation of the State, War, and Navy Departments has been confined during the year to the

completion of the east wing, and that of the north wing to the height of the third-story floor, involving the excavation for the building, its foundations and walls. This wing forms one of the portions of the entire structure to be used by the War Department, which is at present crowded, with some of its valuable records, into a part of the front allotted to the Navy Department. The necessities of the government service require that the new building for the War Department shall be pressed to completion as rapidly as possible, and the estimates for continuing its construction are especially recommended.

The Archive Office, Rebellion Record Office, important parts of the Adjutant-General's Office, the Quartermaster's Department, the Commissary Department, the Pay Department, the Medical Department, the Bureau of Military Justice, the Engineer Department, and the Ordnance Department, are now located in buildings outside of the State, War, and Navy Department, and it is apparent that, even when the latter is completed, it will not have area sufficient to accommodate them within its office space.

REPORT OF THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL.

The Adjutant-General of the Army points out the importance of placing the uniformed State militia upon the same footing, in respect to its rules and forms, as the regular forces, and to that end he has opened correspondence with the adjutant-generals of the States, indicating a warm desire to be of service to the State forces. It is needless to dwell upon the advantages to be derived from perfect uniformity of regulations for field and camp, and it is to be hoped that these efforts will end in the production of a trained force, so officered and disciplined as to be ready at once to be added to the regular army in time of need. It is not to be forgotten that, during the earlier period of our late civil conflict, time and resources were squandered which might have been husbanded by proper organization of the militia during the prior time of peace.

In this connection, I bring to the attention of Congress the necessity of providing by legislation for the organization, arming, and disciplining the militia, so ably set forth by the Chief of Ordnance.

During the last session of Congress the House of Representatives Committee on the Militia, after mature consideration, reported a bill (H. R. 5638), accompanied by a report (No. 763). The end and aim of this bill is to organize, arm, and discipline only a small portion of the able-bodied men, but to do so perfectly, that the country may at all times be in possession of 200,000 soldiers-citizen soldiers, as distinguished from the Regular Army, but soldiers in fact, in organization, in discipline, in the use of arms, and ready at a moment's call to take the field. To do this thoroughly and effectually requires arms, clothing, equipage, time expended in camp, enthusiasm and encouragement from the top through all the grades to the private soldier at the bottom, but,

first of all, a liberal appropriation by Congress to start and give a healthy impetus to the movement.

The object of this bill is simply stated by the committee in its report: "That if they (the States) will by their laws provide for and enforce such requirements as Congress deems necessary to secure an efficient militia, Congress will exercise its unquestioned constitutional power, and provide for arming such militia out of the National Treasury.”

The bill under consideration may not be complete in its provisions, nor perfect in its details, nor sufficiently comprehensive in its scope, but it fixes our active volunteer militia within practicable limits, makes it an intelligent living force, that can be utilized and controlled, and brings the protection of a legalized armed body of our citizens within easy reach of every portion of our country.

I have the honor to recommend this subject to your favorable consideration, in hope that the suggestions made will receive your approval, and that Congress will make liberal appropriations to supply all the wants of the active militia.

LEAVENWORTH MILITARY PRISON.

The affairs of the Leavenworth Military Prison have been capably administered during the past year. The institution has received the personal inspection of the Secretary of War and the board of commissioners.

Up to the close of the fiscal year, 1,818 prisoners have been confined, under sentences imposed by general courts-martial, principally for the crime of desertion. The prisoners have been kept usefully employeel, their moral improvement has been cared for, and on leaving the prison they are generally better men and better qualified to maintain themselves. No deaths have occurred among them. Regular inspections are made by a medical officer, and strict sanitary regulations enforced. A library has been provided, 667 volumes having been purchased. During the year 13 new buildings and extensions have been completed; 319 feet of prison-yard wall have been built, making 1,836 feet, in all, completed. The manufactories have turned out 1,915 barrack chairs, 65,000 tent pins, 15 field desks, and all the doors, sashes, &c., used for the buildings; 25,325 pairs of boots, and 31,458 pairs of shoes. Nothing is manufactured except for Army service. The grounds, cultivated by prison labor, have yielded 3,700 bushels of potatoes, 6,000 heads of cabbage, 1,000 bushels of corn, GS0 bushels of turnips, 260 bushels of onions, 1,000 bushels of tomatoes, and other eatables in sufficient quantity for the use of the prisoners.

In order to be entirely successful, and to carry out, as far as possible, the original design of making the institution self-sustaining, one important measure of legislation is necessary, which is the authority of Congress to apply the earnings of the prison to its maintenance. A bill for