lying west and south in which military operations are conducted, and which for years to come will need military protection, render it altogether the best and most suitable point in all this country as the headquarters of the military forces, and the depot for all military supplies.

The cavalry forces, which are required to protect the long lines of rail and wagon road leading west and south from the Missouri River, and the exposed settlements in Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico, are only needed for active service during the summer months, (say from May 1 to November 10.)

During this season alone are the Indians able to carry on hostile operations in any part of this great region, and, except for the protection of prominent points, the cavalry alone is efficient against them. The expense of keeping up cavalry, very considerable under any circumstances, is increased in geometrical ratio with its distance from forage-producing districts.

Keeping cavalry at remote posts on the Plains during the winter is a very great, and, under existing circumstances, an unnecessary expense. In the summer only they are needed in these remote places, and during that season they can be almost wholly subsisted on the prairie grass. For economy's sake and for other sufficient reasons, it is very desirable, when the season for field operations closes, to bring in the cavalry to points where it can be most cheaply subsisted and brought into condition for active and efficient use at the least expense. Fort Leavenworth better fulfills these conditions than any other point that could now be chosen, and, being already the property of the Government, it would seem that good policy should prompt the immediate adaptation of its extraordinary advantages to these purposes.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

Fort Leavenworth was built originally for a cavalry post. It contains barracks and quarters for ten companies. The barracks for four companies are now used (though badly fitted for the purpose) for the offices of department headquarters and the officers' quarters for the offcers of the department staff and the depot.

Appropriation should be made for constructing suitable buildings for department officers and quarters for officers belonging to the department staff elsewhere on the reservation.

The depot buildings should be enlarged and convenience of storage of public supplies increased. By these means the entire post could be given up to the cavalry. During the summer one building for barracks for two companies should be put up, so that the post would hold twelve companies of cavalry. The quarters for officers for that number of companies are already built.

I therefore ask that the Secretary of War recommend a special appropriation for these purposes of $350,000, to be expended under his direction, and in accordance with plans approved by him.

It is my well-considered opinion, as I know it to be that of the General-in-Chief of the Army, General Sheridan, and every officer of rank who has ever served here, that every interest of the Government in its military service would be promoted by such legislation as is here recommended.

In this connection I invite attention to the remarks and recommendations contained in my annual report, dated October 31, 1870, under the head of "Fort Leavenworth," to the nature of the services of the cavalry in this department, as set forth therein, and to the want of suitable

quarters and stabling for that arm of the service at the posts on the Plains during the winter season, as well as to the largely increased expense of maintaining it at those posts as compared with Fort Leavenworth.

I am, General, respectfully, your obedient servant,

General WM. T. SHERMAN,

JNO. POPE, Brevet Major General, Commanding.

General-in-Chief of U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.

[ Indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Washington, D. C., January 7, 1871.

Respectfully forwarded to the Secretary of War, approved and recommended.

Fort Leavenworth is the most valuable military reservation in the West. It will always be the most appropriate depot and headquarters of a department, and should have barracks for a battalion of infantry, regiment of cavalry, and suitable buildings for headquarters. These in part already exist, and the appropriation herein asked for is deemed ample to begin and complete the whole. In my judgment, it is better to ask this appropriation "special," rather than to undertake the work by driblets out of the annual appropriation for the maintenance of the Army. Though the amount asked for may seem large, it is, in fact, small as compared to the sums expended on our sea coast forts, which are not half as important for the immediate uses of the Army.

W. T. SHERMAN,

General.

To the Senate his reasons for allowing the bill prescribing the oath of office to be taken by persons who engaged in the late rebellion, but who are not disqualified by the fourteenth amendment of the Constitution, to become a law without his signature.

FEBRUARY 15, 1871.-Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary and ordered to be printed.

To the Senate and House of Representatives:

I have this day transmitted to the Senate the announcement that Senate bill, No. 218, "An act prescribing an oath of office to be taken by persons who participated in the late rebellion, but who are not disqualified from holding office by the fourteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States," has become a law in the manner prescribed by the Constitution, without the signature of the President.

If this were a bill for the repeal of the "test oath" required of persons "elected or appointed to offices of honor or trust," it would meet my approval. The effect of the law, however, is to relieve, from taking a prescribed oath, all those persons whom it was intended to exclude from such offices, and to require it from all others. By this law the soldier who fought and bled for his country is to swear to his loyalty before assuming official functions, while the general who commanded hosts for the overthrow of his Government is admitted to place without it. I cannot affix my name to a law which discriminates against the upholder of his Government.

I believe, however, that it is not wise policy to keep from office, by an oath, those who are not disqualified by the Constitution, and who are the choice of legal voters; but, while relieving them from an oath which they cannot take, I recommend the release, also, of those to whom the oath has no application.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, February 15, 1871.

U. S. GRANT.