EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 23, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of War, dated March 23, 1882, with accompanying
reports and estimates, recommending an increase in the clerical
force in his office and in the offices of the Adjutant-General and
Surgeon-General of the Army, in order that prompt replies may be made
to the calls for information by the Commissioner of Pensions in pension
cases under a proposed plan to accomplish the settlement of all such
claims within a limited number of years; also an increased appropriation
for contingent expenses for each of the offices mentioned.