Washington sentinel., 1853-12-13

protection TO more than four thousand miles. Our
seaboard and foreign frontier have been greatly
increased, and of the latter, over two thousand
five hundred miles are Mexican frontier along
which, besides the duty Of guarding and protect
ing our own inhabitants, is the superadded obliga-
ton (by treaty. OF protecting the inhabitants OF
Mexico from the Indians living within our limits.
by the annexation OF Texas and the acquisition
of New Mexico and California. our Indian popu-
latlon has been increased from 100000 10 more
than 400,00O very large portion of whom, pre-
datory and warlike in their habits, are for the
time brought into contact with our people. The
result OF this Is a state OF continual disturbance.
II has been the policy of our government by grants
OF land and pre-empton rights 10 induce the rapid
settlement OF our western wids. This policy in
wolves the duty of protection. The intimate con-
tact thus produced between the two races the
proneness of the Indian to maraud, and of the
whites to ntrude upon the Indian lands, causes
constant collision. Aggressions on the part Of
either lead TO retaliation, which unfortunately falls
far more frequently upon the innocent and unof
tending than upon the guilty, and retaliation leads
10 war. To repress these disturbances, troops
must be collected from different points and trans
ported over difficult and expensive routes TO the
scene of the troubles, the militia OF the country
must be called out In either case heavy expen-
ditures, without considering the arrangement Of
business and the loss of life and property are the
consequence. In the meantime other portions OF
the frontier stripped Of the troops required for
their defence and this weakness invites new ag-
gressions. and renders new movements of troops
and renewed expenditures necessary for their
suppression As the natural consequence of this,
the expenditures OF the army very great pro-
portion to its strength. A reasonable increase of
the army, if il did not entirely prevent these dis
turbances would at least diminish their frequency
and produce an immense saving of money, prop
erty and life. The disposition Of the army and the
assignment of troops 10 the frontier department
has been stated in another part of this report The
force allotted TO each is manifestly inadequate.
1t cannot be increased in any Of them without
Withdrawing troops from the points where their
presence is equally necessary
Your attention is respectfully invited 10 the re-
commendation of the commanding general in re-
laton TO this subject In the views expressed by
him i fully concur, except that ] am of opinion
that portion of the increase which he recon-
mends should be attained by the addition of an
other regiment, rather than by the proposed in
crease of the company organization. After full
consideration OF what Is now and probably will
hereafter be required of the army, urgently re-
commend that the minimum organization of all
companies be fixed, as in the mounted rfemen, at
sIxtyour priyates, and that there be added to the
present military establishment one regiment of
Dragons, and two regiments of rifemen. tf
This increase is materially less than that recon-
mended by the commanding general and is con-
sidered absolutely indispensable TO the proper eff
cheney OF the military service. 1t will give
minimum organization OF Is, ,52S officers and men,
but may be expanded if the limit fixed by the law
of June ?, 1850, be continued, to 17,414; and on
war establishment Of 12S privates per company
TO 27,SlS-giving for state of war an effective
increase of from 100000 TO 10, 900 men, without
the creation of new regiments, the experience of
the last forty years has demonstrated the wisdom
OF maintaining In peace q military establishment
that is capable Of The greatest expansion in war
The increased efficiency and economy of compa-
MES thus expanded in war, from nucleus of ex-
perienced and disciplined men, more than CON-
pensate for the additional expense of maintaining
skeleton regiments in time of peace.
also recommend that another company of sap
pers and miners be added to the engineer corps
for the purpose for which the present company was
organized The usefulness and economy Of this
class of soldiers has been practically demonstrated
both in peace and war.
The duties of hospital stewards are of a very
character, requiring a considerable de-
gree OF Intelligence and general knowledge.
there is no provision for their enlistment, and il
Is sometimes difficult 10 find suitable persons
among the enlisted men of the army. il is recon-
mended that authority be given for the enlistment,
under the direction of the surgeon general, of as
many as may be necessary for the public service |
10 receive the same compensation as il is now au-
thorized by law. -
concur fully in the views expressed by the |
general in relation TO the extension
Of the pension system to the widows and orphans
OF officers and soldiers of the regular army, and
commend the subject to your favorable consid-
Grafton. rsf II, g5f
The experience of every year gives increased
force to the recommendations heretofore made for
retired list for disabled and superanuated officers
The casualties of the war with Mexico has great
ly increased the number who are incapable Of the
performance Of any active duty. The plan recon-
mendcd by my predecessors for several years past
would retire them on just compensation, pro-
mote efficient officers in their stead, and thus great
y contribute TO the good of the service without |
any new charge upon the treasury.
The paw of officers of the army was Established |
many years ago. when the value of money was |
much greater than at this time. What was then |
only reasonable and just compensation is now |
entirely inadequate and accordingly recommend |
to your favorable consideration the propriety Of its
being increased in proportion to the increased cost
Of living. This is only measure Of Justice to ALL |
but is especially due to those whose duties reauir-
ed them 10 serve al stations where the comforts |
and often the necessaries of life command such |
exorbtant prices as to place them beyond the |
reach of those who have no other means than their
pay.
The nth section of the act of March 3, 1917,
authorized the President TO attach non-comms.
stoned ohicers who distinguished themselvesin the
war with Mexico, by brevet of the lowest grade of |
rank to any company, and TO bestow certificates of
merit upon soldiers, who Were, in like manner, dis
Many of the commissioned off
GERS who were recommended for distinguished con-
iuct, were not attached, in consequence of want
u qualification. but would have received certif-
ate of merit il the terms OF the law had not pre-
,luded it. lti respectfully recommended thai the
President be now authorized to grant certificates
If merit TO non-commissioned officers who were
lot considered eligible for the position of commits
stoned officers.
| recommend to favorable consideration the
of the quartermaster general in his
eport submitted herewith, for the Increase Of the
comfort of troops in barracks, the augmentation
If the allowance 10 soldiers when unavodably
Employed as mechanics, teamsters and laborers
md also the proposed changes in relation to store
'eepers and barrack-masters, and the settlement
u the accounts of disbursing officers.
The act of 1905 for "arrning and equpping the
whole body of the militia of the United States,n
makes an appropriation for supplying the several
states and Territories annually with such arms
md equipments as are used by the United States
roops--the quota due TO each being determined
y apportoning the whole amount according to
he return of the militia made to the adlutan,
eneral of the army. These returns are furnished
regularly by some of the States, and by others
lot at all, and it results from this inequality
hat the actual supplies of arms and equipments
urnished TO the States and Territories under the
aw OF 1905, are not distributed as prescribed by
hat law, in proportion to the number of effective
~ n nhahIo tbat ~ |