The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1878-12-07
N1ls. 80 -
The Army.

.3..,r s.. The Armys
Secretary Grary' report gives the strength
of the army as "a, 761 enlisted men, divided as
follows: yh isi4ft@ TisS afilf
Cavalry. :. s.-s ..s.. .s.4...s. sssss4 1929
Aruliery. ..s. - ..,ssi-s zioSV
Infantry. observation-disclosures Ii zUo
Engineer battalion ~. s.s.. s.s.. :. ly9
Permanent and recruiting parties music
boys and recruits in depots... ........ 1,121
Enlisted men detailed on general service 372
Ordnance department. nt.,-..........f..,, S94
West Point detachments. .......s...... 100
Prison guard. s,ss - ss,s.. sssss.. !.... a. "
dOSpltal stewards. 100
Ordnance sergeants ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. ia
Oommissary sergeants. ......... 148
Indian scouts a..s ,.s s.i..is. :. :f. 5OV
The number Of desertions during the year
has been 1858 against 2,516 the year before
and ,27l in 1878. aSEa t39isfsgs tsa Vs sHofJI
I, Indian hostilities are referred to as having
been suppressed only at the costo serious loss
OF life among soldiers andeitizens, and theopin-
ion is expressed that peace can be maintained
only by liberalization of force sufficient to over
aweand keepfn subsection the morewarlike and
dangerous sayages. also fully agree with the
general Of the army in the opinion that such
provision should be made by Congress as, will
prevent the possibility Of suffering for lack Of
food among Indians confined upon reservations.
His views of what should constitute our
Indian policy are summed up as follows
First-Fair and Just treatment Of the Indians,
including the faithful performance on our part
of every promise and, ssecond-The prompt
and effectual punishment of all acts of war on
their part; and to this end the employment Of
sufficient military force in the Indian country
to act with vigor and success when occasion
requires, and prevent the possibility Of the de-
feat or massacre OF small .detachments Of our
troops, by which Indian wars have been so
often in the past encouraged and prolonged.
In regard TO Mexican border troubles, hesays
that, owing to the increase of our force on the
Rio Grande and the vigorous policy pursued,
the incursions during the year have been fewer
than in any year for long period, and almost
perfect quiet has prevailed for the last four
months. A considerable Mexican force has
also been sent to the border to deal with preda-
tory Indians and the avowed purpose OF the
Mexican government is to put q stop to the
raids on our people and territory.
He recommends That the law authorizing the
use of troops as a posse eodlitdtus be either re-
pealed or that tie number OF cases in which
they may be used. be very much enlarged, for
the reason that e in many portions of our
Western territories. and even in some portions
Of the newer States, resoiute desperate with
q few followers can defy the officers of the law
and any local posse that can be organized"
e 70 arn clearly of the opinion that the Presi-
dent should. be left free to employ the national
forces in aid of the process of the federal
courts Whenever he shall deem it necessary
but IL such use is to be limited to cases where
as declared by the act above quoted, it is ex
pressly authorized by the constitution or by act
of Congress- thenit is respectfully submitted
that Congress should give very careful atten-
ton to the enumeration and specification Of the
cases in which such use OF troops is to be per-
mitted." 4ss-. o,s..s H. vss3 9i4e z
The issuing Of rations to the yellow fever
sufferers he saysis not unpreced edented, similar
action having been taken by the government
through the war department on several pre-
sgioa1s occasions. = The passage Of 3 Joint reso-
lution by Congress approving and legalzing
these issues is asked FOR and it is suggested
that sueh emergencies in the future be pro-
yided for by conferring on the President the
authority to act.
"The expenditures under the war depart
ment for the fisealsyears ending June 30 1877,
were 81, ,618. .888.69 less than those of the pre-
vious fiscal year, and the expenditures for the
year ending June 80, 1878, were $4,324, 4.54
less than, these for 1871. IL ss4.l sissa
THE estimates for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1880, as presented by chiefs Of
burea were $50, 1872, ,954s67, These ]. have
reduced to $40, ,S87, 1883, which amount is
appropriations for 1879, and, as we shall pres
entlysee, is only an apparent increase even Of
that amount, since the appropriations for the
current year fer the support OF the army seem
to have been upon the basis of 20, 450 enlisted
men, while the number authorized by law was
left at 25, 49, As r0duced and submitted, these
estimates are. for q less sum Of money than
any annual estimates rendered to Congress
from this department during & period OF at
least eleven years, and. are 90, 727, 81 less
than those for the fiscal year 1879, which were
e4S;1z6, ,a44.24sistii VI .sliesf Il nss4 .is
The estimates as compiled and promul-
gated IN the book Of estimates, are divided tnto
ni1 IN nfxyif
the military estsblishinent the pubic works
and the miscellaneous,