Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-12-10


Ii is obvious, that the legislation of the last
Congress in regard to silver, SO far as it was
based on an anticipated rise in the value OF
silver as a result of that legislation has failed
To produce the effect then predicted The
longer the law remains in force, requiring as
it does the coinage of n nominal dollar,
which, in reality, is not 4 dollar, the greater
becomes the danger that this country will be
forced 10 accept a single metal as the sole
legal standard of value. in circulation, and
this standard of less value than 1t purnGrts
to be worth in the recognized money OF the
world.
The Constitution OF the United states,
sound financial principles, and our best m
terests, all require that the country should
have as its legal-tendcr money, both gold and
silver coin, of an intrinsic value, as bullion.
equivalent to that which. upon It's face, II
purports to possess. The Constitution, IN
cxpress terms. recognizes both gold and 81
yer as the only true legal-icndcr money. To
Danish either OF these metals from our cur
rency is to narrow and limit the circulating
medium Of exchange to the dsparagement of
importan; interests. The United States pro
dnccs more silver than any other country
and is directly interested in maintaining 1t as
one of the precious metals which furnish lac
COINAGE of The world twill, in nv ludg-
will repeal 81 much Of existing legislation rs
requires the coinage Of silver dollars con
tanning only Il2! grains Of silver, and IN It's
stead will authorize the Secretary of the
Treasury 10 coin silver dollars of equivalent
value as bullion. with gold dollars. This will
defrlud no man, and will he in accordance
with familiar precedent. Congress, on sew
eral occasions. has altered the ratio of value
between gold and silver in order 10 establish
il more nearly in accordance with the actual
ratio of value between the Two metals
In financial legislation every measure in
the direction Of greater fidelity in the dis
charge of pecuniary Obligations, has been
found by experience to diminish the rates
of interest which debtors are required 10 pay
and to increase the facility with which
money can ne obtained for every legitimate
purpose. Oar own recent financial history
shows how surely money becomes abundant
whenever confidence in the exact perform
ance of moncyed Obligations is established.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
The Secretary of War reports tkat the eN-
penditurcs of the War Department for the
fiscal year ended June 30. lsso, were S39,-
924, 11.3.0 3 The appropriations for this De
PARTNER, for the fiScil current wear, amount
10 Sil, 1913 $50, IN.
With respect 10 the Army, the Secretary
invites attention to the fact that It's strength
is limited by statute section lll5. Revised
Statutes to not more than 10000 enlisted
men. but that provis0s contained in appro-
pIiaiion bills have limited expenditures to
the enlistment OF but $4,000. 1t 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 enlist
mcnt of this force would add somewhat to
the appropriation for pay of the Army, the
saving made in other respects would be more
than an equivalent for this additional outlay
and the efficiency of the Army would be
largely increased.
The rapid extension OF the railroad system
west of the Mississippi river, and the great
tide of settlers which has flowed in upon
new territory, impose on the military an en-
tire change of policy. The maintenance of
small posts along wagon and stage-routes of
travel is no longer necessary. Permanent
quarters at points selected, of a more substan-
tial character than those heretofore con-
structed, viii Ice will be required.
Under existing laws permanent buildings
cannot he erected without the santiOn OF
Congress, and when sales of military sites
and buildings have been authorized, the
moneys received have reverted 10 the Treas
ury, and could only become available through
a new appropriation. 1t is commended that
provision he made, by general statute, for
the sale OF such abandoned military posts and
buildings as arc found TO be unnecessary. and
for the application of the proceeds TO the con-
struction Of other posts. While many of the
present posts are Of but slight value for mill
tary purposes owing TO the changed con-
dtion of the country, their occupation is
oil of nat nd
fence, because they afford the only available
shelter for troops.
The absence of "a large number of officers
Of the line in active duty, from their regi-
ments. is a serious dctriment to the mainte-
nance of the service. The constant demand
for small detachments, each of which should
Dc commanded by a commissioned officer
and the various details of officers for neces-
sary service away frem their commands. &C.
casions a scarcity in the number required for
company duties. With view to lessening
This drain to some extent, ii is recommended
that the law authorizing the detail of officers
from the active list as professors of tactics
and military science at certain colleges and
universities, bc 81 amended as TO provide |
that all such details BE- madcfrom the retired
list Of the army.
Attention is asked TO the necessity Of
providing by legislation for organizing, arm
ing, and dsciphnng the Gctire militia of the
country, and liberal appropriations are rec
commended in this behalf The reports of
the adjutant- general Of the army and the
chief of ordnance touching this subject fully |
set forth its importance.
The report of the officer IN charge of e,u- |
cation in the army shows that there are IS |
schools now in operation in the army. with |
an aggregate Attendance of 2,305 enlisted