The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-11-16
Geucrn, sherman,s Report.

WASHINGTON, IL. o., November lj.-Gen.
eral Sherman has submitted his annual re-
port TO the Secretary OF War. He agrees
with General Sheridan that the army Is too
smailto fulfill the heavy duties now imposed
upon it. II is overworked. For these rea-
sons General Sherman renews bis recon-
mendaiion OF last year that Congress be
asked TO give $4,000 enlisted men specif-
cllIy to the troops OF line, and make sepa-
rate provision for attachments Of ordinance
men, the engineer battalion, hospital stew
ards, cOmmissary-sergeants. West Point
detachments, detailed clerks, &C., in the
same manner as has already been done for
the Signal Corps. The Revised Statutes limit
the strength OF the army to not more than
10000 available men, but subsequent provi-
sious have limited the expenditures 10 2j,-
900. The end desired can thus be reache d by
simply emitting The provision in the next
appropriation bill. He says: We now have
fifty millions OF people, and the idea OF
any hostile force landing on our coast is
simply preposterous; yet our great com
mercia ports should be made so safe that
even the apprehension OF danger would
not he felt. Portland, Boston, Newport,
New York. Philadelphia, Hampton Roads,
Port Royal. Key West, Pensacola, San Di-
ego, San Francisco, and Port Townsend
should all be properly fortified and garri.
soned. All minor ports should be sold or
abandoned. An annual appropriation OF
a million OF dollars would in ten years put
thesc-forts in good order, and auOIt1er mil
lion year would properly arm them, and
the Secretary Of War and the President
should baye discretion as to their disburse-
ment. Artillery officers should also be as
sociated with engineers in constructing,
altering, and repairing our sea forts, be-
cause the men who have TO fight their
batteries should baye something TO do with
their construction. Both West Point and
the Artillery School at Fortress Monroe
are in as good order as possible. Education
must always be the surest basis OF security
and honor. The education and manly train
ing impaired to Young men al West Point
has repaid the United States q thousand
times its cost, and has more than verified
the predictions OF General Washington.
Reference is made TO the Whitaker case.
A thorough investigation in the midst OF
tumult and abuse II suited In perfect vim
dication OF the authorities OF the academy.
7 he corps Of cadets is youthful counter
part OF our national House OF Representa-
tiveS. Prejudice is alleged against the col
OIcu Cdutt>. GltluulCc VI IdCt ~ tue iHOst
difficult thing 10 contend against. There
is no more such pr JUDGE at West Point
than in the community at large; and the
practice Of equality at West Point is in adj.
vance Of the rest OF the country. TO dis
crlminate In favor Of the colOred cadet by
reason OF bis color is as much violation OF
the fourteenth amendment as 10 discrimi-
nate against him. The officers OF the Mill
tary Academy have endeavored to be i'm.
partial.
General Sherman says that in his opinion
the rtqui, ement that oil enlisted men of the
Seventh and Tenth cavalry and OF the
wenty-fourth and Twenty-fiftb infantry
shall be cOlOred men, while the officers are
white, is not consistent with the amend
ment referred 10. All men should he en-
listed who are qualified, and assigned TO
regiments regardless OF color or previous
conditions. Such has been law and usage
in the navy for years, and the army would
soon grow accu toned to It. The useful
ness OF the Artillery School and Fortress
Monroe Is spoken Of highly. General Sher-
man desires 10 establish a similar school for
infantry aud cavalry ut Fort Leavenworth
as soon as the condition Of the Indian affairs
will III Imit