The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-11-25
THE ARMY.



given 10 Tho pahlio today. =, Altar calling
Gen. Sherman Gays: II agree With Cen.
Sheridan that the army b too small IN en-
listed men 70 fulfill The heavy duties now
imposed on II, and 10 overvoeked. there
fore renew my recommendation Of last year
that Congress b asked 10 give $4,000 solist-
ed men. especially to troops OF tho line Of
tho army and 70 make separate provisions tor
detachments of ':advanoe men," '.eoRiueer
battalion, - "hospitals stewards, " 'scommissaly
sergesnts," "West Point detaehments,"
detailed clerks" etc., In tho same manner
% has already been done for the signal
corps. In this connection will venture to
call your attention to tho fact that tho 10
vised statutes, edition Of 1873, section Lis,
defining the organization of tho army, linn
Its tho strength TO mot moro than $4,000
enlisted men," but subsequent appropris-
ton hills by provisos have limited tho e.
penditures to "a, 900 enlisted men. Still
tho legal strength 10 $4,000 enlisted men,
and that number is tho least possible at
which Ne can maintain tho present oreani-
cation Of forty regiments in anything like
good order, discipline and economy, and I
infer this end can bs reached by simply ono
thing-omitting the provisos in the next ap-
preparation bill. The prosperous
times and easy financial con-
dition of tho treasury may now
enable Congress to provide suitable anna
ments for the forts which guard tho chief
barbors of the county," Speaking Of the
Northern Pacific, Union Pacific and South
ern Pacific railroads, Gen. Sherman Gays:
"These railroads have completely revolution
lied our country in the past few years and
imposes ON the military m entire change of
policy. Hitherto Va have been compelled
to maintain mail posts along wagon and
stage routes of travel. These are no longer
needed because no longer used, aud the Set
Elements which grow up speedily along the
new railroads, afford security necessary, and
the regular stations built for storage ct CON-
venient distances afford necessary shelter for
stores and for men when operating in the
neighborhood. We should now absolutely
abandon many at the smaller posts, hitherto
necessary, and concentrate Ut strategic points
generally near tho national frontier, or where
railroads intersect, 10 a. to send out detaoh-
ments promptly to districts where needed.
Congress alone has the power to dispose of
the property OF tho United States, and We,
tho military, find ourselves possessed of lands
and houses obtained in early times, which
i
earnestly recommend that provision be made
by law for tho sale Of such
abandoned military posts and out
necessary, with right to apply tho proceeds
OF sale to other places, the property Of tho
United 6tates.'' Con. Sherman speci3es
posts in Ksnsas, New Mexico and Arizona,
and also Forts Keogh and Custer, on the
Yellowstone, built only four years ago, and
expresses the opinion that In very short
time they will become commercial towns
rather than military posts. s'In my iudg-
ment the time has now come for tho military
authorities 70 select suitable strategic points
for permanent occupation and Improvements,
whence detaohments can DO sent for special
service. As long a. We possess and must
care for these small posts it is
impossible to abandon them to waste
and We arc forced to hold on to
them; but if Congress will delegate to the
President, tho secretary of war and 4 board
of officers the right to sell these posts and
appropriate the proceeds of sale to strategic
points, I am certain it will result in great
economy and enable III to maintain large
garrisons With increased discipline and bet
ter service. For similar reasons, aud because
the commerce Of the world is carried on in
ships of 5000 tons and over, and because of
the heavy draft Of var vessels, most of our
sea coast defenses are superfuols. We now
have fifty million people, and the idea of any
hostile force landing on our coast
il preposterous. Yet our great
commercial ports should be made 80 ssfe
that even an apprehension Of danger Won Id
not be felt, Portland. Boston, Newport, New
York, Philadelphia, Hampton Roads, Port
Royal, Key West, Pensacola, New Orleans,
San Diego, San Francisco, and Port Town
send, should all be properly fortified and
garrisoned. All minor ports should be sold
or abandoned. Tho annual appropriation
OF 81 ,0O0,O 900 would in ten years put these
ports in good order, and another million q
year would properly arm them, and the &c.,
rotary of war and tho President should have
discretion in the disbursement of this money.
Artillery officers should also be associated
with engineers in constructing, altering aud
repairing sea coast defenses, because
the mon who have to fight these
batteries should have something to do in
their construction" Referring to reports
Of Gen. Sohofeld and Col. Getty relative to
West Point and the artillery school at
Fortress Monroe, Gen. Sherman SAYS: "In
my judgment both these institutions are in
as good order a. possible and both are IN
honor to the country. Education must a.
ways be the basis of national security and
honor. Tho education and manly training
impaired to young men at West Point has
repaid thousand times its cost and has
moro than verified the predictions Of Gen.
Washington. From time to time periodical
complaints have arisen to it's prejudice,
such n occurred last year in regard
to tho oolored cadet Whitaker thor
ough, patient, close investigation in
the midst of tumult Of abuse. resulted in
the perfect vindieation Of tho authorities
Of that academy. Every cadet at West Point
il an appointee of q member of Congress,
each member having cadet OF his own
nomination there, with only ton appointed
bv tho President at large. Tho corps Of
cadets is therefore = youthful counterpart OF
our National House Of Representatives. The
same laws, the same regulations, tho same
instruction books, clothing and food ore
common tn ALL and a mona dorooora&ic