Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-11-17
GENERAL sHgRMAN's REPORT.

General Sherman's report on the mill
tary affairs of the nation is very business
like one, and it is fortunate that the sug-
gestions it contains are certain to receive a
more respectful hearing than they would
have year ago. Like General Sheridan,
he dwells upon the inefficiency of the army
for its work. He does not propose con-
siderable increase in the force, but he ex-
presses the opinion that the strength of the
line should be raised to so, coo, which is the
present legal limit, though Congress, under
Democratic control, has lately been making
appropriations for no more than %, 600
men. GeneralSherman thinks that the rapid
construction Of railroads through the out
lying territory has rendered several of the
smaller military posts useless, and he
recommends that these be sold: and that
permanent posts be established on the
frontiers, at convenient points. He pro-
poses also that a new military school, for
infantry and cavalry, be established at
Fort Leavenwortb, and he pays high
compliment to the government of the West
Point Academy, incidentally delivering
not-undeserved censure upon the haste
with which General Schofeld and
ton of the public in the Whitaker
case. The General is OF opinion that
the principal seaports of the country
should be fortified and fully garrisoned.
He expressly names Portland, Boston,
Newport, New York, Philadelphia, Hamp-
ton Roads, Port Royal, Key West, Pensa-
cola, New Orleans, San Diego, San Fran
cisco and Port Townsend, in this connec-
ton. All the minor forts he would aban-
don. An annual appropriation of one
million year would in few years com.
plete these Notifications, and another
million year would arm them. Here we
are afraid the General has made an under
estimate. A million year would give SO
little to each of the ports named that
practically nothing would be accomplished.
In some cases it is almost certain that
entirely new Notifications would have to
be built. This would be necessary in San
Francisco, for example. The Notifications
in the harbor of San Francisco are utterly
useless A hostile feet could lie out of
their range and shell the city with COM
plete IMMUNITY. The forts might perhaps
prevent an enemy from entering the har-
Dor, though even that is very doubtful,
for the defenses of Alcatraz and Fort
Point would offer very feeble
resistance to the heavy oaliber
guns now carried by war chips.
Ii the safety of the city is an object, how.
ever, it must be realized that it is entirely
unproyided for, and that one such vessel
as the Devastation could at almost any
time hold it to ransom. or destroy it, with
out approaching the batteries at all. To
adequately defend San Francisco an appro-
priation of ten millions would probably be
required, and if all other exposed points
ON the seaboard are to be put in state Of
defense the outlay would reach two or
three hundred millions at the very lowest
estimate. Il may be necessary that this
should be done, but we are convinced that
one or two millions year will not effect
IL. A glance at the naval appropriations
viii show how easy it is to expend fourteen
or fifteen millions year without getting
ANYTHING in return but rotten and I'M
ssrviceable ships. Unless. therefore, Gen.
eral Sherman knows how to prevent waste
an NO former head of department or
General has been able to prevent it, he
cannot get what he wants accomplished for
ANYTHING like the modest sums he speaks Of.