The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1881-12-16
Secretary Lincoln's Report.


The annual report of the Secretary of War
Is chiefly devoted to the consideration OF the
important recommendations contained in
the annual report of the army chiefs. Gem
eral Sherman's recommendation that the
army be increased to $1,000 men receives
Secretary Lincoln's earnest Endorsement.
The attention Of Congress is called to the
need of legislation to prevent an intrusion
upon Indian lands, especially from Kansas,
into the Indian Territory. Secretary Lin.
coin invites special attention to that part OF
the report of General Wright, Chief Of En-
gineers, which refers to our seacoast de.
lenses, and on this subject says:
1.-THE Chief of Engineers shows that de.
tense by Notifications and tOrpedOes Il the
only one which is at all practicable for
coast Is extended IS ours, comprising SO
many rich maritime cities, extensive navy
yards, and depots of supply; that any attempt
at any other mode Of defense would be
enormously expensive, both for first cost
and maintenance, and 1t Is the only mode
adopted bv maritime nations. Experience
shows modern wars come on suddenly; that
serious international disputes occur be-
tween nations the relations OF which are
apparently most unlikely to be otherwise
than friendly, and . condition OF readiness
for defense and an attitude of bellfgerency
are sometimes the best preventives Of actual
war. We know that the necessary new
works and the proper notifications of the
old works will require many years for their
completion, and it seems simply matter OF
common prudence that We commence with.
out delay, and, under liberal appropria-
tions, put our coasts In an effective condi-
ton Of Defense
Referring to the subject Of the standard ct
requirements necessary for admission 70 the
Military Academy at West Point, the Sec
ii concur in the views of my predecessor,
that 1t would not be well to raise the stand.
ard Of admission. The result Of the last ex.
animation, in which - out Of lis candidates
were rejected, shows the standard Ii 20 high
- to prevent the admission OF many who
would undoubtedly, IL they had been 80 sit
uated Is to receive the proper preliminary
training, prove valuable officers. It has re-
Gently been recommended to me BY the
Academic Board to permit the discontinue.
ance Of certain prescribed studies In the
course for the purpose OF giving time for
Others, the importance Of which was appar-
ent. A consideration Of the subject sug-
gested by this recommendation leads me to
believe It would be best to extend the course
30 q to cover five years. It is believed that
by so doing not only would the benefits OF
the academy be more widely extended, but
that the graduates would be prepared to
xe0Oef OeCtet service 10 tu0 COuutIys
The actual expenditures under the War
Department for the fiscal year ended June
~, 1881, were 81, IL, 9O1. The appropria-
lions for 1882 were 81 .SS9, 725, and the esti-
mates for 1888 call fOr ~ ,541 ZIG. The es-
Inmates presented to the Secretary for re-
vision included, for the armament OF fortti-
cations, $40. 900; Notifications and other
rivers and harbors, -, 1o1. 800; improving
the Mississippi River by the Commission,
81, 81, 900; public buildings and grounds in
and near Washington, 5000; surveys
taken, 5000; total, $a9,099, 800. This
amount has been reduced on my revision to
AN aggregate Of $40, 6S9. O0O, which sum, II
INV Judgment, . reasonable allowance for
this class Of expense during the next fiscal
year.O