The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-12-08

tary. III view OF the recent de..,.v.. .. mo
Supreme Court the necessity of amend
Ing the law by which the Dutch standard of
color Is adopted as the test of the sacchar-
Inc strength or sugars, Is too obvious to re-
quire comment n.
THE INDIANS.
From the report of the Secretary of War
1t appears that the only outbreaks of Indi-
ma and in the Southwestern pa part t. of A New
Mexico. They. were promptly quelled, and
the quiet which has prevailed In all other
parts or the country has permitted such an
addition to be made to the military force In
the region endangered by the Apaches that
In the future.
sEAc0Asr DEFENsEs.
Those parts of the Secretary's report
which relate to our seacoast defenses and
their armament suggest the gravest refiec-
lions. Our existing Notifications are motor
iously inadequate to the defense of great
harbors and cities for whose protection they
IN their nature, in the locality with which
they are concerned, or in both, Is one which
It inevitably tends to secure the success OF
the bill as a whole, though many of the
Items II separately considered, could
scarcely fail of rejection. BY the adoption
OF the course have recommended, every
member OF Congress, when opportunity
should arise for giving his influence and
vote for meritorious appropriations, which
he would be enabled to do without being
called upon to sanction others undeserying
his approval. SO, also, would the Execu-
tive be afforded thereby full opportunity
opposing whatever appropriations seemed
TO him Objectionable, without imperiling
the success Of others which commend them,
selves to his Judgment. 1t may be urged
In opposition to these suggestions that the
number of works of international improve
ments which are justly entitled to govern
mental aid is so great as to render impracti.
cable separate appropriation bills therefor,
or even for such comparatively limited
number as make disposition of large sums
OF money. This objection may be well
were built. The question Of providing an
armament suited to our present necessities
has been the subject of consideration by a
board whose report was transmitted to
Congress at the last session. Pending the
consideration OF that report the War De-
partment has taken no steps for the manu-
facture or conversion of any heavy can
non, but the Secretary expresses the hope
that authority and means to begin that i'm
p0rfant work will be soon provided.
THE MILITIA.
invite the attention of Congress to the
OF making more adequate provi-
sions for arming and equipping the militia
than are afforded by the act of 1906. which
Is still upon the statute books. The matter
has already been the subject of discussion
ply the deficiencies Of existing laws Is now
upon its calendar.
The Secretary Of War calls attention to
the fact OF an embarrassment growing out of
the recent act of Congress making the re-
tlrement of officers of the army compulsory
at the age 0f6i. The act of 1878 is still in
force which limits to 400 the number of
those who can be retired for disability or
upon their own application. The two acts,
when construed together seem TO forbid the
relieving, even for absolute incapacity, of
officers who do not fall within the purview
OF the latter statute, save at such times as
there chance to be less than 400 on the re-
tired list There are now 400. 1t is not
likely that Congress intended this result,
and concur with the Secretary that the
law ought to be amended.
THE RIVER AND HARBoR BILL.
The grounds that impelled me to with
hold my signature from the bill entitled,
An act making appropriations for the con-
struction, repair, and preservation of GER
tain works on rivers and harbors," which
became law near the close of your last
session prompts me to express the hope that
no similar measure will be deemed neces-
sary during the present session of Congress.
Indeed, such measure would now be open
to serious objection, in addition to that
which was lately urged upon your atten-
ton. 1 am informed by the Secretary of
War that the greater portion of the sum APP
for the various items specified
in that act remains unexpended. OF the
new works which 1t authorized, expenses
have been incurred upon two only, for
which the total appropriation was $40, 900.
present available balance is disclosed by
the following table:
Amount of appropriation by act
OF August 2, 1882. SIS, 73S, SI5
Amount of appropriation by act
OF June 10, 1882. 10000
of appropriation for pay
ments to j. b. Eads. ............ 304. 900
balance of former APP
preparations .................... 4, 13S, 262
Total .................... S23, 79l, 1870
Less amount drawn from
Treasury between July |, 1882
and November 30, 1882, ...... COG, l9I
lOtdl. ........ .......... II .iof,Jt4l
1t is apparent by this exhibit that, so far
rs concerns most of the items to which the |