The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-11-08
Press kilograms.
WASHINGTON.
News Gathered About the Capital
CITY.

News Gathered About the Capital
City.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-The full
transfer of the command OF the army
from Gen. Sherman to Lieutenant
General Sheridan took place at noon
to-day at the headquarters of the
army in the war department building.
Gen. Sheridan spent the morning in
making himself acquainted with the
business Office. Gen. Sherman and
members of his staff rendered him
every assistance. Before 2 o'clock
two of the highest officers called on
the secretary of war with Gen. Sher-
man to take official leave and Gen.
Sheridan to report for duty. The
transfer was accomplished quietly
and without any ceremony whateyeTa
beyond the issuance of general order
notifying the army change OF COM
manders.
The reduction of the public debt
during the month of October is $l0,-
305. 1893, a decrease since June 30, 1883,
of $39. 584 40; cash in treasury, $685.
447,5O1; gold certificates, So, 324 $40;
silver certificates, 1896, SIS, 14l; certifi-
Gates of deposits, ST.. $4,000; refund
ing certificates, $685., $50; legal tenders,
$246,681 ,076; fractional currency,
$500, 303.
The last annual report of Gen.
Sherman is now in the hands of the
secretary Of war. The army consists
of 3143 officers and 23,335 enlisted
men, the figures being almost iden-
tical with thoSe of last year. Gen.
Sherman considers Crooks Apache
campaign a success, and that if Crook
is permitted to manage the Apaches
in his own way all war will cease in
Arizona and the complicated Indian
question will disappear. The subject
of military education is treated at
some length, and the opinion is ex-
pressed that the military academy at
West Point and the practical schools
at Fortress Monroe and Leayenworth
are among the best military schools in
the world. The Indians are regarded
as practically eliminated from protec-
ton of the army; and while the army
itself and immigration have contrib
uted largely to this result, the rail-
road, which used to follow in the rear
but which now goes forward with the
picket line in the great battle of civ
ilization with barbarism, has had
greater influence.
The recent completion of the four
great continental lines of railway
have settled forever the Indian ques-
ton, the army question and many
others which have hitherto troubled
the country. The general regards the
building of these roads the most inn
portant event of modern times and
believes they account fully for the
peace of the country. The recommen-
dation oil last year is renewed, that
stragetic points be enlarged and minor
places abandoned. "The soldier" says
Gen. Sherman, "must be treated as a
fellow man. Let him live in comfort
and he will respond to the call of duty
even unto death. When a soldier is
employed as carpenter, mechanic, or
any other labor, it is only fair that he
should be paid for such labor"
Because of the transfer of the COM
mand to Gen. Sheridan, 10 recommen-
dations for the future are made, other
than renewing such as were made
in former reports. The opinion isex-
pressed, however, that it will be found
wise to provide common organization
for all arms of service and that con-
gress should provide for the transfer
of regiments from remote to home
sections after a fair period of service.
He recommends the retirement on
full pay of men who have faithfully
served thirty-fve years, and an
to the statutes authoriz-
ing the president to drop from the
rolls of the army for desertion any
officer absent from duty three months
leave, so as to include officers
on the retired list within the meaning
Of the law. The last recommendation
has bearing on Rickerson'S case. In
order to reduce the number of deser-
lions, it is proposed that the term of
service be fixed at three years, instead
Of five. 1t is suggested that the in
crease of pay for re-enlisting be made
TO depend on immediate re-enlistment
in the same regiment, and that man
re-enlisted be granted a furlOuQh Of
0ne, two or three months, accordingfo
the number of terms he has already
served.
The secretary of the navy has de-
allied Ensign Jno. Bernadin to pro-
iced to Corea for the purpose Of max
ng reports on geological and other
scientific features Of that island.
The secretary Of state received from
he geographical secretary of France
! very handsome gold medal, rendered
IS a testimonial to Lieut.. Frederick
4. Schwatka, U. S. a., In recognition
Il service in the successful expedi-
ion TO King Williams land in 1873.
Secretary Folger has issued q circu-
ar which provides that when meats
ured with imported salt are shipped
or inland from one division
o another for expectation, entry for
efund duties may be made at
he port Of original shipment.