Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-11-12
CONDITION OF THE ARyyH,
Report OF ts,e Inspector General.
DISBU BURStHFSrS-DTSCIPrINE AID TARGET PRACTICE
MILITARY ScHoolS-CkUSE or pESERTIoS.

Gen o. p. Sackett- inspector general OF the army.
IN his annual report Ia the Secretary OF War; states
that the inspections OF the accounts OF all officers
OF the army who have disbursrd public money show
that the public funds for army purposes have gene
rally been disbur.ed properly The business al the
several supply departments has been eXcelently
administered. the supplies being ampla, and of good
quality. The health OF the troops has been yrle-
rally good. Asteady Improvement in discipline and
military learning OF the troops and in target prac-
tice is shown. Military instruction contin-
ueS TO be interfered with by the employ
ment OF troops at fatigue and mechanical labor.
The post schools have not been a success generally
few enlisted men attend. but the attendance ot
children has been fair Early I'm the year many of
the schools were closed for want OF money for com
penoation of teachers The inspector general refers
TO the report OF Inspector General y. H. Davis. who
says that the public buildings are in good con
dltfon as circumstances will allow. New buildings
are needed. and others I'm are reported unfit for
occupation. The concentration OF the troops into
larger commands at less number OF posts viii re
suit III economy TO and efficiency in the service
TO PREVENT DESERTIoSs.
The prime cause Of so much deSertion IN our
army is the employment OF so many soldiers ;ls
laborers and mechanics in addition TO the military
service required of them.
IL is suggested, as a remedy for deSprtinn, that
There should he provision OF law by which the
cr'tiJ should be retained at depot and carefully
instructed in all The duties OF soldier before he
joins his command. for which nllrpose authority
should exist To enlist about Gn men i'm excess Of
the legalZed active strength of the army: that
there should be larger commands and better quar-
tiers. with more facilities for social recreationS and
amusenentS, that the pay OF privateS, corporalS,
SergeantS. and first Serefts OF the line should Toe
increased to fifteen. twenty. twenty-five and thirty
dollars respectively: that the practise Of employ
Ing soldiers at constant labor discontinue. and the
troops. both officers and men, be restricted la The
duties which mole properly pertain 10 their plofes-
sion.
INTELLIGENT AND PATRIOTIC SOLDIERS
The army should hold that high position Of honor,
trust and efficiency that il Will command the re-
spect and support Of the people. republic should
have Intelligent. educated and patriotic soldiers II
must keep abreast with the progress of the age.
The smaller the army the more Necessity Tor in
creaSiHg its efficiency. Our country of llty mill
lions OF people. with their vast interests. cannot
afford to dispense with efficient military organi-
Zation, II the people would have that protection of
life and property that they expect and may right
fully claim from the government.
The Inspector general invites attention to the ne
cessty of increasing the number of officers fn the
inspectors department, and recommends that the
matter be properly presented To Congress. strong
appeal is made for the adoption of some permanent
arrangement for clerical aid TO the Inspecting OIL
Gers and il Is recommended that some steps ha
taken TO place the Inspector generals department
on an equal footing ia this respect with other stall
departments