The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-12-13
WAR.
Synopsis of Secretary Lincoln's Report.

The report of the Secretary of War gives
pretty full history of the operations of his de-
partment, but has not much to offer in the
way OF active military operations. After refer
ring to the retirement of Gen. Sherman from
command of the army the Secretary says that
the only active employment OF troops was in the
brief Apache campaign last summer under Gen.
Crook He adds AS for some time past the
only Indian outbreaks have been in Arizona,
special attention has been directed to an en-
deavor to secure for that region of the country
the same quiet which exists elsewhere.
After careful consideration of the difficulties
involved, an arrangement has been made be-
tween the Interior department and the War de-
partment, under which the police control of all
the Indians on the San Carlos reservation has
been given to Gen. Crook, and he has been
charged with the duty of keeping the peace on
the reservation and preventing the Indians from
leaving it. Gen. Sherman expresses the belief
that II Gen. Crook Is permitted to manage the
Apaches iii his own way, all wars will cease in
Arizona, and that with them will disappear the
complicated Indian question which has tested
the patience and courage OF our people ever
since the first settlement by whites on this con-
tinent.
The number OF desertions from the army in
the past year was nearly 5000; only a few less
than the extraordinary number of the year be-
FORE AS means of checking the evil, the>Sec-
rotary recommends that the pay of enlisted men
be raised to SIG a month. He also recommends
that enlisted men be retired on full pay after
thirty five years continuous service.
The whole number OF national cemeteries now
under the care OF the Quartermasters Depart
Loo
ments. There has been some delay in pros
ecuting the work of providing he tdstones for
the soldiers graves In private, vllag e, and city
cemeteries, but the work will be continued until
brought to a satisfactory close.
Referring TO the Improvements at the mouth
of the Mississippi river, the Secretary says:
The last annual report OF this department
brought the history OF this work to Sept. 0, 1892
During the four quarters ending Sept. Q, 1888,
there no failure of maintenance OF the chan
mel. From Sept. 10, 1882, to Sept. 8, 1888, both
dates inclusive four quarterly payments for
maintenance, amounting TO 100000, and two
semi annual payments of interest on the ST.
100000 retained, amounting TO $4,000, were
made, the total expenditure for the improve
ment TO the latter date being $3.50, 600.
A considerable portion of the report is given
to history of the Proteus expedition. but be-
yond mere recital Of the facts the Secretary
does not &c. "a court of inquiry is now in ses-
sion investigating the causes of the failure OF
the expedition.
Referring to the militia tho Secretary says: Il
earnestly recommend that the attention of Con-
gress be invited TO the subject of giving substan
tial encouragement to the. formation OF volun-
teer militia organizations in every State, and in
the District of Columbia, by liberal appropria-
tons to supply the necessary arms, equipments,
fonts, ammunition, and other ordnance stores.
With our small standing army our main de-
pendence for public defense must be on our
militia; and the wisdom of the comparatively
small expenditures which would encourage their
organization and their efficiency In drill and
discipline seems apparent. In the last Congress
bill on this subject was reported from the
Senate Committee on Military Affairs q. 1881
by which IL was contemplated that, In lieu OF
n the tSa nal ~ Of provided BY sns act
should be annually appropriated. the purposes
for which IL should be used being more extended
than under the provisions OF the old act. A
careful consideration of this proposed act heads
TO the belief that its enactment would be great
public benefit. and i strongly recommend the
passage OF such q law"