Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1885-12-16

l.ss Gl1s:.ss:s .Es.ssi
Ssss4nS e tSss 81 ~ &srscnss
trSafnAent bat the, p~unishmcnt sAoaA b tn-
night sYsc s. reduced BY issssnins tho term q
first enlistuents. thus allowing a discontented
service. 4 re-eniistmens would. Be quite apt to
secure 4 contented- rccruit and good soldier.
The acting tudge advocste-generai reports that
the Number OF
TRIALs Ri GENERAL coURf.MAHTIAL
during the year was 2.s2s, and that 1851 trials
martial mart The suggestion that probably more than
half the army have been tiled for offenses great
and small iu one year, may well arrest attention.
or course many OF these trials before saar.ison
almost frivolous, and there should. l think, DO a
way devised 20 dispose OF those in q more sum-
mary and less incontenieat manner than by court
martial. lf come of the proceeding of courts
martial, which | have had occasion TO examine,
present tho ideas OF Justice which generally pre-
vail IN these tribunals, ! am satisfied ttsat they
should b, much reformed. IL the honor and the
honesty OF the army and navy are by thair instru-
mentality 10 he yindicated and protested.
The boRrd Of fortihcntinns or other defences,
appointed in pursuance Of the provisions Of the
act Of congress approved March ), 1885,, will in q
short time present their report, and 1t ia hoped
that this may greatly aid the legislation 40 neccs-
slrS 10 remedy Tile pfeHSut NtltHfttsSS colflttIpU
of our sea coast.
THE WORK OF THE SIGMA SERVICE
has been prosecuted during the last year with re-
suits Of increasing benefit to the country. The
f,ld of instruction has been enlarged with a
view of adding TO its usefulness. The number
Of stations in operation June 81. lsaS, was 4s9.
Telegraphic reports are received daily from jM,
stations. Reports are also received from -
Canadian stations. s73 volunteer observers, 50
s s,aaio ssFsSTnEn s s1p military q p f's ssr an ia 5 sSr i"re, Ign
fiscal year, after deductins receipts from mill
tars telegraph lines. was S5a, 7as, ~.
Inview of the fact referred to b., thes secretary of
war. that work of this nature, and of the further
fact that it is assuming larger proportions con-
%stantly. is becoming more and moro upsuited to
sm i flxlf ,p'a e. s which uI Ina'j bi soy ia thu the ANIMAL army; l
that it should be separately esr ablished.
Ii this is done the scope and extent Of tho oper-
ations should "a hcatly as possible be definitely
prescribed by law and always capable Of exact
ascertainmen..
THE MILITARY CADEM
oiWest Point is reported as being in a Nigh
state of efficiency and well equipped for the sat
~isfactory accomplishment of the purposes of its
maintenance. The fact that the class which
graduates next year Is an unusually large one
has constrained me to decline tn make appoint
ments TO second lientenantcies in the army from
elyil iii e. so teat snsh ysse sa n as exist in these
it is not probable that there will be enough
VACANCIES To- provide positions for them
ali wllen lheS leave the military echOot. Under
Che prevailing law and nsages, those not thus
assigned to duty never actively enter the military
service. 1t is suggested that the law on this sub
iect be changed so that such of these young men
as are not at once assigned to duty after gradua-
ton may be retained rs second lieutepants in the
army. IL they desire il. subject to assignment
when opportunity occurs, under proper rules us
TO priority of selection. The expenditures on
account Of the military academy for the last
fiscal year, exclusive of the sum taken for It's
purposes, for appropriations for the support Of
the army We're Sl10, 1l2.07.
The act approved March 8, 1855, designed to
compensate officers and enlisted men for loss Of
private property while in the service of tho
United States, is so indefinite in its terma and
apparently admits of 50 many claims, the adjust
ment of which could not have been completed,
that il it is to remain on the statute books it
needs amendment.
There should be a general law Of congress pro-
hibiting the construction of
ovER NAviGABI.H WATERS
in such manner as to obstruct navigation, with
provisions for preventing the same. II seems
that under existing statutes the government can.
not intervene to prevent such a construction
when entered upon without its consent, though
when such consent is asked and granted upon
condition., that authority TO insist upon such
condition Is clear. Thus it is represented that,
while the officers of the government are with
great care guarding against the distractions OF
navigation by a bridge across the Mississippi
river at st. Paul, q large pier for \ bridge has
been built just below this place, directly in the
navi2able channel of the river. If such things
are to be permitted d strong argument is pre-
sented agains the appropriation of large sums of
money to improve the navigation of this and
other important highways of commerce.