Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-12-12


inspection of foreign ocean veese
organized under the law passed in 1888
was maintained during the year at q
expense of $36,64l!e3. Since tie clos
of the fiscal year, reductions have bee
made in the force employed which wi
result in saving during the year {
$1,000, without affecting the eficienc
of the service.
The supervising surgeon general re
ports that during the fiscal year Al ~
patients have received relief through /;
marine hospital service, of whom 1880
were treated in hospitals, and 2S,9l1 q
dispensaries. Active and effective eff
forts have been made through the medi
um of this service to protect the countr
against an invasion of cholera, whici
has prevailed in Spain and France, al,
smallpox, which recently broke out il
Canada.
LIFE-SAVING SERVICE.
The most gratifying results have at
tended the operations of the life-savin,
service during the last fiscal year. Th'
observance of the provision of the Law
requiring that the appointment of fore
employed in the service be made "solel,
with reference to their fitness, ant
without reference to political or party
afiliation." has secured the result which
may confidently be expected in am
branch of public employment wher'
such a rule is applied. As a conse
quence this service is composed of mel
well qualified for the performance o
their dangerous and exceptionally i'm
portant duties.
COAST SURVEY.
The work of the coast and geodeti
survey was during the last fiscal yea
carried on within the boundaries ant
coasts of thirty-two states, two territor
les, and the District of Columbia. Ii
July last certain irregularities wer'
found to exist in the management o
this bureau, which led to q prompt in
vestigation of its methods, the abuses O
which were brought to light by thi
examination, and reckless disregard o
duty and the Interests OF the govern
ment developed OF the part of some o
those connected with the service, max.
ing a change of superintendent ant
other officers necessary.
Since the bureau has been in new
hands an introduction of economy ant
application of business methods hav'
produced an important saving to tn
government and promise more useful re
suits. This service has never been reg
ulated by anything but the most indie
finite acts and unsatisfactory rules.
has gradually taken to itself powers ant
objects not contemplated in it's crea
tons and extended its operations unit
it sadly needs legislative attention.
So far as further survey of our coas
is concerned, there seems to be propri
ETY. in transferring that work to tn,
navy department. The other duties nov
incharge of this establishment they cal
not be profitably attached to some ex
listing department or other bureau, shoult
be prosecuted under a law exactly de
fning their scope and purpose, with 6
careful discrimination between the sci
entifc inquiries which may properly b,
by the government, and thos;
which should be undertaken by stat.
or individual enterprise.
1t is hoped that the report of the con
gressional committee heretofore appoint
ed to investigate thisand other like mat
tiers will aid in the accomplishment o.
legislation on this subject. The report
of the secretary of war is herewith sub
mitted. The attention of congress ii
invited to the detailed account which il
contains of the administration of his de-
partment and his recognitions and sug
yestions for the improvement of the
service.
The army consisted at the date of the
last returns of 2, l54 officials, and 24,754
enlisted men. The expenses of the de-
partment for the fiscal year ending June
30, 1885, were SAC, S50,999.
Besides the troops which were sent in
pursuit of the small band of Indians
who left their reservation in Arizona
and committed murders and outrages
two regiments of cavalry and one of
were sent last July to the
Indian Territory to prevent an outbreak
which seemed imminent. They re.
NAMED to aid, if necessary, in the ex-
pulsion of intruders upon the reservation,
who seemed to have caused the discon-
tent among the Indians, bnt the execu.
i've proclamation warning them to
remove, was complied with, without
Troops were also sent to Rock Springs,
IN the Indian Territory, after the mas
sacre of the Chinese there, to prevent
further disturbances, afterward to Seat
tie, in Washington Territory, to avert a
threatened attack upon the Chinese la
borers and domestic violence there, and
in both cases the mere presence of the
troops had the desired effect.
It appears that the number of deser-
ions have diminished, but that during
he last fiscal year the number was q
}97, and one instance is given by the
lieutenant general, of six assertions by
,ne recruit.
l am convin ced that this number of
assertions can be much diminished by
better discipline and treatment, but, the
should be increased for such
repeated offenses.
These assertions might also be reduced
oy lessening the term of the first enlist
nent, thus allowing disconnected re-
,ruit to contemplate nearer discharge,
md the army profitable radiance
Lfter one term of service.
The judge advocate general reports
hat the number of trials by general
,ourt martial during the year was 1928,
md that II .S5I trials took place before
garrison and regiment court martials.
The suggestion that probably more than
half of the army have been tried for Of
enses, great or small, in one year, may
veil attract attention.
The board on Notifications and other
licenses appointed in pursuance of the
Ict of congress, approved March Sd, 1885,
viii, in q short time, present its report,
he legislation SO necessary to remedy
he present defenselees condition
# our sea coasts. The work
# the signal service has been proceeded
With during the last year, with results of
Increasing benefit to ihe country. The
ield of instruction has been enlarged,
With view of adding to its usefulness.
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