The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1885-12-08

:. wac many years ago sanctioned, apparently
I'd to IL survey of our coast. Having gained
place in the appropriations nade by Congress-
/, has grad lally taken to it,elf powers and Oh.
Jects not contemplated in Is creation. and
tended Us operations until Is sadly noeds legls-
latye attention.
DIscoNTTsuINa A BUREAU.
So far rs further survey 81 our coast is con-
cerued theirs seems to be IL propriety In trans
othor duties i'll charge of this establish
mont. they cannot be prohtsbly attached 70
existing department or other bureau.
should be prosecuted under a law exactly d5tn-
ing their scope and purpose, and with u careful
dis rim inatiun between the scientific inquiries
which may properly be assumed by the Govern
mont and those which should be undertaken
by state authority, or by individual enterprise:
II Is hoped that the report Of tho Congressional
Committee heretofore appointed to investigate
this and other like matters will aid in tho
conplismnent of proper Legislation OH this SUBJ
lect.
The report Of the Secretary OF War is here
with submitted. Tho attention OF Congress is
invited to the detailed account which it contains
OF the admin strauion OF his department and his
recommendations and suggestions for the in
plovement OF thu service.
The army consisted. at the date of the last
consolidated returns OF J. ia officers and "A. 7u5
enlisted men. The expenses Of tho departments
for the fiscal year ending June 10, 1855, including
SIS lGi .39a to Tor public works and river and har-
Dor improvements. were 945 $50, oss 81.
Beside the troops which were dispatched In
pursuit Of the small band OF Indians who left
their reservation in Arizona and coinInitted inur-
ders and outrages. two regiments of cavalry and
one Of infantry were sent last July to the Indian
Territory to prevent All outbreak which seemed
imminent They remained TO aid. il necessary,
in the expulsion Of intruders upon the reserva-
tion who seemed TO have caused the discomfort
among the Indians. but the Executive procla-
nation warning them to remove was complied
with without Interference.
Troops also sent to Rock Springs. IN Wy
oining Territory after the massacre Of Chiuesss
there. to prevent further Disturbances. and al
erert u thre at-ned attack upon Chinese laborers
and domestic violence there, In both cases. the
mere presence OF the troops had the desired eT-
feet.
DEsERTIoSs.
II appears that this number OF desertiors has
diminished, but that during the last hscal year
they mum bersd 1927, and one instance is given
by the Lieutenant General of six assertions by
tie same recruit. lam convinced that this Num-
Der OF distortions can BIO much dimn-
ishsd by better discipline and treat
mont, but the punl.hmept should
These dsssrston. might also I be- reduced ' by
lessenins the term of f1rst enlistments, thus
allowing a discontentsd recruit to contemplate a
nearer discharge. and the army q profitable rid
dance After one term OF service. q re-enlis5.
ment would be quite apt to secure contsnted
recruit and good soldier.
COURTS MARITAL.
The acting Judge Advocate General reports
that tho number of trials by general courts,
trials took place before sarrison and regirnental
oourts-martial The suggestion that prob
ono year may we'll arrest attention.
OF COURSE. many OF these trials before garrison
and regfrn entail courts Atrial were for ofsAsss
almost frivolous, and there should think, be a
way devised to dispose of these IN a more sum
mary and loss inoonvenint manner than by
court mart1AL II some Of the proceedings OF
courts martial which have had occasion to ex-
anime present the ideas OF justice which gen:
orally prevail In those tribunals. | am satisfied
that they should be much reformed, il the honor
and tho honesty Of the army and navy are by
their fundamentally to be vlndioated and pro-
teoted
sEA.coAsr psFEssEs
The Board IN Forafoattons or Other Defenses,
sppSo1od March ). 1855. viii in a short time pre-
sent their rvport, and It is hoped that this may
greatly aid ths lsgtslatton 80 necessary to reme-
coasts
sI1NAL sERvIGR.
This work Of the signal ssrvios has been pros
oIeAsinx bsnsasa 10 the country. The field OF
inauunsaon has beon enlarged. Win view Of
adding to M ussfalnsaA- rhs namber Of ate,
TelegTaphio rsports are roosivsd daily tru1n ~
stations, Reports arc also psSstvsd frsm rs Ca
surgeons II military posss. and 30 foreign stA,
lions. rhs o!psnss OF service du1tns ths nseal
III. tss:5gs' H ss ~
referred to By the Secretary q War thss the
work Of this service ordinarily Is u scientific
larger proportions constantly. and becoming
move and moro unsuttsd to this nred rules,
which must govern the nrmy. nan incltned
that it shonld bs separately established.
n this ia done the scope and ortent Of It's opera
tions should. as nearly as possible, be definitely
ascertainment.
WEST POINT ACADEMY.
ported as being In nigh state Of stIietsncy and
well equipped for tho sattsfartory sccompt'h-
ment OF the purposes OF ite maintenance. The
fact that the class which graduates asxt year is
unusually large one. has constrained me to
decline to maks appointmon to second lieu
senanedes IN the army IRON Me- civil no; SO tn a
not probable that there will be enough
all when they leave the military school.
Under the prevailing law and usage, those not
thu thus ASSIGNED TO du1y never actively enter ter
law on this subject be changed 20 that snch of
those young men as are not at once assigned to
duty after graduation may be retained as Second
IAeutenants in the army If they desire it, sub
Ject to assignment, when opportunity occurs,
under proper rules as 10 priority of selection.
The expenditures account Of the Military
Academy for the last fiscal year were $3.50, 71207.
PRIyArE-PRoPERTY CLAIMS.
The act approved March 3, 1876, designed to
compensate officers and enlisted men for loss of
private property while in the service OF the
United states IS 80 indehhite in its terms and
apparently admits many claims, the adjust
nent of which could not have been contemplated,
that II it ia to remain on the statute book it
neods amendment.
BRIDGES OVER NAvIaABLE WATERS
There should be general law Of Congress
prohibiting the construction of bridges
navguble waters In such manner to obstruct
navigation, with provisions for preventing the
same, II seems thGt under existing statutes
the Government cannot intervene TO prevent
such Il construction when entered upon without
its consent, though when such consent is asked
and granted upon condition, the authority te
insist upon such condition is clear.
Thus it IL represented that while the officers of
the Government are. with great care, guarding
against the obstruction of navigation by a
bridge across the Mississippi River at St Paul,
large pier for bridge has been built Just
below this place. directly in the navigable chan
Ec Of the river. II such things are to be per-
lnitted, strong argument Is presented against
the appropriation of large sums of money to
improve the navigation of this and other i'm
portant highways of commerce.
NAVAL AFFAIRS
The report of the Secretary Of the Navy gives
history Of the operations Of his departments
and the present condition of the work COM
mittsd to his charge He details in full the
course pursued by him to protect the rights OF
the Government in respect Of certain vessels
unfinished at the time OF his accession to office,
and also concerning the dispatch boat Dolphin,
claimed to be completed and awaiting the &C.
csptance of the department.
No one can fail to see, from tho recital con-
tanned In this report, that only the application
Of business principles has been insisted upon in
the ueatm ent of these subjects, and that what
ever controversy has arisen caused by the ex-
action on the part of the department of the con-
tract obligations as they were legally construed.
In the case of the Dolphin. with entire justnesp
to the contractor an agreement has been entered
into providing for the ascertatitmeut by n
judicial inquiry of the complete or partial conn