The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1885-11-18
LITTLE PILLS" VIEWS
HE WANTS CONGRESS TO LEGlSLATE
FOR THE ARMY,
And Fix the Authority of Officers as to
Their Stats His Plan to Settle
the Indian Question - Re-
publican Caucus Called.

WASHINGTON CRY, Nov Is. Lieut. Gen
Z. H. Sheridan has submitted his annual
report to the secretary Of war. He says the
discipline OF the army is very good, and
that he has no recommendations to make,
except that the number of men in the COM
panies be increased, and that two more
companies and two ma jors be added to each
regiment of infantry. The general says
that lie most heartily comedies with
the remarks of Gen. Schoileld (of the
division of the Missouri on the need of
military legislation; and considers his views
of so much importance that he incorporates
them in his report substantially as follows:
"Thero is great need in the military
service of legislation. Regulations
csta blished and subject to change only by
congress, would nave such degree of
OF a sound military system, which,
up to the present timo, has not
existed in this country Although the reg.
ulations have undergone changes
the most important questions involved in
the command and government of the army
remain unsettled at the present
time. NJ commanding general, from the
highest to the lowest can know the extent
or limits of his authority, and no one
can have any staff responsible to him for
the faithful execution of his orders.
During the last twenty-five years the
country has passed through three moment
Gus crises, wherein these unsettled ques-
tions were of vital Importance to the
nation and their decision for the occasion
depended solely upon individual opinions.
Another such crisis may not he far distant
when such a decision might not be SO for
tunate for the country Hence. while pre-
sent the neces ,ity of a considerable increase
of the army, also suggest, as a still greater
niece. sty, that laws be established by con-
grsss for the government and regulation
OF the military forces.
From the reports AT the date OF the last
consolidated returns the army consisted OF
22l4 officers anu "a, 7o5 men. ten. Sheri-
dan urges a radical change in the allotment
of lands to Indians. lie suggests narrowing
the limits OF their RESERVATIONS ny locating
ance of each reservation be condemned and
purchased by the government at $l25 per
acre, the interest of the proceeds OF these
purchases to be given to the indians
each year. He illustrates the
practical working OF this sche by instanc-
ing the Crows, who now have nearly 5,OoO,-
200 acres In their reservation. There are
not more than $500 OF them, and counting
five persons to family-a large estimate
they could be settled separately on $40 acres
for each family, and then have more than
5000 acres left II this land YVES pur.
chased by the government and the proceeds
invested in government tonds and the in
terest used for their support, II
would be moro money than is
now appropriated by congress annually
for their maintenance. 1t would
be their own money and take the question
OF annual appropriations out OF congress.
These lands could readily be sold again to
while the Indians would have security In
the principal until congress chooses TO give 1t
Indians. he saws. counting tho value Of the
lands of their immense reservations are not
Door: they are only incompetent at present
to take care of their own property, and
therefore require look ing after.
-
The Telephone Suit.
WARRINGTON Cry, Nov. 1S.-The
striking feature Of Mondays investigation
into the telephone patent matter was the
affidavit of Professor Gray, read by him elf.
1t showed that the action of Profe ssor
GRAY in not attempting to secure his
rights is to be explained by the fact
that he had been led by counsel to think
that he had no rights, and that all that he
had to gain by suit was some additional
scientific reputation. He said that when he
saw that Professor Bell exhibited
az fhlladelpnia speaking tele-
mohe III 100 no oiu NOT
'nes my" .nao JUG ops "h.ou
.'''io 'ne 'eioP'io',o 'Pe"A n"A ooen '"no,
.ron, iroiessor 81, ", Wv" Wv.,, vea'' wh.oh
nnu Deeh sno"" " ne' ~ ', nou'' 'no "a
amnler, anu irole''or "iay lawyer, VINO
:, "ehc inoo the SERVICES Oh the
DOH con, pahy, nusiseu .oiossoi ufay .hu''
!ila 49,. as pm naa isv sSeh puolci'y
W tne III 'on''oi' us 'oo''' iisn'' "'fo SUI
perlor.
a, v,r.. Y.. o,,..,,
WASHINGTON CITY, Nov. 49, i'm.
portant hearing was had Tuesday morning
before Secretary Lamar, Assistant Secre-
tary jerks and Assistant Attorney General
Montgomery, in the case of Guilford and
Miller VS.. Tho Northern Pacific Railroad
company. involving the validity Of GER
tain indemnity grants to the road sit
uated in Washington territory. There is
only quarter section OF land involved in
this case, but the decision will affect title
in that vicinity. Delepate Voorbees of
Wa shington territory, and Mr.. Johnson
presented the case Of the settlers. and
Mes,rs. GRAY, of New York. and Medd en-
hall, of Washington, represented the North
ern Pacific.
60
mo 1o'n. 1A,Ao" ny An s'"'
NAshiNdroN Ciif, NOV. 10. -Ihe pres
iuent nus receiVei copy OF resolutions
business in New York. EXPRESSING gratitude
for his proclamation and other eff orts 10 ok
ing to the protection of Chinese from i'll.
treatment at the hands Of the lawless men
in the north western states and territories.
The merchants saw that tn. Ch,namen
ro.idont, l., +ho JTr;+oa State ua., ~
preeiate me presidents course and COM
''''"u n'' ''''''e anu eourase
Republican Caucus Called.
WAsUINcrpN rtTy Nov 10 A call %,