National Republican., 1885-12-09

| Vt0.5d. ''
| Beside tho troops which were dispatched
| in pursuit Of the small band Of Indians who
left their reservation In Arizona and com
mitted murders and outrnpes, two rc,ri-
mtnts OF cavalry aud one Of infantry were
sent last July to the Indian territory to
| prevent an outbreak which seemed imml-
nent. They remained TO aid II necessnrv in
INC expulsion OF intruders upon the reser-
vaton, who seemed TO have caused tho
ulscontent among the Indians, but the Ex-
CtutlVe proclamation warning them TO re.
move was complied with without their In &.
reference. ~
Troops were also sent TO Rock spripr,.
IN Wyoming territory, after the massacrg oi
chinese there, to prevent further disturb
ancc, and afterward TO Seattle, in Washing.
ton territory, to avert threatened attac<
upon Nlincse laborers and domestic vio-
leIce there. In both cases the mere prcs-
tnco OF the troops had the desired effect.
IL appears that the number of desert.ous
nave diminished, but that during the last
fiscal year they numbered 2,097; aud one in
stance is given by the lieutenant general OF
SIX deseitiops by the same recruit I am
convinced that this number of dcsertinns
can be much diminished by better discipline
end treatment; but the punishment should
pe Increased for repeated ofIenscs.
these desertions might also be reduced
Dy iesseninE the term of first cnIistmsnts.
mus allowing discontented recruit to con-
template nearer discharge and the army n
pToHtaDle fiddance. After one term of
service re-enlistment would Be quite nnt
to secure contented recruit and a eoo1
soldier 81"
The acting Judge advocate general ro-
ports the number of trials by general courts
martial during the year was 2,32S, and thai
1901 trials took place before the garrison
ara regimental courts-martial. The sug-
gcstion that probably more than half the
army has been tried for offenses, great nnl
small, In oney year, may well arrest attention.
VI course many of these trials before garri.
son and rcgimental courts-martial wore
Tor olenses almost frivolous: aud there
should, think, he a way devised to dispose
Oi these in more summary and less ineon.
Venient manner than trial by court-martal.
Il, IL some OF the proceedings Of courts.mlr-
ual which have had occasion to examine
present the ideas Of justice which generally
prevail in these tribunals, | am satisfied
that they should be much reformed, IL the
honor and honesty Of the army and navy
arc by their instrumentality to be indicated
and protected.
The board on Notifications or other de-
Ienses, appointed In pursuance Of the pro.
visions of the act OF Congress approved
March D, 1885, will in short time present.
their report; and 1t is hoped that this may
greatly aid the legislation so necessary Il
remedy the present defenseless condition of
our sea coasts.
The work Of the signal service hes been
prosecuted during the last year with results
OF Increasing benefit to the country. The
feld OF instruction has been enlarged with
n view of adding to its usefulness. The,
NUMBER OF stations in operation June 30,
1855, was 4S9. Telegraphic reports are ro
ceiyed daily from 100 stations. Rcport-
are also received from 25 Canadian stations
$40 volunteer observers, 52 army SURGEON
~ military posts, and 1893 foreign stations
1hc expense of the service during the iisca
year, alter dcdueting receipts from military
telegraph lines, was $102, 592.97. In view OF
TIE fact referred to by the Secretary OF
War, that thework of this service ordinarily
Is OF scientific nature, and the further fact
that II is assuming larger proportions con-
stantly, and becoming more and more lln-
'uitcd to the fixed rules which must govern
lhe army, am inclined to agree with him
IN the opinion that 1t should be separately.
established. If this is done the scope and
extent OF its operations should, as nearly oa
possible, be definitely prescribed by law,
AID always capable OF exact ascertainmcnt
The military academy at West Point is re-
ported os being in high state Of efficiency,
ma well equipped for the satisfactory ac.
'omplishment Of the purposes of its main
enanCe.
The fact that the class which graduates
next year is an unusually large one has con-.
strained me to decline to make appoint
nents to second lieutenancies in the army
rom civil life, SO that such vacancies as
'Xist in these places may be reserved for
uch graduates; and vet IL Is not probable.
hat there will be enough vacancies to pro.
,ide positions for them all when they leave
he military school. Under the prevailing
aW ana usage those not thus ASSIGNED to
'uty never actively enter the military ser
nee. 1t Is suggested that the law on this
ubJect be changed, SO that such of these,
onpg men as are not at once assigned to
uty after graduation, may be retained as
econd lieutenants in the army If thcy de-
ire 1t, subject to assignment when oppor-
unity occurs, and under proper rules as to.
riority Of selection.
The expenditures on account of the mill
hry acrdemy for the last fiscal year, exclu-
i've OF the sum taken for its purposes from
ere $3.50, ,7l20T.
The act approved March 3, 1885, destrn,l
compensate officers and enlisted men TO-
Iss OF private property while in the service
| the United states is so indefinite in its
.rins, and apparently admits so many
aims, the adjustment OF which could Ut
ave leen contemplated, that if it Is to re-
am upon the statute book 1t needs amend
tent.
There should be ageneral law of Congress-
fohibiting the construction Of bridges over
aVigable waters in such manner as to OBJ
ruct navigation, with provisions for pr3-
,nting the same. 1t seems that under cX-
ilLg statutes the government cannot inter-
;ne 10 prevent such construction when
itered upon without its consent, though
len such consent is asked and rranted
pon condition the authority to insist upon
'ch condition Is clear. Thus it Is repr,-
ntcd that while the officers of the govern
cnt are with great care guarding against
@ obstruction OF navigation by q bridge
ross the Mississippi at st. Paul, n large
or ior bridge has been built Just below
rs place directly in the navgable channel
the river. II such thugs are to be per-
itted strong argument is presented
,ainst The appropriation of large sums of
oney TO improve the navigation of this
~ olhcr important highways of commerce.
lie report OF the Secretary Of the Navy
ves history Of the operations OF his de-
u lment and the present condition OF the
ork committed to his charge
lie Cetails IN full the course pursued by
N TO protect the rights Of the government
respect to certain vessels unfinished at.
e time of his accession to office, and also
ncerning the dispatch boat Dolphin,
lmed to be completed and awaiting the
cepthnce OF the department. No one can
10 see from recitals contained In this
port, that only the application of bust
ss principles has been insisted upon In
treatment of these subjects, and that
latcyer controversy has arisen, was
used by the eXaction on the part Of the
partmcnt of contract obligations as they
re legally construed. In he case of the
lphin, with entire Justice to the contrac-
:, an agreement has been entered into
,,Vlding for the ascertainment, bya judi
lnqulry, OF the complete or partial
uciion, and futher providing for the as
sment of any damages to which tho gov
inent may be entitled on account Of n.
tial failure to perform such contract,
Tie payment Of the sum still remainlnls
oaid upon her price, in case a full per-.
nance is adiudped