Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-09


piled. rs a CONSEQUENCE this service is com
posed OF men well qualified for the perform
ance OF this dangerous and exceptionally I'M
portant duties.
WORK OF THE STATIONS.
The number of stations in commission at the
close OF the year was 2Q3 The number of dis
as ters TO vessels and craft OF all kind within
tnelr held of action was 81. The number OF
persons endangered IN such disasters was
:, 49, OF whom 242S were saved. and only IL
lost. Other lives which were imperiled,
though not by disasters to shipping, were also
rescued, and large amount OF property was
saved through the aid OF TINS service. Inc
COST o. Its maintenance during the year was
Ss2S,l74 40.
The work OF the coast and geodetic survey
was, during the last fiscal year, carried on with
in the boundaries ana of the coasts OF thirty
Two state, two Territories and the District OF
Coiumhla. In July asst certain irregularities
were found to exist IN the management OF
TINS bureau, which led TO prompt 1nvestlga-
tlon OF It's methods The abuses which were
brought TO light by this examination, and the
reckless disregard Of duty and the interests OF
the government developed on the part of some
OF those connected with the service, made
change OF superintendency and few of its
other officers necessary. Since the bureau
mas been in new hands au introduction of
economies and the application of business
methods have produced an important saving
10 the government and a promise OF more
useful results.
GROWTH or THE SERVICE.
This service has never been regulated by
anything but the most indefinite legal enact
ments ana the most unsatisfactory rules. II
was many years ago sanctioned, apparently
Tor purpose regarded as temporary. and re
lated to survey of our coast. Having gained
a place In the appropriations made by Con-
gress II mas gradually taken to itself powers
ana objects not contemplated In its creation,
and extended in separations until 1t sadly
needs legislative attention. SO far as a fur
ther survey of our coast is concerned there
seems to be propriety in transferring that
work to the navy department. The other du-
ties now in charge Of this establishment, if
they cannot be probably attached to
some existing department or other,
they should be prosecuted under law
exactly defining their scope and purpose, and
with careful discrimjnation between the
scientific inquiries which may properly be
assumed by the government, ana those which
should be undertaken by State authority or
Dy individual enterprise. 1t is hoped that the
report of the Congressional committee here
tofore appointed to Investigate this and other
like matters will ard in the accomplishment of
proper legislation on this subject. The report
of the Secretary of War 10 herewith sub
mitted.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
The attention of Congress is invited to the
detailed account which it contains of the adj
ministratior of his department. and his re-
concentrations and suggestions for the i'm
pFovement of the service. The army consisted
AZ the date of the last consolidated returns of
PISA officers, and a, 705 enlisted men. The
expenses OF the departments for the fiscal
year, ended June 30 1885, including $l,3l6,-
43s, 460 for public works, and river and harbOr
improvements, were S4,jS5, 099,954. Beside the
troops which were dispatched in pursuit of
the small band Of Indians who left their res
erYatiOn in Arizona, and committed murders
and outrages, two regiments of cavalry and
one of infantry, were sent last July to
the Indian territory to prevent
an outbreak which seemed imminent. They
raalr rTH TO nj
sion of intruders upon the reservation who
seemed TO have caused the discomfort among
the Indians. but the Executive proclamation
warning them to remove was complied with
without their interference. Troops we're also
sent to Rock Springs, in Wyoming Territory,
after the massacre of the Chinese there to
prevent further disturbance, and, afterwards,
to Seattle, in Washington Territory, to avert
a threatened attack upon Chinese laborers
and domestic violence there. In both cases
the mere presence of the troops had the de-
sired effect.
DECREAsED DEsERTIoNs.
1t appears that the number of assertions
have diminished. but that during the last
fiscal year they numbered 1927, and one in
stance is given by the Lieutenant General of
six deserGiOns by the same recruit. l am
convinced that this number of assertions can
be much diminished by better discipline and
treatment, but the punishment should be in
creased for repeated Offenses. These deser-
tons might also be reduced by IessenIng the
term of first enlistment. thus allowing dis
cOntented recruit TO contemplate a nearer
discharge, and the army profitable
radiance. After one term of service, re-en-
llstment would be quite apt to secure con-
tented recruit and good soldier. The acting
Judge Advocate General reports that the
number Of trials by general courts martial
during the year was 1928 and that j, S5l trials
took place before garrison and regimental
courts martha. The suggestion that proba-
bly, more than half the army have been tried
for Ofenses, great and small, in one year,
may well arrest attention, OF course many
of these trials before garrison and
regimental courts martial were for
olenses almost frivolous, and there
should. think, be way devised TO dispose
of these IN more summary and less incon-
venient manner than by court martial. II
some Of the proceedings of courts martial
which have had occasion TO examine pre-
sent the ideas Of Justice which generally pre-
vail in these tribunals am satisfied that they
should be much reformed if the honor and the
honesty of the army and navy are by their in
strumentality to be indicated and pro-
tected. The board on Notifications or
other defenses appointed in pursuance Of the
provisions Of Congress. approved March 8,
iss5. will in short time present their report,
and it is hoped that this NAV greatly aid the
legislation so necessary to remedy the present
defenseless condition OF our sea coast.
THE SIGNAL SERVICE.
The work of the Signal Service has been
prosecuted during the last year with results
field Of instruction has been enlarged with a
view OF adding to itsusefulness. The number
OF stations in operation June 30. 1885, was 4S9.
TelegraphiC reports are received daily from
1850 stations. reports are also received
from - Canadian stations, 375 vOlun-
teer observers, - army surgeons at
military posts. and 1888 foreign
stations The expense Of the service during
the fiscal year, after deductlng the receipts
from military telegraph linee, was $79.259, z97,
In view OF the fact referred to by the Secre-
tary OF War, that the work OF this service, or
dinarily, "a OF a scientific nature, and the fur
Their fact that 10 is assuming larger proper
tons constantly, and becoming more and
more up-uited to the fixed rules which must
govern the army, am inclined TO agree with
him in the opinion that it should be separate
extent OF its operations should as nearly as
possible be definitely prescribed by law, and
always capable of exact entertainment
THE MILITARY ACADEMY.
The Military Academy nc West Point is re-
ported AS being in 4 high state of efficiency
ana well equipped for the satisfactory accom-
ulishment OF the purposes OF It's maintenance,
The fact that the class which graduates next
year IS an unusually large one has con-
strained me TO decline to make appointments
10 second lieutcnancies in the army from civil
life so mat such vacancies as exist in these
pla ,es may be reserved for such graduates
and yet Il ia not probable shat there will be
enough vacancies TO provide positions for them
all when they leave the military schOOl-under
the prevailing law and usage. Those not
thus ssigned 10 duty never actively enter the
military service. IL is suggested that the law
ON ths subject DC changed 80 that such OF
these Young men AZ are not a. once assigned
10 duty after graduation may b. retained A.