Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-12-18
THE ARMY AND NAVY.

SECRETARY END1CO1TS REPORT.
The report of the secretary Of war is herewith
snbmitted: The attention Of congress is invited
to the detailed account which it contains of the
administration of his Department. and his rec
ummendations and suggestions for the improve
lnent OF the service The army consisted, at the
date Of the last consolidated returns, of 1854
0fiGcrf; and ~, 7O5 enlisted men. The expenses
OF the departments for the fiscal year ended
June 80, 1885, Including $13, ,394 SO for
public works and river and harbor improve
tncnts, were NE, $50. 099.54. Beside the troops
which were dispatched in pursuit Of the small
bands OF Indians which left their reservation in
Arizona and committed mnrder and outrages
Two regiments Of cavalry and one Of infantry
prevent an outbreak. which seemed Imminent
They remained to aid, IL necessary, in the expul-
sion OF intruders upon the reservation who, it
seemed caused the discon,ent among the In
dians but the executive proclamation warning
them TO remove was complied with without in
terfersace. Troops wore also sent to Rock
Springs. 10 Wyoming territory. after the mas
sacre OF Chinese there, to prevent further dis
turbances, and afterward to Seattle, In Wash
inston Territory. to avert O threatened attack
npon Chinese laborers, and domestic violence
there. III both cases the mere presence OF the
troops had the desired effect. It appears that
the Number OF desertions had diminished, but
that during the last fiscal year they numbered
1927; and one instance il given by tho lieuten-
ant general Of six assertions by the Same re-
cruit. am convinced that this number of de-
sertions can be much dt1ninished by better dis
c1pi1nc and treatment: but the punishment
should be Increased for repeated ofenss,s
These assertions might also be reduced by less
snlng the term Of first enlistments, thus allow
mug q discontentcd recruit to contemplate nearer
discharge and the army profitable radiance.
After one term Of service re-enlistnent would
DC quite art to secure ccntented recruit and q
good soldier. The acting judge advocate gen.
eral reports that the number Of trials by general
court martial during the year WAS 1927, and
that l. S]l trials took place before garrison and
reeimentsl courts martial: The suggestion Tint
than have
lried Tor offenses, great and small, may we'll ar
rest attention The cause OF many of these trials
were for otfensos almost frivolous, aud there
should, think, be way devised to dispose OF
these in n more summary and less inconvenient
manner than by court martial It some OF the
proceedings of courts martial which have had
occasion TO examine present the ideas OF Justice
that ssserally prevail in these tribunals, l am
navy are by their instrumentality to be vindt-
Gated and protected The board on
FoRr1FIcAT1oNs AND OTHER DEFENSEs
appointed In pursuance Of the provisions OF the
act Of congress approved March 81, 1888, will,
N short time present their report, and II Is
30 necessary to remedy the present defenseless
condition OF onr sea coasts. The work OF the
signal service has been prosecuted during the
pas past year with results Of increasing benefit to
enlarged with . view Of adding to it's usefulness
The number OF stations in operation June 30.
!oSo, was 4So Telegraphic reports are received
aany 1rom l60 stations. Reports are also
received from % Canadian stations, 375 yoMn-
teer observatories- SO army surgeons at military
posts, and three foreign stations. The expense
OF service during the fiscal year, after deducting
tSGeipLs rom military telegraph lines, was ytoI-
592.97. In view Of the, fact referred to by the
secssta1y OF wsf that WORK q tnls service, osl.
t ua.ny OF sc1entlnc nature, ana Inlener iacs
sna' ~ 10 assuming larger proporttons KY
ard becoming more and more nnsuited TO the
nxsu rules which must govern sne amy am
s naid 60 agree Win nm ~ =. ln e