Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-12-16


1t was many years ago sanctioned, apparently
for a. purpose regarded as temporary, and re1at-
ed to a survey of our coast Having gained q
place in the appropriations made by Congress,
it has gradually taken to itself powers and OBJ
jects not contemplated in its creation, and eX-
tended it's operations until it sadly needs 1egis-
latiYe attention.
DIsCoNTINUING A BUREAU.
So far as further survey of our coast is con-
cerned there seems to be propriety in trans
ferring that work to the Navy Department. The
other duties now in charge of this establish
ment, if they cannot be prohtably attached to
some existing department or other bureau,
should be prosecuted under q law exactly detn-
ing their scope and purpose, and with a careful
discrimination between the scientific inquiries
which may properly be assumed by the Govern
ment and those which should be undertaken
by State authority, or by individual enterprise.
1t is hoped that the report of the Congressional
Committee heretofore appointed to investigate
this and other like matters will aid IN the &C
complishment of proper legislation on this sub
ject.
THE ARMY.
The report of the Secretary of War is here
with submitted. The attention of Congress IS
invited to the detailed account which 1T contains
of the administration of his department and his
recommendations and suggestions Tor the I'M
provement of the service.
The army consisted, at the date or the laSJ
consolidated returns, of 154 officers and 24,fo
enlisted men. The expenses of the departments
for the fiscal year ending June 30 1885, including
49, 164 1894 60 for public works and river and haI
Dor improvements were S45, $50 500 Sd
Beside the troops which were dispatched IN
pursuit of the small band OF Indians VINO leu
their reservation in Arizona and committed muir
ders 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 remained to aid, if necessary,
in the expulsion of intruders upon the reserva-
ton 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 were also sent to Rock Springs, IN Wy
there to prevent further disturbances and af-
terward to Seattle, in Washington Territory, to
avert threatened attack upon Chinese laborers
and domestic violence there. In both cases, the
mere presence of the troops had the desired eff
feet.
DESCRIPTIONS.
It appears that the number of assertions has
diminished, but that during the last fiscal year
they numbered 1927, and one instance is given
by the Lieutenant General of six assertions by
the same recruit I am convinced that this num-
ished by better discipline and treat
ment but the punishment should
| be increased for repeated oHenses.
| These assertions might also be reduced by
lessening the term of first enlistments, thus
allowing discontinued recruit to contemplate q
| nearer discharge, and the army profitable rid
dance. After one term of service, re-enlist-
ment would be quite apt to secure contented
recruit and good soldier.
COURTS MARTIAL.
The acting Judge Advocate General reports
that the number of trials by general courts
martial during the year was 1923, and that ISL
| trials took place before garrison and regimental
| ably more than half the army has been
! tried for offences great and small, in
one year, may well arrest attention.
Of course, many of these trials before garrison
and regimental courts martial were for offenses
almost frivolous. and there should, think, be a
| way devised to dispose of these in a more sum-
| mary and less inconvenint manner than by
court martial. If some of the proceedings of
courts martial which 1 have had occasion to eX-
anime present the ideas of justice which gen
orally prevail 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 instrumentality to be vindicated and pro-
tected.
sEA-CoAsT DEFENsEs.
The Board on Fortifcations or Other Defenses,
appointed in pursuance of the act of Congress
approved March 3, 1885, will in short time pre-
sent their report, and it is hoped that this may
greatly aid the legislation so necessary to RENE
dy the present defenseless condition of our sea-
coasts.
SIGNAL SERVICE
The work of the Signal Service has been pros
ecuted during the last year with result of in
creasing benefits to the country. The field of
instruction has been enlarged, with a view of
adding to it's usefulness. The number of sta
tions in operation June 80, 1885, was 469.
Te1egraphic reports are received daily from 450
stations Reports also received from rs Ca
madam stations 375 volunteer observers 50 army
surgeons at military posts, and 333 foreign sta
tions. The expense of service during the fiscal
year, after deducting receipts from military tel
egraph lines, 1871, 592.97. In view of the fact
referred to by the Secretary of War, that the
work of this service ordinarily is of q scientific
nature, and the further fact that it is assuming
larger proportions constantly. and becoming
more and more unsuited to the fixed rules,
| which must govern the army, am inclined
TO agree with him in the opinion
that it should be separately established
If this is done the scope and extent of its opera
lions should, as nearly as possible, be definitely
| prescribed by law, and always capable of exact
ascerUainment
WEST POINT ACADEMY.
The military academy of West Point is re-
ported as being in a high state of efficiency and
well equipped for the satisfactory accomplish
/ ment of the purposes of its maintenance. The
fact that the class which graduates next year is
| an unusually large one, has constrained me to
i decline to make appointments to second lieu
| tenancies in the army from civil life, SO that
such vacancies as exist in these places may be
reserved for such graduates. and yet it is
not probable that 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 assigned to duty never actively enter
! the military service 1t is suggested that the
| law on this subject be changed so that snch of
/ those young men as are not at once assigned to
/ duty after graduation may be retained as Second
Lieutenants in the army, if they desire it, sub
| ject to assignment when opportunity occurs,
| under proper rules as to priority of selection.
The expenditures on account of the Military
Academy for the last fiscal year were $780, LOT.
| PRIvATE-PROPERTY CLAIMS
compensate officers and enlisted men for loss of
| private property while in the service of the
United States, is indefinite in it's terms, and
i apparently admits so many claims, the adjust
! ment of which could not have been contemplated,
| that if it is to remain the statute book it
| needs amendment.
| BRIDGES OVER NAVIGABLE WATERS.
! There should be O. general law of Congress
| prohibiting the construction of bridges over
naV1gable waters in such manner TO obstruct
navigation, with provisions for preventing the
same. 1t seems that under existing statutes
the Government cannot intervene to prevent
| such construction when entered upon without
its consent, though when such consent is asked
and granted upon condition, the authority to
insist upon such condition is clear
Thus it is represented that, while the officers of
the Government are, with great care guarding
| against the obstruction of navigation bv q
| bridge across the Mississippi River at ST. PauI
| q large pier for bridge has been built lust
below this place, directly in the navigable chan
mel of the river If such things are to be per
mitted, 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
! a history of the operations of his departments
and the present condition of the work COM
mitted 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,
! clSimed to be COMPLETED and awaiting the nc.