The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1885-12-10

It appears that the number OF deser-
lions have diminished, but that during
the last fiscal year the number was
2 ,497. and one instance Is given by the
lieutenant general Of SIX assertions By
the same recruit. am convinced that
this number of assertions can be much
diminished by better discipline and treat
ment, but the punishment should be 1u-
creased for repeated offenses.
These dtssensions might also be re-
duced oy lesseuiDg the term of first en-
listment, thus allowing q diacontented
recruit 10 contemplate nearer dis
charge and the army & probable
radiance; after one term Of service q
retirement would tend 70 insure con-
tented recruit and good soldier. The
Judge advocate general reports that the
number Of sri4ls By general eourts-mar-
tiai during the year was :, S3S ana that
II, ISL trials took place before garrison
and fegimental courts-maFtial. The
suggestion that probably more thas half
the army have been tried for ofsnses
great or small In one year may well ar
rest attention.
OF course many Of these trials before
garrison and regimental courtmartials
were for offences almost frivolous, and
there should. I think, be way devised to
dispose OF these in more summary aud
less 1ncoaVenient manner than by 8
courtuartisl, II some OF the proceedings
OF cOurtmartiaIs which have had occS-
sion to examine present ideas of justice
which generally prevail In the trials. am
satisfied they should be much reformed II
the honor aud the honesty of the army
and navy are by their fundamentally to
be indicated and protected.
Telegraphic reports are received daily
from 190 stations. Reports are also re-
ceived from 70 Canadian stations, 3Y5
volunteer observers, 81 army surgeons at
military posts, and $50 foreign stations
The expense of tho service during the
dscal year, after deducting the receipts
from military telegraph lines, was eE9,-
f5o, 297. In view of the fact referred to
by the secretary of war, that the work of
this service ordinarily Is of scientific
nature and the further fact that 1t Is as
suming proportions constantly and bs-
coming more and mora unsuited 10 tie
fixed rules that must govern the army,
am inclined to agree With him in fhe
opinion that 1t should be separately es-
tablished.
Under the prevailing law and usage
those not thus assigned to duty never ac-
lively enter the military service, and 1t is
suggested that the law on this subject be
changed so that such of these young men
az are not at once consigned to duty after
lieutenants In the army If they desire it,
subject to assignment, when the oppor-
tunity occurs, under proper rules as to
priority of selection. The expenditures
on account OF the military academy for
the last fiscal year, exclusive of the sum
taken for purposes for the support Of the
army were s390.007.
The act approved March srd, 1895, de-
ngned to compensate oAcers and enlist
al In Of fIo
In the service of the Baited States, Ia so
indefinite In its terms and apparently
admits so many claims the adjustment OF
which could not have been contempla-
ted, that II IL is TO remain on the statute
book 1t needs amendment. There should
be a general law Of congress prohibiting
the construction of bridges over naVig-
able waters In such manner as TO OBJ
struct navigation, with provision for pre-
venting same. Il seems under existing
statutes the government cannot intervene
to prevent such construction when en-
tered upon without its consent.
Thus IL is represented that while the
officers of the government are
with great care guarding against the Oh
strucnons of navigation by q bridge
across the Mississippi river at Sc. Paul,
large pier for a bridge has been BULL
just below the place, directly il the nav
r.
things are to be permitted, argument is
presented against the appropriation OF
large sums of money to improve the nav
igation of this and other important high
ways.
The report of the secretary OF the navy
gives q history of the operations OF his
department and the present CONF tion oi
the work committed to his charges be
details in full the course pursued by him
To IL Sk
In respect of certain vessels unfinished
at the time Of his accession of oface and
also concerning the despatch boat Dol
phen claimed TO be completed and await
ing the acceptance OF the department.
No one can fail to see frona the re-
citals contained In these reports that on
ly the application of business principles
has been insisted upon In the treatment
OF these subjects, and thar whatever
controversy has arisen was caused By
the ex4crlon on the part Of the depart
ment, of contract obligations as they
were legally construed on the part Of the
Dolphin, with entire Justice to the con-
tractors. An agreement has been enter
ed into providing for the ascertainment
by q judicial inquiry Of the
complete or partial compliance with
the contract in her constitution.
And further providing for the assess.
ment OF any damages to which the gov
eminent may be entitled on account of a
partial failure to perform such contract
or payment OF the sum remaining unpaid
upon her price, in case q full perform
ance Ia adjudged. The contractor, by
reason of bis failure In business, being
unable TO complete the other three YES
sells, they were taken possession of by
the government In their unfinished
state, under a clause in the contract per-
hitting such course, and are now In
process OF completion in the
yard OF the contractor, but under
the supervision Of the navy department,
Congress at Its last session authorised the
construction Of two additional new cruz
serS and two gunboats at q cost not to ex-
coed In tho aggregate %, e95 900. Tho
appropriation for this purpose having be-
come available on the hrst day OF july
last, steps were at once taken for the
procurement of such plans for the con-
structiOn of those vessels as would be
likely to insure their usefulness when
completed. These are of the utmost i'm
porrance considering the constant adj
vance in the art Of building vessels of
this character, and the time IL not lost
which was spent in their
careful confederation and selection.
All must admit the importance of an eff
fectIve navy to nation like ours, having
such an extended seacoast to protect, and
yet we have not single vessel of war
that could keep tho seas against FIRST
class vessel of any important power.
Such condition ought not longer to
continue. The nation that cannot resist
aggression, Is constantly exposed, its
foreign policy of necessity Is " eak and
Its negotiations are conducted with dis
because 1t is not Ia a condition
to entore the terms dictated by its sense
Of right and Justice.
Inspired as am by the hope shared
by all patriotic citiaens that the day is
not far distant when our navy will be
such az befits our standing among the
nations of the earth and reioiced at