The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-12-17

Tor purpose regarded as temporary, ana fclnt-
cd to a survey Of our coast. Having gained n
place In the appropriations made by Congress-
IL has gradually taken to itself powers and OBJ
lects not contemplated Ia It's creation. ana ex-
lative attention.
DIscoSTIsUNo A BUREAU.
So far as further survey Of our coast Is con-
cerned. there seems to be n proIriety I'm trans
ferring that work to the Navy Department.. The
other duties now in charge of this establish
ment, IL they cannot be prohtably attached to
some existing department. or other bureau,
should be- prosecuted under n law exactly defn-
ing their scope and purpose, and with II 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.
It is hoped that the report Of the Congressional
Committee heretofore appointed to investigate
this and other like matters will aid in the nc
complishment Of proper legislation ON this sub
ject.
The report Of the Secretary OF War il here
with submitted. The attention OF Congress Is
invited TO the detailed account which IL contains
of the administration of his department and his
| recommendations and suggestions for the inn
provement of the service.
The army consisted, NJ tho date OF the last
consolidated returns, of 154 officers and "a, 7O5
enlisted men. The expenses Of the departments
for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1885, including
Sl3, l0i 3946O for public works and river and har-
Dor improvements. were S45, $50, 900 "a.
Beside the troops which were dispatched in
pursuit Of the small band Of Indians who left
A
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-
| tion who seemed TO have caused the discomfort
among the Indians, but the Executive procla;
nation warning them 10 remove was complied
with without interference
Troops were also sent to Rock Springs, In wy
| oming Territory, after the massacre of Chinese
| there, to prevent further disturbances and AZ
| terWarl to semitic. III Washington TERRITORY, 10
avert n threatened attack upon Chinese laborers
| and domestic violence there. In both cases, the
mere presence OF the troops had the desired ef-
| feet
| DEsERTIoNs.
IL appears that the number of assertions has
diminished but that during the last fiscal year
| they numbered 1897, ind one instance is given
| by the Lieutenant General of six assertions by
| the same recruit. / am convinced that this num-
| Der of assertions can be much dimin-
| ished by better discipline and treat
ment, but the punishment should
! be increased for repeated offenses.
These assertions might also be reduced by
| allowing discontented recruit to contemplate a
nearer discharge, and the army profitable rid
dance. After one term of service, re-enlist,
| ment would be quite apt to secure u contented
| recruit and good soldier.
| COURTS MARTIAL.
| The acting Judge Advocate General reports
| that tho number of trials by general courts
martial during the year 2,32S, and that ,S5l
| trials took place before garrison and regimental
| courts-martial. The suggestion that prob
| ably more than half tho 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 otfenses
| almost frivolous. and there should, think, be a
| way devised TO dispose of these in n more sum
| mary and less inconvenint manner than by
| court martial. II some of the proceedings OF
courts martial which 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 DO vindicated and pro-
| tected.
sEA-CoAsT DEFFNsFs.
! The Board on Fortihcations 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 benz Its TO the country. The field OF
! instruction has been enlarged, with view OF
| adding TO its usefulness. The number of sta
| tions in operation June 30 1885 was 4S9
| Telegraphc reports are received daily from ACC
| stations Reports are also received from 10 Ca
madam stations, 375 volunteer observers, 81 army
surgeons at military posts, and 333 foreign sta
! lions. The expense of service during the fiscal
year, after deducting receipts from military tel
egraph lines, was S797, 59297 In view OF the fact
! referred TO by the Secretary 81 War that the
work of this service ordinarily is of scientific
nature, and tho 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 il should be separately established
II this is done the scope and extent of its opera
tons should, nearly possible, be definitely
prescribed by law, and always capable of exact
| ascertainment.
WEST POINT ACADEMY.
| The military academy of Nest Point is re-
ported as being in high state of efficiency and
well equipped for the satisfactory accomplish
fact that the class which graduates next year is
an unusually large one, has constrained me tC
decline To make appointments 10 second Lieu
tenancies IN the army from civil life, so that
! such vacancies as exist in these places may be
RS rived for such graduates. and yet il Is
not probable that there will he 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. IL is suggested that the
law on this subject be changed so that such OF
those young men as are not ut once assigned q
duty after graduation may be retained as Second
Lleutenants in the army, if they desire it, sub
jet TO assignment, when opportunity occurs
under proper rules as 70 priority of selection
The expenditures ON account of the Military
Academy for the last fiscal year were 500 7l20I
PRIvATE-PROPERTY CLAIMS.
The act approved March 3, 1876 designed L
compensate officers and enlisted men for loss Of
United States, is SO indefinite i'm its terms, and
apparently admits many claims, the adjust
ment of which could not have been contemplated
that IL 10 is TO remain the statute book Il
needs amendment.
BRIDGES OVER NAvIGABLE WATERS.
There should be n general law of Congress
prohibiting the construction OF bridges over
navigable waters in such manner as TO obstruct
navigation, with provisions for preventing the
same. II seems that under existing statutes
the Government cannot intervene 20 prevent
such construction when entered upon without
it's consent, though when such consent is asked
and granted upon condition, the authority Il
insist upon such condition is clear
Thus 10 is represented that, while the officers OF
tho Government are with great care, guarding
| against the obstruction of navigation by
| bridge across the Mississippi River ut st. Paul
a large pier for bridge has been built Just
below this place. directly in the navigable chan.
mel Of the river. II such things are TO be per
mitted, strong argument is presented against
| improve the navigation OF this and other i'm.
| portant highways Of commerce.
| NAVAL AFFAIIls.
The report OF the Secretary OF tho Navy gives
history OF the operations OF his departments
and the present condition of the work com.
| mitted 20 his charge. He details in full the
course pursued by him 20 protect the rights OF
the Government in respect of certain vessels
unfinished ut the time of his accession 20 Office
and also concerning the dispatch boat Dolphin
claimed TO be completed and awaiting the &c.
ceptance of the department.
No one can fail TO see, from the recital con-
| tanned in this report, that only tho application
OF business principles has been insisted upon IN