The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-12-18

C00UK80OI8 "A
cial EFFORT has been made by the Secretary OF
the Treasury to increase the amount of our
silver coin In circulation. but the fact that q
te the Dnnc
in Sayrnent Of duties. leads to the belief that
the people DO not nov desire to keep Il in
hand. and thie: with the evident disposition
to hoard gold. gives rise to the suspicion
that there already exists lack OF confidence
among the people touching our financial
processes. 1 recommend the suspension Of
the compulsory coinage OF silver dollars
directed BY the law passed in February. 1876.
THE MARINE HOSPITAL SERVICE.
The Supervising Surgeon General reports
received relief through the marine hospital
service, of whom .&1 were treated in hos
pitfalls and 3S.Sll Mt dispensaries. Active and
medium of this service to protect the country
against an invasion OF cholera, which Inns
prevailed in Spain and France, and smallpox,
which recently broke out in Canada.
The work Of the coast and geodetic survey
was during the last fiscal year carried on with
ty-two States, two Territories and the District
OF Columbia. In July last certain irregular.
itics wore found to exist in the management
OF this bureau. which led to prompt investt
CATION of its methods, the abuses OF which
were brought to light by this examination.
and the reckless Disregard of duty and the
interests OF the Government depending ON
the part OF some OF those connected with the
service made change OF suporintendency
and other offices necessary.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
The report Of the Secretary of War is here.
with submitted. The attention of Congress
il invited to the detailed account which it
contains of the administration of his depart
ment and suggestions for the Improvement
Of the service. The army consisted, ut the
date of the lust consolidated returns, of 3,i54
officers and "a. s06 enlisted men. The ex-
renses of the department for tho fiscal year
ended June ~. 1917. including Ela, l64. 39i.6O
for public works and r.ver and harbor i'm
provemcnts. were $45. ,GD.H
Besides the troops which were sent in pur-
suit of the small band Of Indians who left
their reservation In Arizona and committed
murders and Outrages, two regiments OF cav
airy and one of infantry were sent last July
70 the Indian a. Territory to prevent an out
manned to aid, II necessary, in the expulsion
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 interference.
Troops were also scnt to Rock Springs. IN
the Chinese there. to prevent further dis
turbunces, and afterward 10 Seattle. i'm WASH
ingtOn Territory. to avert thre Ntened at
, w;csu upon t Gn.Iese nDorers ana domestic
euce of troops had the desired effect. IT ap-
pears that the number of desertiOns have
diminished, but that during the last fiscal
year the number was 2,99i. ana one instance
is given by the Lieutenant General of six
assertions by the Same recruit I am con-
WINGED that this number OF desertiOns can be
treatment. but the punishment should be
increased for repeated CTenscs.
The Judge Advocate General reports that
the number =. OF trials By general court martas
took place before garrison and regimental
court martials. The suggestion that probably
more than tenth Of the army has been tried
for ofenses great and small in one year may
well arrest attention. OF course many Of
these trials of garrison and regimental court
lnartials were for Oftcnses almost frivolous,
and there should. l think. be u way devised
to dispose of these in u more summary and
less iEcOnvenient manner than by court
martial. or some of the proceedings Of
court martial, which ! had occasion to ex.
anime, the present ideas OF justice which
generally prevail in the trials, am satisfied,
should be much reformed IL the honor
and tho honesty OF the army and the navy
are By their instrumentality,tc be vindicated
and protected.
The Board Of Notifications and Haroor De-
lenses, appointed in pursuance of provisions
1886, will, in a short time. present report,
and II Is hoped that this may greatly aid the
legislation SO necessary to remedy the pres
snt defenseless condition OF our seq coast.
THE SIGNAL SERVICE.
The work OF the signal service has been
prosecuted during the last year with results
of increasing benefit TO the country. The
field of instruct on has been enlarged with
view of adding to its usefulness. The mum.
Der of stations In operation Juno 10
1883. was $50. Telegraphic reports are re-
also received from 30 Canud an stations. 3,5
volunteer Observers. 81 army surgeons mt
military posts; and BIB foreign stations. The
year. after deducting receipts from
telegraph lines. was e7V, 5.2 o.
WEST POINT ACADEMY.
The military academy ut West Point is re-
ported as being in high state OF efficiency
and well equipped for the accomplishment Of
the purposes of It's maintenance. The fact
that the class which graduates next year is
to decline to make appointments to second
in the army from civil life 40
that such vacancies rs cxist IN these places
may be reserved for such graduates, and yet it
is not probable that there will be vacancies
enough to provide pos .tiOns for them all when
they leave the military school.
NAvI0ABLE WATERS.
There should be a general law of Congress,
prohibiting the construction of bridges over
navigablewatcrs I'm such manner as to obstruct |
navigation, with provisions for preventing
that the Government can not intervene to |
prevent such construction, when entered |
upon without Its consent. though when such |
consent Is asked, and granted upon condition |
is clear. ]
THa NAVY DEPARTMENT.
urcs s,nr OF ~ me b OF me Navy
partment. and the present condition of the |
work committed to his charge. He details |
IN full the course pursued by him to protect |
certain vessels unfinishe at the time Of his |
accession to Office, and also concerning the |
dispatch boat, Dolphin, claimed to he COM |
department.
No one can fail to see from recitals con-
tanned IN these reports that only the applica. |
upon in the treatment Of these subjects, and |
that whatever controversy has arisen was /
caused by the exaction on the part of the De- |
part , OF contract obligations Is they
Dolphin, with entire justice to the contract /
ors. an agreement has been entered into pro-
viding for the ascertainment, by a judicial in
quiry, Of the complete or partial compliance
with the contract in her construction, and |
further providing for the assessment of any
jamage 70 which the Government may
perform such contract. or payment Of the /
sum still remaining unpaid upon her price in
case 1ul performance is adjudged. The
ness being unable to complete the other
three vessels, they were taken possession of |
oy the Government in their unfinished state,
smcS clause in the contract permitting
completion in the yard of the contractor. but
under the supervision of the Navy Depart
Congress at its last session authorized the
Of two additional new cruisers
ana two gunboats. at q cost not to exceed in
me aggregate SaH Co., The appropriation
Tor this purpose having become available on
the LIST day OF July last, steps were taken for
the procurement OF such plans for the con-
struction OF those vessels as would be likely
70 insure their usefulness when completed.
These are OF utmost importance. consider.
ing the constant advance in the art of build.
ing vessels of this character. and the time Is
not lost which - spent in their careful con-
siderati0n and selection.
Ali must admit the importance OF an e6ec-
tive navy to nation like ours, having such
IN extended sea coast to protect, and yet we |
have not q single vessel Of war that would |
Keep the QNRa N9ainsf 4 NrSf-claSS vessel of |