The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1885-12-18
THE ARMY AND NAVY.
srcRETARY EyDIcoTv.s REpopr.

SECRETARY ENDICoTx REPOBK
The report Of the secretary of war is herewith
submitted: The attention OF congress is invited
to the detailed account which it contains of the
administration of his department., and his rec
concentrations and suggestions for the improve
ment of the service. The army consisted, at the
date OF the last consolidated returns, OF Elsa
officers and "a, 705 enlisted men. The expenses
OF the departments for the fiscal year ended
June 80, 1885, including $l3, 90 Tor
public works and river and harbor improve
ments. were S45, $50, 999.54. Beside the troops
which were dispatched in pursuit or the small
bands of Indians which left their reservation In
Arizona and committed murder 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, IL necessary. In the expul-
sion of intruders upon the reservation who, 1t
seemed, caused the discontent among the In
dians, but the executive proclamation warning
them TO remove was complied with without In
reference. Troops wore also sent TO Rock
Springs, In Wyoming territory, after the mas
sacre OF Chinese there. to prevent 1urther dls-
turbances, and afterward to Seattle. in Wash
ington Territory, to avert a threatened attack
upon Chinese laborers, and domestic violence
there. In both cases the mere presence OF the
troops had the desired effect; IL appears that
the number of desertions had diminished, but
that during the last fiscal year they numbered
1927; and one instance Is siveniby the lleutcn-
ant general of six desertions by the same re-
cruit. ] am convinced that this. number OF de-
sertions can be much diminished. by better dis
ciuline and treatment; but the punishment
should be increased for repeated onenses.
These assertions might also be reduced by less
ening the term of first enlistments. thus allow
ing a iscontented recruit to contemplate a nearer
discharge and the army a prontable riouance;
After one term of service ACCOMPLISHMENT womb
be quite ant TO secure a contenred recruit and a
good soldier. The acting judge advocate gen,
eral reports that the number OF trials oy generai
court martial during the year was 232I, and
that IL. ISL trials took place before garrison and
repimental courts martial. Thesuggestion that
probably more than half the army have been
tried for offenses, great and snlalf, may wenaI-
rest attention. The cause or many OF these Trials
before garrison and regimeutal courts martial
were for Offenses almost frivolous, ana tlere
should, / think, beA way devised 20 dispose OF
these in a more ummary and less inconyenient
manner than by court martiak III some of the
proceedings of courts martial which nave nau
occasion to examine present the lceas OF Justice
that generally prevail in these .ri5unals. ! am
IL the honor and the honesty OF the army. ana
navy are by their instrumentality to be vindi-
Gated and protected. The board on
FoRTrFtCATloNS N OTHER DEFENSES
appointed in pursuance OF the provisions OF the
act of congress approved March 81, 1888. Will,
In a short time. present their report, anu ~ Is
hoped that this may greatly aid the LEGISLATION
so necessary Ia remedy the present defenseless
condition OF our sea coasts. The work OF the
signal service has been prosecuted during the
past year with results OF increasing ps as hse -
enlarged with a view OK adding 20 is usetuinesc
The number of stations in operation June 80:
1885. was 4S9. Telegraphic reports are received
daily from $50 stations. Reports are also
received from rs Canadian stations, 80 y3lun-
teer observatories 81 army surgeons at military
posts. and three foreign stations. The expense
81 service during the fiscal year, after deducting
receipts from military telegraph lines. wssw795.-
1928 I. In view OF the fact referred 70 ny tne
secretary Of war that work OF this service. ordi-
!narIly Of q scientific nature, and further TACT
that il Is assuming larger proportions constantly
| and becoming more and more unsulted 10 the
| fixed rules which must govern the army, am
inclined 70 agree with him IN the
oninion that il should be separately established
III this is done the scope and extent or It's
operarions should az nearly - possible be done
| a. prescribed by the law. and always capable OF