Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-12-09

be properly be assumed by the Government
|, and those which should be undertaken by
!, state authorities or by individual enter
prize. 1t is hoped that the report Of the
/ Congressional committee heretofore sp'
|, pointed to investigate this and other like
!. matters, will aid in the accomplishment of
proper legislation on this subject.
THE ARMY.
The President Reviews the Report of the
Secretary of War.
The report of the Secretary of War is
herewith submitted. The attention Of Con-
gress is invited to the detailed account
which it contains of the administration Of
his department and his recommendations
and suggestions for the improvement of
the service. The army consisted at the
day of the last consolidated returns Of two
thousand one hundred and 6tty-four Off
GERS and twenty four thousand seven
hundred and FIVE enlisted men.
The expenses of the department
for the fiscal year ended June 30. 1885,, in.
Guiding $l3. l64. 1874 60 for public works
and hsrbor improvements were 1885,
O99, 954. Beside the troops which were
dispatched in pursuit of the small band OF
Indians who left their reservation in Ari-
IONA and committed murders and outrages
two regiments of cavalry and one OF in
fantry 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 on the reservation who
seemed to have caused the discomfort
among the Indians, but the executive pro-
clamstion warning them to remove was
complied with without interference.
Troops were also sent to Rock Springs in
Wyoming Territory after the massacre of
Chinese there, to prevent further destruc'
ton, and afterwards to Seattle 10 Wash.
ingtou Territory, to avoid a threatened
attack upon Chinese lsborers and domestic
violence there. In both cases the mere
presence of the troops had the desired
effect.
I TO REMEDY DESERTIoNS.
1t appears that the number Of assertions
have diminished but that during the last
f.cal gear they numbered 1927 and one
instance is given by the Adjutant General
of six desertions by the same recruit. l
am convinced that this number
of 6esertions can be greatly
diminished By better discipline and treat
ment, but the punishment should be in
creased for repeated offences. These de-
s~ertions might also be reduced by lessen
ing the term of first enlistment, thus al
lowing a discontinued recruit to contem-
plate a nearer discharge aud army a prof.
table radiance. After n term of service
a re enlistment would be quite apt to Sc
cure a contented recruit and good soldier.
CoURTs MARTIAL.
The Acting Judge Advocate General
reports that thsnumber OF trials BY gener-
al court martial during the year Was 2,32S,
and that 1851 trials took place before
garrison and regimental courts martial.
The suggestion that probably more than
half the army have been tried for offenses
greatand smallin one year may we'll arrest
attention. OF course many OF these trials
before garrison and regimentsl courts mar
tial were for o~ffenses almost f~rivilous and
there should, think, be a way devised to
dispose of these in a more sum-
mary and less %inconvenient man
re, than by court martial.
If some of the proceedings ofcourt martial
which | have had occasion to examine,
present the ideas Of i%lstice which gener-
ally prevail in these tribunals / am salts
fed that they should be much reformed,
if the honor and the honesty Of the army
and navy are, by their instrumentality, to
be indicated and protected.
OUR COAST DEFEYsEs.
The Board OF Fertilization or other de-
fenses appointed in pursuance Of the pro.
visions Of the act Of Congress approved
March 3, 1885, will, in a short time, pre-
sent their report Of it, and it is hoped that
this may greatly aid the legislation neces-
sary to remedy the present defenseleSs con-
diuons Of our sea costs
THE SIGNAL SERVICE.
The work of the Signal Service has been
prosecuted during the last year with re-
suits of increasing benefit to the country.
The field of instruction has been enlarged
with a view Of adding to its usefulness.
The numbo. of stations in operation June
30, 1885, was 489. Telegraph reports are
received daily from loo stations. Reports
are also received from twenty-five Canadian
stations; 375 volunteer observers; SO ar.
my surgeons at military posts, aud 1913 for.
eign stations. The expense OF the service
during the fiscal year after deductiug re,
celpt from military telegraph lines, was
1872. 592 81. In view Of the fact referred
to BY the Secretary Of War that the work
of the service ordinarily is of q scientific
nature and the further fact that it is assum.
ing larger proportion continuity and beeom'
ing 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 II
this is done, the scope aud extent of it,
operations should be, as nearly as possible,
definitely prescribed BY Law, and always
capable of exact ascertainment.
THE MILITARY ACADEMY,
at West Point, is reported as being
in a high state Of efficiency and
well equipped for the satisfae
tory accomplishment Of the purpose
! of its maintenance. The fact that the
class which graduates next year ia an nm
usually big one, has constrained me to de
J cline TO make appointments to second lieu
tenants in the army from civil life so thai
: such vacancies as exist in these places
may be reserved for such graduates. and
vet it is not probable that there will bt
e enough vacancies to provide positions fcl
them ell when they leave the military
school. Under the prevailing laV
t and usage those not thu
: assigned to duty never ~actiVel!
enter the military service. 1t is suggested
. that the law on this subject be changed &C
b that such of these young men as are not q
e once assigned toduty after graduating NAY
g be retained as second l%ieutensnts in tn
J. army, if they desire it, subjec. to assign
. men, when opportunity occurs, and unde'
d proper rules as to priority Of selection
The expenditures on account Of the mill