Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1885-12-17
The ARMY AND NAVY.

SECRETARY ENDICOrfS EXPORT.
The report Of the secretary Of war is herewith
submitted: The attention Of congress IL invited
to the detailed account which 1t contains OF the
administration of his department, and his rec
concentrations and suggestions for the improve
ment OF the service. The army consisted, at tbs
date OF the last consolidated returns, Of 2,l5l
officers and ~, 7O5 enlisted men. The expenses
OF the departments for the fiscal year ended
June 80, 1855, ioeluaing $l~3,i6i,55LoU for
pnbiic works and river and haroor improve
ments, were SiS, 50,999.5l BE side the troops
which We're dispatched in pursuit OF 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 70
prevent an outbreak, which seemed imminent
Jhey remained 70 aid, IL necessary, in the expul-
sion OF lntTuders upon the reservation who. It
seenied, caused tine discon'ent among thu In
dams, but the executive proclamation, warnlu.
them 10 remove was complied with withous m-
reference. Troops wore also sent to Rock
spring, IN wyoming territory, after the mas
taete OF thlaesc there, TO prevent further dis
furbaneea, aud afterward TO Seattle, in Wash
lngton territory, to avert a threatened attack
upon Chinese laborers, and domestic violence
there. In both cases the mere presence o. tho
troops had the desired effect. Il appears that
the number OF deserttons had diminished. but
that during tie last fiscal year they uumhs,.d
2927; and one instance II given by the lieuten-
ant general OF six assertions by the same re-
ctniI am convinced that this number of de-
sert!ons can be much diminished by better dis
c,pilne aud treatment. but she punishment
,,oala ne increased Tor repeated oiIeuses.
These desertionsm might also be reduced by less
enlng the term OF hrst e~ulistmenls, thus allow
ing ad'scontented recruit Go contemnlate a nearer
discharge and the army A profitable rlddance
AFTER one term OF service a re-enlistment would
ps quite apt 10 secure a contented recruit aud a
good soldier. The acting Judge adyocata gan'
efal reports that the number of trials by general
court martial during the year was :, 1927. and
snaS ii,s2i trials took place before garrison and
TtElTltnF9l eDlffa martial Tim a -.
probably more than half the army hsye been
tined for offenses, great and small. NAV we'll A.
test attention. The cause OF many OF she,e trials
before garrison and re1imeltal courts martial
We're Tor ~offenses almost frivolous, and there
snoulqt think, 10 a way devised 10 dlspose ~
tneee IN 4 more summary aud less inconyenLenL
uahner than by cOurt martial IL some OF Ire
Proceedings OF courts martial which 4 haya ba ~
OCCASION 10 examine present the ideas Of iusttee
thst generally prevail In these tribunals, i am
,S,sa snat tbey should bs much rrformed-
the honor and the honesty OF the army and
navy are by their instTumentality to be yindi-
Gated aud protected. The board on
fokIiflcarios AND oTHKh DEFENsEs
appointed IN pursuance Of the proyisions ~ The
act OF congress approved March N. Iss5 Will
w short time. present their rerost and n II
hoped thst this may greatly aid the Legislation
conSs,Tsny W remedy the present defenscless
conuItioh OF our sea coasts. The work ~ ihe
siRnal service has been prosecuted during the
nas' year WITH Ts-slts OF increasing b neht M
ne country The Held OF Operators has been
M "a "a " j a usttnltfaz
ne hnInoer OF stations in operation June 3o.
1850, was ls0 Teiegraphic reports are receive,
ually tron Ito stations. Resorts arc. aso
.eceiVed rom 20 CanIil,n stations, 375 tolnn.
teer observatories, 81 Amy surgeons al military
posts, and three foreign alta ions. The cxpenss
oi service during the fiscal year, after deductlne
.sse,,.Sf ron military telegraph lines. " $500
ovzoE IL View OF tao fact referred to by the
nsoIstary OF war that work & OF this service, ordi-
naIhy OF 3 scientific nature, and further fsc
.naI " = assuming larger proportions cons anti
snn becoming more and more unspitcd 10 the
nAsu ruies which must govern tho army. am
hn.iineu 20 agree with him IN thu
opiW!1n mat u should be separately established
= thls II done tae scope and extent OF H.
operatlon, sl3aii az nearly as possible b. dnna
IS pte+cribcd by tho law. aud always carahie
eXact aseeftainGnen, G. military acadt ms i
west Point Is reported as being IN a higi, 49,
OF enhciency, and we'll equipped for tins .sf,s.
lactnIy acc mpilsamsnt ~ the purposes ~
niailten' nee. The facs Tint tn sl,ss vii.
staunai es next yssrt q an unnsualiy largs :
nas constrained me t1dNeline 70 nike ap1ol
nents 70 second itrurensncles In the army f.au
Sish I'VE, sothat such vacancies as exist In thes
places may be reserved f.r such graduates. M,