The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1885-12-10

accomplishment oflegislation ON thi,
subject.
The report Of the secretary of war
is herewith submitted. The atten.
ton OF congress Ia invited to the dc
tailed account which 1t contains of
the administration of his department.
his recommendation and suggestions
for the improvement of the service
| The army consisted, at the date of
the last consolidated returns, of 2,154
officials aud 24,705 enlisted men. The
| expenses of the department for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1885,
including $11,l84:89460 for pub
lie works and harbor i'm.
provements, were $i5, 1850, e99 "a.
Besides the troops which were sent
, In pursuit of the small baud of In
dians who left their reservation In
Arizona and committed murder and
outrsges, two regiments of cavalry
aud one of infantry were sent last
June TO the Indian Territory to pre-
vent an outbreak which seemed i'm
minent. They remained to assist, II
necessary, the expulsion of intruders
have caused the discomfort among
the Indians; but the executive procla-
nation warning them to remove was
complied with without interference.
Troops were also sent TO Rock
Springs, In Wyoming territory, after
the massacre of Chieeee there, to pre-
vent further disturbance; and after
wards Ia Seattle, In Washington tor
ritory, to avert threatened attack
upon Chinese laborers aud other do
nestle violence there. In both cases
the mere presence of the troops had
the desired effect. It appears that
the number of assertions have di-
minished, but that during the last
fiscal year the number reached 1897;
aud one instance is given, by the
acknowledgement of six desertions
by the same recruit. | am convinced
that this number of assertions
can be much diminished by
better dicipline and treatment;
but the punishment should
DO increased for repeated offenses.
These desertions might also be re-
duced by lessening tho term of the
first enlistment, thus allowing a dis
conted recruit to contemplate near
er discharge, and the army profita-
BILE riddaDc'. After one term of
service retirement would be quite
sure to secure contented recruit and
good soldier.
The Judge adv ocate-general reports
that the number OF trials by general
oourts-martial during the year was
1928, and that 1851 trials took place
before the garrison and reprimental
courts-martial. The suggestion that
probably more than half the Amy
have been tried for ohenses, great aud
small one year, may well arrest atten.
ton course may ofthese trials before
the garrison and regimental courst-
martial were for offenses almost friv-
olous aud there should, think, be a
way devised to dispose OF these In a
more summary aud less inconveniert
manner than by court-martial. If
some of the proceedings of courts
martial which have had occasion 10
examine. present the ideas of Justice
which generally prevails in the trials,
l am satisfied they should be much
reformed, If the honor and the homes
ty of the army and the. navy
are by their instru mentality
to be :vindicated
| The board on Notifications and other
| defences appointed In pursuance of
provisions of the act of congress an
/ proved March Sd, 1885, will, In short
time, present their report, and il is
hoped that this may greatly aid the
legislation so necessary to remedy the
present defenceless condition of our
sea coast.
The work of the signal service has
been presented during the last year,
with results of increasing benefit to
the country. The field of instruc-
tions has been enlarged, with view
of adding to its usefulness.
The number of stations in OPP
Grafton June 80th was 4S9.
Telegraphic reports are received
daily from 100 stations; reports are
also received from rs Canadian sta.
tions, from 375 volunteer observers,
So army surgeons at military posts,
and 1888 foreign stations. The ex.
pense of the service during the fiscal
year, after deducting receipts from
military telegraph lines, was $751;
59257 In view of the fact, referred
to by the secretary of war, that the
work of the service ordinarily is of a
scientific nature. and the further fact
that it is assuming larger proportions
apd consequently becoming more and
more unsettled, am inclined to
agree with him in the opinion that
II should be separately established.
IL this is done the scope and extent
of its operations should as nearly
as possible be definitely pres
cribed by law and always
capable of exact ascertainment
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The report of the encouragement
contains history of the conduct OF
the department of Justice during the
last year, and number of valuable
suggestions as to needed legislation
aud invite your careful attention to
the same. The condition of bus
iuess in the courts of the United
States is such that there seem.
to be an imperative necessity for
remedial legislation on the subject.
Some of these courts are so over
burdeued with pending cases that the
delays In determining litigation
amount, often, to denial of justice.
Among the plans suggested for relief
is one submitted by the aitorney-gen-
eral. Its main features are: Transfer
Of all the the original Jurisdiction OF
the circuit courts to district courts
aud an increase of Judges for the lat.
, ter where necessary; an addition OF
judges to the circuit courts and con.
, stituiing them exclusively courts
of appeal, and reasonably lin.
iting appesAs thereto; furth
Their restrictions Of the right TO re
move cases from state to fedora
courts; permitting appeals to the su
) premc' courts from the courts of tn,
! District of Columbia aud the terrific.
] ries only in the courts as they are al
lowed from state courts, aud guard
lug against an unnecessary number
ofappeals from the circuit courts.
= approve the plan thus outlined ant
! recoWmend the Legislation necessar,
4 for Its application to our judicis