New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1885-12-16

Discharge and the army profitable riddance.
DO quite apt 70 secure = contented recruit and :
good soldier. The acting Judge advocate gem
6ral reports that the number Of trials BY general
court martial during the year was 1927 aud
that u. trials took place before garrison and
reR1mental courts martial The suggestion that
probably more than half the army have been
tried for oilensss, great and small, may well ar
before garrison and regimental courts martial
were Tor 0henseS almost frivolous, and there
should, l think, be way devised to dispose of
these in q more summary and less inconvenient
manner than by court martial II some Of the
proceedings OF courts martial which have had
occasion to examine present the ideas Of justice
satisfied that they should be much reformed
II the honor and the honesty of the army and
navy are by their instIumentality to be vtndt-
Gated and protected. The board on
NOTIFICATIONS AND OTHER DEFENSES
appointed in pursuance of the provisions Of the
act OF congress approved March 81, 1885, will,
hoped that this may greatly aid the legislation
so necessary to remedy the present defenseless
condition OF our sea coasts. The work Of the
past year with results Of Increasing benefit to
the country. The field of operations has been
enlarged with view of adding to its usefulness.
Inc 6e number o ct stations in operation June 30
1850. was 499. Telegraphic reports are received
daily from l60 stations. Reports are also
received from IS Canadian stations, 375 volun-
ter obserVator1es. So army surgeons at military
posts, ana three foreign stations. The expense
OF service during the fiscal year, after deducting
receipts from military telegraph lines, was $751;
592.91 In view of the fact referred, to by the
secretary Of war that work of this service, ordi-
narlly OF a scientific nature, and further fact
that it is assuming larger proportions constantly
and becoming more and more unsuited TO the
inclined to agree with him in the
opinion that it should be separately established
1t this Is done the scope and extent of it's
operations should as nearly as possible be done
as prescribed bv the law, and always capable of
exact ascertainment, the military academy at
west Point is reported as being III a high state
OF ef1lclency, and well equipped for the salts
factory accomplishment OF the purposes of it's
maintenance. The fact that the class which
graduates next year is an unusually large one,
has constrained me to decline to make appoint
ments to second lientenancles in the army from
civil life, so that such vacancies exist in these
places may be reserved for such graduates, and
yet 1t Is not possible that there will be enough
they leave the military school. Under the pre-
yatllng law and usage those not thus assigned to
duty never actively enter The military service.
1t IS suggested that the law on this subject be
changed, that such OF these young men as are
not at once assigned to duty after graduating
may DE- retained as second lieutenants in the
army IL they so desire IT, subject to assignment
when opportunity occurs, under proper rules as
to priority of selection. The expenditures on
account OF the military academy for last fiscal
pose from appropriations for the support OF the
army, were $500, 7l2.O7. The act approved
March 3, 1885, designed to compensate officers
and enlisted men for
LOSS OF PRIVATE PROPERTY
while in the service of the United States is so
indefinite in its terms and apparently admits SO
many claims. the adjustment of which could not
have been contemplated. that II it is to remain
on the statute book it needs amendment. There
should be general law OF congress prohibiting
the construction OF bridges over Eavigable wa
With provisions for preventing the same. It
seems that under existing statutes the govern
ment cannot intervene to prevent, SUE con-
struction, when entered upon without it's con-
sent though when such consent is asked and
granted, upon condition, it's authority to insist
upon such condition is clear Thus it is repre-
sented that while tire officers of the govern
snent are with great care guarding against the
obstruction OF navigation by bridge across the
Mississippi river at St. Paul, a large pier for
bridge has been built at that place:
such things are to be permitted strong argu-
ment Is presented against the appropriation Of
large sums OF money to improve the navigation
Of chs and other important highways OF COM
merce
The report of the secretary OF the navy gives a
history OF the operations of his department. and
the present condition of the work committed to
his charge He details in full the course pur-
sued by him to protect the rights of the govern
ment IN respect to certain vessels unfinished at
corning the dispatch boat Dolphin, claimed to
be completed aud awaiting the acceptance OF the
department. No one can fail to see from recitals
in this report that only the appica-
ton OF business principles has been insisted on
in the treatment of these subjects, aud that
whatever controversy has arisen was caused by
contract obligations as they were legally con-
strhed. In the case Of the Dolphin with entire
justice to the contractor, an agreement has been
entered Into providing for the ascertainment, by
compliance with the contract in her construc-
ton; and further, providing for the assessment
Of any damages to which the government may
be entitled On account of partial failure to per
form such contract. or the payment of the sum
still remaining unpaid upon her price In case
full performance Is adjudged. The contractor, by
to complete the other three vessels, they were
taken possession of by the government in their
unfinished state under act in the contract per-
1oh fSa and are In
under the supervision OF the navy department
THE NEW CRUISERS.
Congress at It's last session authorized the
two gunboats. at cost not exceeding in the
aggregate $2.995,OOO The appropriation for
this purpose having become available on the
f 1rst day OF July last, steps were at once taken
for the procurement OF such plans for the con-
structi0n of these vessels as would be likely to
insure their usefulness when completed. These
are Of the utmost. Importance. considering the
constant advance In the art of building vessels
OF this character and the time is not lost which
is spent In their careful consideration and selec-
t1On. We must admit the Importance of an
effective navy to nation like ours, having euch
an extended sea coast to protect. and yet we
have not single vessel of war that could keep
the seas against q tirst-class vessel Of any Inn
portant power Such condition ought not long
to continue: the nation that cannot resist
aggression Is constantly exposed to it; It's for
e1gn policy Is of necessity weak. and It's negotia-
lions are conducted with disadvantage, because
L Is not in condition to enforce the terms
dictated by its sense of right and justice
Inspired as l am by the hope shared by an
patriotic citizens that the day is not far distant
when our navy will be such as BELTS our
standing among the nations Of the earth, and
rejotced at every step that leads in the direction
Of such contamination. deem IL my duty to
especially direct the attention Of congress- to the
close OF the report of the secretary Of the navy
In which the humtliating weakness Of the pres
ent organization of this department is exhibited,
and the startling abuses and wastes Of its pres
ent methods are exposed. The conviction is |
forced upon us with the certainty of mathe-
NAUTICAL demonstration that before we proceed |
further In the restoration Of navy we need q |
thoroughly reoreanized navy department.. The |
Lact that within seventeen years more than |
$40, 600 has been spent on construction,
repairs and equipment and armament of vessels. |
and the further fact that instead of IN effective
and credttable fleet, we have only the discomfort
and apprehension Of nation undefended by
war vessels added to the disclosure now made. !