Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-09

largely obviated by an amendment of
those laws, but pending such amendment,
the present condition of this litigation,
should be relieved. There are now pending
| about $500 of these suits,m than LOO
nave been commenced, within the past
eighteen months, and many of the Other
AaVe been at issue for more than twenty
! i've years. These delays subject the
! government to loss of evidence, and pre-
vent the preparation necessary to defeat
unjust and fictitious claims, while con-
stantly accruing interest threatens to
| double the demands involved.
| IN the present condition
of the )ckets of the courts well filled
with private suits and of the force allow
| ed the district attorney no greater than is
necessary for the ordinary and current
business of his office, these revenue liti-
| cations could be considered. In default
of the adoption by the congress of plan
for the general recognition of the federal
court as heretofore recommended. urge
the proprlety of passing a law permit
ting the appointment of an addition
al federal judge in the district where
these government suits have accumu-
lated, SO that by continued sessions of
the court devoted to the trial
of these cases may be determined. It is
entirely plain that great saving to the
government would be accom- plished by
such remedy. and the suitors who have
honest claims would not be denied Justice
through delay.
THE REPORT OF TIE SECRETARY OF WAR
gives detailed account of the admins
tration of his department, and contains
recommendations for the improvement
of the service, which I fully approve.
The army consisted at the date of the
last consolidated returns of 2,1O3
officers, and 24,946 enlisted men.
The expenses of the department for the
last fiscal year were $50, 1892, 903.38 inclnd-
ing Sc, 294 ,305.43 forpublic works and river
and harbor improvements. 1 especially
direct the attention of congress to the
recommendation that officers be requir-
ed to submit an examination as prelimn-
airy to their promotion. I see no objec-
ton but many advantages in adopting
this feature which has operated so bene-
ficially in our navy department as we'll as
in some branches of the army. The sub
ject of
COAST DEFENsEs
and Notifications has been fully and care
fully treated by the board on fortified
last session of congress; but no construc-
tlsn work of the kind recommended by
the board has been possible during the
last year from the lack of appropriations
for such purpose. The defenseless con-
ditiOn of our sea coast aad lake frontier
| is perfectly palpable, the examinations
made must convince us all that certain of
our cities named in the report of
the board should be fortified and
that work on the most import
ant of these Notifications should be
commenced at once. The work has been
thoroughly considered and laid out, the
Secretary of War reports, but all is de-
layed in default of congressional action.
The absolute necessity as judged by all
standards of prudence and foresight of
our proportion for an effectual resistance
against the armored ships and steel guns
and mortars of modern construction
which may threaten the cities on our
coasts is so apparent that hope effective
steps will be taken in that direction i'm
mediately. The valuable and suggestive
treatment of this question by the Secre
tary of War, is earnestly commended to
! the consideration of congress.
THE INDIANS.
In September and October last, the
hostile Apaches, who, under the leader
ship of Geronimo, had for eighteen
months been On the warpath and during
that time had committed many murders
and been the cause of constant ter
ror to the settlers of Ari-
iona, surrendered to Gen. Miles, the
military commander who succeeded Gen.
Crook IN the management and direction
of their pursuit. Under the terms of the
surrender as then reported, and in view
of the understanding which this murder
Gus savages seemed to entertain of the
assurances given them, it was considered
best to imprison them in such manner
as to prevent their ever engaging in such
outrages again, instead of trying them
for murder. Fort Pickens having been
selected as a safe place of confinement
all adults males were sent thither, and
will be safely guarded as prisoners. In
the meantime the residue of the band
who, though still remaining upon their
reservation, were regarded as unsafe and
suspected of furnishing aid to those on
the war-path, had been removed to Fort
Marion. The women and larger children
Of the hostiles we're also taken there and
arrangements have been made for putting
the children of proper age in Indian
schools.
THE NAVY.
The report of the secretary of the
navy contains detailed report of the
condition of his department, with such a
statement of the action needed to i'm
prove the same as should challenge the
earnest attention of congress. The pres
ent navy of the United States, aside from
the ships in course of construction, con-
slsts, lst, of fourteen single turreted mon
%ors, none of which are in commission
nor at the present time serviceable. The
batteries of these ships are obsolete. and
they can be only relied upon as auxiliary
ships in harbor defense, then after such
an expenditure upon these as might no4
be deemed justifable. Second-FiveI
fourth rate vessels, of small tonnage, only
one of which was designed as a war yes
sci and all of which are auxiliary merely.
Third-Twenty seven cruising ships,
three of which are built of iron of small
tonnage and TWEEN y-four of wood. Of
these wooden vessels it is estimated by