The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-11-14

themselves for re-enlistment. The re-
port states that the army generally Is in
4 very healthy and gratifying condition,
and the discipline excellent, but few
officers have been tried by court-martial
during the year, aud the opinion Is eI-
pressed that there has not been q pc
riod within twenty-five years when so
little necessity has existed for the cor
rection of those holding commissions.
II is suggested that Congress open the
retired list TO the extent OF embracing
the officers now excluded from il, for
want of vacancies. General Sheridan
saws: This would give certain degree
of promotion, and II we could get the
infantry regiments increased to twelve
companies, as proposed by the Man
derson bill, and an increase OF 5000
men reported faVorably by the Senate
military committee last winter, a state
of efficiency and usefulness would be
reached which would enable Us TO
creditably perform such service as the
country might demand The report
shows that the instruction OF the army
in the use OF rife or carbine with when
men are armed has been thoroughly
prosecuted during the year and re-
turns from each department, as vel
as the results OF regular competitions.
exhibit 3 decided advancement in the
proficiency Of the army in rihefring.
The general renews his recommends
tons made in his preceding report
touching the allotment Of land in sever
atty TO the Indians, the sale OF surplus
lands, and the creation OF trust fund.
From the reservations nthe Territories
Of Dakota and Montana we have an
aggregate area Of over 81 500, 600 acres
aud q population of less than 5000
surplus AREA Of nearly $500 square
miles (almost equal TO the entire State
OF KAnsas) would produce an annual in
terest Of over s., 500, 600. The appropri-
atoms for the fiscal year ending June
30th, 1856, for fulfilling treaties With
these tribes and for their subsistence
and civilization land pay OF employees
incident TO such undertaking, amount
10 about $l0o. 600 less than this sum. In
like manner the application OF the plan
on the different western States and
Territories. is shown in detail,
and the report concludes as FOL
lows: The Indian reservations
Of the United States contain about 30
600 square miles, and their population
Is about go 600. Twentv-slx thousand
square miles will locate each family
upon half q section of land, leaving 8
surplus Of about 10000 square miles,
which. according to the plan have
pros osed, would produce annually sal
4S0. 600. This amount exceeds bv about |
$3.50. 90 the entire sum appropriated |
for the payment OF their annuities and |
for their subsistence and civilization. |
The policy advocated in my report |
would be more advantageousiy applied |
gradually the general government Of the
Indians being continued accord n TO q e
u .thods now in voL q or such improve
ment Of them as tim7 ana experience
nav suggest. The ultimate develop
nent Of the suggested policy would. ss
the Indians advance in civilization and /
result in g return TO them
d the pr.ncil q derived from the sale OF
heir lands. which until such measures
we're authorized by an act OF Congress.
would Be held in trust for their beneh'.
and tie income applied 70 their support