Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-03
OUR ARMY.
Annual Report Of the Secretary Of War.


MOTION OF oFFIcERs-prsEnrIoS AND ITS REM
EDr-rHK WASHINGTON AouEpucr AND, TIE
POTOMAC FLArs.
The annual report of the Secretary of War
has been submitted to the President. The
total amount Of expenditures during the last
fiscal year was -, l65, l07.o7. The appropria-
tons for the current year amount TO $685.
93A27, and the estimates for the fiscal year
ending June So 1890, are ~, 6S2, S. The
present strength Of the army is 2,lss officers
and 24,549 enlisted men. The personal
qualities and services of the late
Gen. Sheridan are eulogized and
his death is regarded by Secretary Endicott. as
a personal sorrow. Considerable space is de-
voted to the relations OF the War department
and the Indians Artillery practice with heavy
sea-coast guns has been steadily developed,
and is, in the division Of the Atlantic, sue
cess. Two additional regiments Of artillery
are asked for. more equitable system of
promotion for officers is recommended. De-
sertlons from the army still continue to be
very frequent, the report says, ten per cent of
the enlisted men leaving their regiments each
year.
REWARDS FoR THE CAPTURE
OF deserters should be increased. and one-half
OF the pay Of each enlisted man should be re-
tanned until the enlistment has expired. 1t is
suggested that officers in command Of troops
at military posts and captains of companies be
granted authority to punish minor offenses
without the summoning Of a court martial.
The condition of the military academy is re-
ported to be very satisfactory. and
ations for the purchase of additional territory
and for the erection Of new buildings are made.
In the inspector generals report the snbsist.
ence department is praised for its work. but
there is said to be decided lacls of skill in the
cooks of the army. In the army medical
museum there have been added to the collec-
ton OF specimens 623 new ones; a total of
26.695. The library collection contains $50. 614
The contract with Providence hospital for the
support and treatment of transient paupers has
been satisfactorily fulfilled. The efficiency of
the medical department is seriously embar-
raised, because sixteen officers are incapaci-
tated for active service.
the defenseless condition Of our seacoast and
lake frontiers. The water supply of the city
OF Washington receives brief notice in which
the aqueduct tunnel is referred to.
OPERATIONS ON THE POTOMAC FLATS
are referred to, and it is shown that more than
half Of the work had been done, while the
money expended amounted to less than half of
the estimated cost.
THE LONG BRIDGE.
The Secretary refers to the communication
which was transmitted to the House Of Repre-
sentatives, says the report, on February Ia,
1888. calling attention to the probability Of
damage to this Improvement as well as to the
water front Of the city, from ice gorges and
freshets, and to the necessity of rebuilding,
without delay, the Long bridge with wide
spans and open piers, offering the least resist
ance to the flow of water in order to avert such
damage. The right to repeal or annul the act
of June Fl, 1870, permitting the Baltimore and
Potomac railroad to use this bridge, was re-
served to Congress.
The condition Of the Soldiers Home in this
city is satisfactory SO far as could be expected
where the accommodations are insufficient
The farm and dairy pay profit and are useful
and healthful appendages to the home. Con-
slant occupation is recommended for the in
mates, who now lead ''cheerless and idle lives
and are far from being contented and happy"
The Virginia Coupon Case.
MR.. RoYALL ASKS THE UNITED STATES SUPREME
COURT TO ISSUE AN EXECUTION AGAINST THE
STATE.
VIM. L. Royal, of Virginia, to-day made a
motion in the Supreme Court asking that the
court issue direct execution against the state
of Virginia for the costs awarded to him in the
tax coupon case of VIM. L. Royal against the
state Of Virginia. When the Supreme Court of
the United States decided this case in favor of
Royal it directed the court of appeals
of Virginia to issue execution for
Royals costs. The court of appeals
directed the husting's court, of Richmond. to
issue this execution which it did. The auditor
of the state refused, however. to pay the costs
as directed and when the city sergeant at
tempted to levy on the property of the public
library he was forcibly elected. The courts of
she state when subsequently applied to, refused
to grant an alias execution and Mr.. Royal now
asks the supreme court to issue a direct exc
cution. The amount involved is only about
$65.