The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-12-04
SECRETARY OF WAR.
Mr.. Endicott's Report to
President Cleveland.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE.
The NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. MiIitias-
Coast DeTenses-TOrpedOes and
Submarine Mines-Etc.


President of his administration of the
War Department during the fiscal year
ended June 30th last. The total ex-
penditures were SAL $50 Jos. This sp-
propriations for the current fiscal year
amounted to $59, 679 .935, and the esti-
mates for the fiscal year ending June
80, 1890, aggregate $40 ,632 ,5o7, as fol-
lows: Salaries and contingent ex-
penses, $1,79S, 800; military establish
ment and support of the army and
military academy $25 .293 .378; public
works, including river and harbor 1m-
provement. $13, 785, 234; miscellaneous
objects, $3,575, 600. The estimates for
river and harbor Improvements repre-
sent the probable cost of such improve
ments, if approved by Congress.
THE INDIANS.
The Secretary gives brief review of
the trouble with Chiricahua and Apache
Indians from Mexican to the present
time, and discusses the various plans
suggested for the future treatment of
the Indians now confined at Mount
Vernon barracks, as many appeals
have been made for their release. In
regard to their disposition, the Sscre-
tary says: Various plans have been
suggested, the most prominent one by
General Armstrong, to place them on a
farm near Fort Monroe, but there were
serious objections urged from many
quarters. and it was deemed impractic-
able. 1t is very desirable to
secure some place where the eli
mate is suitable. An opportunity
may be had 10 instruct and employ
them in agriculture. In the meantime,
the work, if not of reformation
certainly OF amelioration and softening
their savage qualities, is making pro-
gress, and they are as contented and
happy as they can be anywhere outside
of arizona, for it is to be remarked that
they are devoted to that spot and would
resolutely resist, and would be very
unhappy if moved to any other perma-
nent home.
The Secretary renews the recon-
mendation contained in his last annual
report, into the examination for promo
ton, and says that the necessity for
such examination grows more and
more.
DEsERTIoNs FROM THE ARMY
continue in large numbers, as in pre-
vious years, but from investigation
constantly made it appears 80 per cent.
of the assertions occur before the ex-
piration of the second year Of service.
In discussing the various plans sug-
gested to prevent assertions, the Secre-
tary says: 1t is worthy of consideration
whether officers in command of troops
at military posts or captains of COM
panies, should not be authorized to i'm
pose some punishment for minor Of
lenses. By granting such authority, it
will be necessary to state. the extent
and character for each offence, other
wise there would be no uniform rule,
or would it be wise to impose large
discretion on simple officers?
ACADEMY IMPROVEMENTS.
Reports of the visitors to the Mill
tary Academy are made and he en-
dores their recommendation for new
buildings hereafter - academic build
ing, new gymnasium, separate building
for apartments, natural and expert
mental philosophy AID the purchase
of the Kinsley estate.
MILITIAs.
The Secretary says all the States and
Territories now have active militia. suf-
foient, under the regulations, to en-
title them to receive ordnance and
stores from the United
States, excepting the State of Arkansas
and Territories of Arizona, Idaho and
Utah. It is hoped very soon practical
instruction in sea-coast defenses and
the handling of heavy artillery may be
given to the militia, and officers of the
army may be relied upon to give zeal
ous and cordial assistance.
RIFLE PRACTICE.
By the generous supply of ammuni-
ton for target practice to the colleges
where army officers are serving as in
structors, the Secretary says, it is
possible that rife contests should in
time become as popular with the young
men as those of our private colleges of
character, and is convinced
from former reports and personal in
spection of the workings of the system,
that good results must follow from It's
adoption. The Secretary says he has
that in preparing plans for
some new military posts, provided for
by Congress, provision should be made
of messing troops by commands instead
OF companies.
OUR DEFENsELEss COAST.
The attention of Congress is again
invited to the defenseless condition of
the sea coast and lake frontiers, and
liberal and immediate action is recon-
mended looking to the defense of our
seaports. The Secretary says:
1t would appear now more important
than ever that such action should be
taken at the second session OF the pres
emit Congress, in view of the fact that
the last session. gave appropriations for
the construction of heavy ordnance,
heavy platforms, strong ar
mored protection and other strong i'm
These guns and mortars,
when finished, will be of comparatively
little use. The building of modern gun
and mortar batteries require longer
periods of time than the construction