Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-11-30
THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY
OF WAR.

Eleven and SlX-tenthS per cent, OF the sol
diers of the regular army deserted IN the
present year to date. In some years the
percentage has risen to nearly sixteen.
The Secretary of War in his report to be
submitted to Congress next week says that
the assertions are mainly from among the
raw recruits. His recommendation is the
pith of wisdom and the salt of conciseness,
when he says; Make the service worth
seeking, and enough good men will enter
and remain in the army" 1t is the only
solution of the difficulty. Raise the stand
ard of character for the recruit; give him
pay sufficient to meet his reasonable de-
mands, and from which he can make some
saving; offer the deserving honors and re-
wards, and promote the efficient, studious
and meritorious, and the shame of deser-
ton will become almost unknown in the
army What sort of material has the ma
ton a right to expect, the ambition of
which is limited by thirteen dollars a
month
The Secretary makes some very practi-
cal suggestions on this topic that we can
not do better than present in his own Ian
guage since they are concise and disclose
an intelligent comprehension Of the whole
question. He says:
a. Make the pay Of non-commissioned Off
GERS of infantry cavalry and artillery the same
as now established by law for like grades in the
Engineers. More bright and ambitious young
men might be thus induced to enter the service
An excellent recommendation, but ii
might go to greater length and include in
crease of pay for privates. As it now rates
it is a bid only for the lazy man, the fell
low who in these stirring times and this
age of advantages can see nothing better
than "a bakers dozen of dollars month
and found
o. Give the soldier an opportunity to SO i'm
prove himself that when he leaves the service
he may be better fitted for civil life than when
he entered it. Post schools should be estab-
lished where not only instruction by lesson and
lectures should be given in matters pertaining
to military service, but also in the elementary
branches of mathematics, science, mechanics,
surveying, engineering, drawing, etc. All Of
o K.
1t would have no tendency to relax discipline,
but would establish a new relation between the
company officers, especially the subalterns, and
enlisted men, that would be beneficial to both,
and help to remedy some of the evils of the
present military administration Something
has already been done in this direction and
several schools have been established. Officers
who have served on college detail are especially
fitted for this work. But an appropriation is
necessary for books, apparatus, chool-rcoms,
etc in order to give opportunities for fair trial
Of the plan.
A practical, sensible and praiseworthy
recommendation. Even thirteen dollars
month would be a temptation for good men,
if supplemented by the advantage that the
opportunity to learn trade or secure a
fair education offers. Half day, say old
army officers, is ample for all post duties,
and the other half can well be given to
study and the requirement of that skill in
manual arts that viii fit the man for the
active duties of a civilians life.
49, Authorize re-enIistments for one or more
years at posts where & soldier is discharged A
man viii sometimes re-enlist for a short time
when he will not for the full term. II the Gov
eminent is not subjected to the cost of transpor-
tation and instruction, the great objection to
listed for short term would not desert.
"a Made a code of punishment suited to
times of peace which is less arbitrary but more
certain.
While he does not in so many words in
dorse the following recommendations sub
mitted by old army men, the Secretary
presents them without disapproval:
% Authorize enlistments FOL. three years only.
hoe II el1pr rF &c
himself dissatisfied with the service, It is better
TO release him within reasonable time.
C9) For the same reason give the soldier in
time of peace the privilege of purchasing his
discharge under we'll defined regulations
isl Retain some part of the soldiers pay,
which he forfeits by desertiOn. but which eth
erwise would augment his savings at the time
of his discharge.
The report of the Secretary of War
shows that the expenses of his department,
including river and harbor Improvements,
amounted for the fiscal year ending June
3Oth. to s46,654,121 "A, and the appropri-
atoms for the current fiscal year are nearly
s94 100000. The estimates for the De
nartment for. the fiscal year ending June
so. 1891, are s44157,978 95. The condi-
ton of the army as to sanitary arrange
meuts, drill, supplies, recreation and all
matters of personal comfort, are reported
as satisfactory. The cOlored troops are
said to be more faithful than the white;
that they are obedient, contented and well
Disciplined. The Secretary adds that 1t Is
a fact not to be denied, that the army, as
now organized, offers for the colored man
a career. while for the white man it is but
a refuge. He fayors warmly the utmost