The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-11-25

harbor improvements......-. 1858, 624.OO
Miscellaneous objects-.-.-------- Ais. 1922
$50, 9s9, 300 10
The large difference between the appro-
priations for the present AND the last year
is mainly due to the reduction in the appro-
priation for public works, including river
and harbor improvements. The estimates
of the department for the next fiscal year.,
ending June 80. 1891. are:
Salaries and contingent expenses. So, O13, $4,000
Military establishment: supporter
the army and Military Academy 25,4O3 1855
Miscellaneons objects 55'55i'oao35
Total. 44,157 ,973.95
Secretary Proctor concurs in the recon-
mendations of ~Major-general Schofield in
regard to the reorganization of the artillery
branch of the army, making seven regi-
ments instead of five. He believes the
army ought to be increased as the population
Of the country increases. In 1870, with an
enlisted strength of not quite ten thousand
larger than now, the ratio of enlisted men
to population was one-eleventh of / per
cent, or one man out of 1,1O5; in 1850. with
the enlisted strength one thousand less
than 1t is now, one-twentieth of ! per cent.
At the present time, with a population of
sixty-fve millions, it is thirty-nine one
th~ousandths, OF less than One-twenty-fifth
of l per cent. being one man for every 1850
of population. The authorized strength of
the army is now $4,000. but only 5000 is ap-
propriated for. On the full basis of $4,000,
its relative strength to population would
still be considerably less than in 1880, and
one-half what 1t was In 1870. The Secre-
tary also urges the formation of the in
fantry into three battalions.
In regard to promotions Mr.. Proctor says:
General Schofeld is of opinion, in which
many of the leading officers of the army
agree. that all promotions up to the grade
of colonel should be by arm of the service,
missioned in the arm of the service to
which they belong, and not in particular
regiments, so that they may be assigned to
regiments and transferred. from one regi-
ment to another by the President as the
interests of the service may require l call
attention to these views without recon-
mendation. although they seem to me to
have much to commend them.
The Secretary calls attention to the fact
that there are now fOrty-eight officers of
the army who Shave been found incapaci-
tated for active service and recommended
for retirement, waiting to be placed upon
the retired list. which can not be done. as
the list is full. The average number so
waiting retirement during the last six years
is thirty-seven. and during the past two
years it has been increasing The result is
that these incapacitated officers continue
to draw full pay while rendering no service
whatever for the government, and ''otber
officers who are doing the duty of these in
capacitated officers are kept out Of their
promotions and out of the pay
they should receive for the duties
which the incapacitated officer has no
claim. and a great injustice to all Off GERS
In active service whose promotion is re-
tarded thereby. Although in some corps
ment is powerless to fill the places of those
thus incapacitated. Mr.. Proctor says that
although the Acknowledgement recommends
all restrictions be removed as to the num-
Der of retirements, he 1.-THE Secretary does
not think SO radical a change is necessary.
but believes the limit should be extended
to $50. or that an act be passed authorizing
the special retirement of not to exceed
fifty officers.
Under the head of "desertions.n the Sec
rotary says that although the impression
prevails they are increasing, this is not en-
tlrely correct. Three-fOurths of the deser-
tlons last year ~ per cent occur during
the first year of enlistment, so that the per-
centage of assertions to enlIstIpents is the
more correct guide than the percentage to
the total strength. In 1888, when 9. 99S men
enlisted, 3,57S deserted out of a total of
1885 enlisted men in the army. making the
pCl III VI 0CSCi tAOno W ~ StItuRI
of the army, 1873, and to enlistments, 39.7
In comparison with this is the year 1889.
when $3.50 men enlisted, and 2,S14 deserted,
out of a total army strength of ALTO, max
enlisted men. 11.6. and to enlistmenrs, 29.3.
In regard to the causes assigned, Mr.. Proc
tor says:
They are too numerous 20 recapitulate. Rest
| lessness under the restraints Of discipline, dis
its lack of Inducements dissipation, and, in some
cases, Ill treatment, are generally the causes
| found to exist, while some d~eserters undoubted-
ly are professional repeaters and belong to the
vicious or criminal classes. Investigation does
not disclose that ill-treatment prevails to any
| appreciable extent. That 1t has existed in some
degree, and especially ut the beginning of the
service in recruiting barracks, is a fact; but il
has been the exception. Hl-considered and
The employment OF enlisted men In or
binary labor undoubtedly creates discomfort;
but the Encouragement commanding well says in
his report. the government cannot employ hired
laborers to do the work which the troops have
time to do for themselves. This element of the
should be made fully acquainted with its exist
ence., Unnecessary restraint should be removed
and the soldiers life in the post made as com.
Portable and pleasant as possible. The company
is a natural unit of military Organization, and in
our present service oftentimes the only possible
one, Every captain should be to his company
as q father. and should treat 1t as his family. as
I his children" A check roll-call has recently
been substituted for tattoo, SO that men are no
storm. 1t is believed that the establishment OF
c~anteens, which will soon, to g great extent.take
the place OF the posttrader's store. will be
%salutary.
The pith OF the whole question Is 10 make the
service worth seeking. and then enough good
meB Will seek IL and be glad 10 stay in it. 1t is
| an instructive fact that the soldiers in the col
ored regiments rarely desert, whereas the per-
centage of desertion In the rest of the army is SO
| large. Their previous condition in civil life
largely explains 1t. To the colored man the
service offers a career; to the white man too
often only n refuge. There is now but little I'm.
centive for young and Intelligent men TO make
a profession OF soldering. The hope OF
achieving q commission Is but slight The
most deserving are made warrant officers,
but even then they receive less compensation
duty. The distance between the highest grade
of non-commissioned officer and the commits
stoned officer Is great. far too great I'm INV nudge
mtnt. 1t would be wisdom Ia decrease that dis
lance. In so far as the question Is an admins.
/ trative one. the department must continue 10
meet IL experimentally, correcting abuses where
found 10 exist. and instituting innovations ii
necessary. IL Is but just for me to say that the
commissioned officers are in earnest in their de
sire 10 correct this evil. and are giving TO its so
luton their hearty efforts.
The Secretary recommends that the nav
of non commissioned officers be raised. that
post schools be established. with officers rs
instructors. IN which the soldier NAV be
given lessons not only in military matters
but in general branches of knowledge: that
re-enlistments be authorized for one q,
more years where a soldier is discharged
that a less arbitrary code of punishment bt
adopted; that the term of first enlistment