Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-12-06
THE War DEPARTMENT.
First Annual Report of Secre-
tary Proctor.
His Suggestions for Increasing
the Army's Efficiency.

Secretary Proctors first annual report
shows that the estatimates for the War De
partment for the next fiscal year aggregate
$44, 157, 973. He approves the recommended
tions of Major-General Schofeld that the
artillery should be reorganized and two new
regiments added, SO as to improve our means
of coast defense. The liberalization forma-
ton for infantry is warmly advocated.
Secretary Proctor suggests that the retired
list should be expanded to embrace $50 Off
GERS instead of 400. As to assertions and the
remedy therefor, the report says:
The pith of the whole question Is to make
the service worth seeking, and then enough
good men will seek it and be glad to stay In
it. 1t is an instructive fact that the soldiers
in the colored regiments rarely desert,
whereas the percentage of deSertiOn In the
-est of the army is so large. Their previous
condition in civil life largely explains it. To
the colored man the service offers a
career; to the white man too often
only a refuge. There is now but little
incentive for young and intelligent men to
make profession of soldering. The hope
| of achieving a commission is but slight the
most deserving are made warrant officers
but even then they receive less compensation
than the private soldier who is placed upon
extra duty. The distance between the high
est grade OF non commissioned officer and
the commissioned officer is great, far too
great, in my judgment. 1t would be wis
dom to decrease that distance.
After repeating the recommendations al
ready published Of Generals SchOfeld, Miles,
Crook and others for improving the service
Secretary Proctor says:
The most perfect military instruction is
impossible with our depleted and skeleton
organization. 1t appears, however, that the
summer camps of the troops have added much
to the efficiency and thorOughne of their in
struction in large bodies. The service
schools at Forts Riley, Leavenworth and
Monroe are doing excellent work. a battalion
Of apprentices might be of assistance TO the
Army as to the Navy.
The needed improvements at West Point
are succinctly set forth, and the Secretary of
War declares that the course is too short I'M
less the standard of admission is raised
Concerning the National Guard he says:
The discipline and efficiency of the National
Guard is universally commended. 1t was
evidenced by their appearance at the Centen-
NAL Celebration in New York April 30 last
and the prOmptneSs and celebrity with which
their concentration effected. OF their
value as a reserve military force and an eS
sential element in any feasible scheme of
coast defenses [ treat elsewhere. AS an educs-
tlOnal Institution also it deserves encourage
ment and support.
Military instruction in colleges is reviewed
and approved, and the system will probably
be extended, with the prOviso that men in
the regular army ranks, or those from other
walks Of life, shall have O. chance to- obtain
commissions. In advocacy of adequate coast
defenses the Secretary says:
Although our position and the traditions
of our national diplomacy tend to the main
tenance of peace, a'defenseless condition will
ever invite attack. The actual value of the
property thus exposed to public enemy, al
though many times the cost of amply pro
tecting it, bears but little proportion to
the magnitude of the material
interests of the whole nation
equally endangered thereby. 1t is not
local question. Not only is the national
honor alike dear to all, but hostile shell in
the streets of New York strikes the prairies
as well-their corn and wheat shares in the
loss. Still the greater burden will fall upon
the States contiguous to the seaboard in the
Immediate maintenance of the militia re-
quired to man the defense in case of danger.
Secretary Proctor contends that every
vulnerable point of our coasts should as
speedily as possible be put into the best con-
dition of defense, and many suggestions are
made for increasing the comfort and efficien-
cY of the army