The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-09-07

Of these desertions 95 per cent occurred
among men serving their first and second
year of enlistment.
In May last Maj. Theo. Schwan. assistant
Acknowledgement, under instructions of
Secretary Proctor. made a tour of inspec-
tion of the recruiting depots at David's
Island. N. Y, Columbus. o.. and Jefferson
Barracks. Mo. The Major is himself sol
dier who came up from the ranks, and his
report to the Adjutant-general contains
numerous suggestions. including the draft
of bill prepared by him last winter. after
close study of the situation, calculated,
in his opinion, to lessen the evil of deser-
tion. Major Schwan says:
Whatever causes of discomfort may at one
time have existed, such as lack OF provision, Or
care for the physical comfort and needs OF the
and unfair or harsh treatment of him. have
been removed so far as ii is in the power of the
military authorities TO do so. and the cases are
rare where failure OF the government 10 make
good its obligations can be truthfully alleged as
affording even semblance OF Justification for
desertion.
In this connection it may be stated that
Secretary Proctor has prepared statement
of the number of desertions from Jefferson
Barracks, Missouri. showing that in the
past three years they have been, respec-
lively, 25e, 244 and $50. remarkably even
record.
One feature of the bill proposed by Major
Schwan gives to all peace officers federal
and State. authority to arrest deserters
upon their own responsibility and without
warrant ormilitary order. Additional safe
guards against the readmission to the serv-
ice of ''repeaters," or professional desert
ers. and to their Identification after snch
readmissOn, are about to be adopted under
instructions already given by the War De-
partment. Another provision of the bill Is
that one-third of the soldiers pay for the
first year shall be retained until his dis
charge, and forfeited if he does not serve
out his term. Men discharged before their
term expires, at their own request are not
to receive travel pay: 1t also provides for
mitting enlisted men to purchase their dis
charges.
Acting Acknowledgement McKeever and
other officers of the staff have. at Secre-
tary Proctors request. submitted men,
oranda on the subject of desertions. which
he has now under consideration. One of
these fixes the sum to be required for the
purchase of u discharge at $50. The use of
large dormitories in barracks, instead of
what the army regulations contemplate,
squad room for from six to ten men, is
given as the cause of much discontent
among the men. Acting Adjutant- general
McKeeyer says, In his opinion, the chief
causes of desertions are:
1. Disappointment at the realities OF military
2. The employment of the soldier on laborious
s. Inequality of punishment as inflicted by
courts martial.
4. Bad company administration.
o. Sometimes tyrannioal conduct toward en-
listed men by officers, and more especially first
sergeants.
g. Above all, the too often unnecessary re-
straints imposed on the soldier
He also believes that the largest number
of deserters are American born. The fol-
lowing remedial measures are suggested:
/. Limit the term Of service in the first en-
listment to three years, re-enlistment 10 five
years.
2. Grant discharges on payment OF certain
sums, graded according TO length OF service
3. Discharge men found to be incOrrigibly bad
without character, and thus bar their re-entry
into the service.
a. SECURE a graded mode of punishment for
the guidance of courts martial.
5. Secure a better class OF noncommissioned
officers, and especially first sergeants, by increas-
ing their pay.
g. Make the arrest and punishment of de-
serters more certain than ut present by increas-
ing the reward for their apprehension and de-
livery from $50 to 800.
Secretary Proctor's report will doubtless
contain Recommendations along the general
line laid down in the suggestions above set
forth. He is earnestly desirous of remov-
ing the cause of the reproach that can now
be made against the army on account of de-
sertions.