The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-03
THE WAR DEPARTMENT,
An Abstract of Secretary Proctor's
Annual Report.

In his annual report the Secretary Of War
renews his recommendations in regard to
coast defenses. Under the Fortifcations act
of last session, he says, positions for forty
eight mortars in three groups of sixteen each
and for three of the new long-range guns
will be prepared in New York harbor; for
one group Of mortars and one gun in Boston
harbor, and for one group Of mortars and
two guns in San Francisco.
In the matter of armament fair and
promising beginning has been made. The
manufacture of the forgings for eight-inch,
ten.inch and twelve.inch breech-loading
guns by the Bethlehem Iron Works is pro:
ceeding satisfactorily and it is expected that
the contract will be completed by November,
1893. The sum appropriated will procure
about sixty-one guns. The art Of modern
gun-making is now we'll inaugurated in this
country.
Relative to our Northern frontier 'the
Secretary calls attention to the treaty with
Great Britain signed In 1917 which limits
armed vessels. Since that time our Western
country has become vast and populous
empire and the Canadian canals have been
enlarged until fifty British war vessels could
reach our large and defenseless lake cities.
The Board of Fortifcations has already re-
commended the construction Of an elaborate
system of defenses. This Secretary Proctor
thinks is not necessary. he agrees with
General Schofield that with land forces
properly disposed we could doubtless ward
off any danger from this source.
The number of desertions Is steadily de-
creasing, owing to improvements in the con-
dition Of the service. He recommends legis-
lation which will make it still more attrac-
tive particularly in the direction Of lessening
the great difference between the relative
rank and pay Of fnon-commissioned and COM
missioned officers and change in the sys-
tenn of promotions which will remove the
opportunity for favoritism and leave promo
tions open to competition. A bill embodying
the War Departments suggestions on the
latter point will be submitted to Congress.
During the year the licenses Of forty-two
post-traders have been revoked, and only two
new traders have been appointed, leaving
the total number at present thirty-four. In
the early history of the West, when military
posts were generally upon the extreme from
tier, post-traders were necessary. Now
towns and cities have grown up in the close
vicinity Of posts, and it is believed to be wise
policy to discontinue post-traders as rapidly
as possible.
Secretary Proctor is heartily in accord
with the efforts to increase the efficiency OF
closer relations with the War Department,
and recommends legislation toward that
end. He also recommends detail Of seven
ty-flve army officers to serve as military in
structors in agricultural colleges and other
educational institutions. Noaction has been
taken toward procuring the pedestals for
the statues Of Generals Sheridan and Logan
for the reason that the character and size OF
the statues Lave not been fixed upon by the
committees having the matter in charge:
There is no provision for statue of General
Hancock, and the Secretary suggests
that the law appropriating o,0cO for
the pedestal be amended so that any
balance not required for the pedestal may bs
applied toward the purchase of the statue:
A suitable PEDESTAL cen probably be procured
for about SIS, 900. He recommends an ap-
preparation to effect systematic e1plora-
ton and survey Of Alaska.
The estimates for the next fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1892, are as follows:
Salaries and contingent e1-
Military establishment; support
Of the Army and Military
Public works rks.............. 1O,709, 2s8 SO
Miscellaneous objects. -. :. 4,s05, ,22607
Total. .s43, 74s, ,9se. n