Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-11-17
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR


The report of the Secretary of War tc
the President emphasizes the oft-made
suggestion that our coast land defenses are
inadequate. Our long coast line is pc
culiarly exposed to attack, enabling g
naval force to effect damage at points
where it cannot be met by our land forces.
He declares that land batteries constitute
permanent defenses, and place ships at a
decided disadvantage. The vessels must
select channels in which they can move
with freedom, and at just such points we
should have battery systems that would
expose ships to resistless cross-fre. These
land batteries cannot be blown up; they
will support any weight imposed upon
them, and can be protected by earth-works
completely against any possible assault by
naval artillery. They enable accurate aim
to be taken, because the foundations of the
guns are firm and practically immovable
The Secretary therefore recommends re-
turn to this system of defense, which was
in vogue prior to the civil war and was
equal to the defense of the coast harbors
against the assaults of the naval artillery
of that period. The Secretary points out
that these defenses are economic, because
they constitute insurance against loss tc
commerce in case of war. In other words
while I'VE might afford to neglect the
means of offense, We cannot neglect the
agencies of defense" In all which public
opinion will concur.
The Secretary recommends modifca-
ton of the law so that promotions to the
rank Of Second Lieutenant may be made
from the ranks on plan of merit, and not
at the discretion of the company COM
mander, as is now provided. Under the
system now in vogue the promotion de-
ponds wholly upon the personal choice o.
the Captain, it may, therefore, be the re-
suit of friendship, special favor, and
elevate young men who enlist with
the understanding that they will be ad
yanced, possibly over the heads of thost
whose meritorious service entities them t
be first considered. The Secretary wisely
advises a competitive system so that the
ability, fitness and general capacity of the
men may be determined upon a plan o
credits that will make the promotion abso,
lutely impersonal, and impress the mer
with the fact that elevation is open to al
and upon perfectly fair and equal groundI
to all.
The Secretary warmly advises an in
crease in the sum appropriated by tn,
Federal Government in aid of the organ
lied militia At present there is giver
by it but 100000 for this purpose, while
the States add S2,OO0,0OO.: If the Genera
Government would increase its aid, he il
satisfied that the effect would be to slim
ulate the States to larger appropriations t.
perfect the militia organizations. In thi.
view OF the case the Secretary is unques
tionably correct. The conservation Of the
National Guard is not what it should be
A well-disciplined militia force is The
chief arm of defense of free people. The
very fact that it is well-disciplined, efec
lively armed and ready in moment to fly
to the defense of the nation, constitutes q
powerful peace motive and largely hold:
in check any disposition to revolt against
the laws in large cities, and in districts
where the arm of civil authority is weak