Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-08
RUNAWAYS CHECKED.
Desertions From the Army During
the Past Twelve Months We're
HUNDREDS LESS THAN LAST YEAR
New Punishment Laws Remove Discomfort
Caused by Unequal
SENTENCES FOB MILITARY OFFENSES

WASHINGTON, November 7.-Acting
Adjutant General Chauncey McKeever in his
annual report says that it gives him pleasure
to note that the desertious from the army
during the past year were 4S9 less in num-
Der than during the preceding year, and the
percentage, as compared with the enlisted
strength, was reduced from II to per cent.
The heaviest proportionate loss was in the
artillery, where it amounted to 11.6 per
cent, the infantry losing 9.3 per cent and
the calvary TT per cent.
Touching the effect of the legislation of
the present Congress upon the subject of
desertions, General McKeever says the date
OF this law (June q, 1S90,) is too recent to
justify reasonable correct anticipation of
its practical effect in checking desertion, for
statistics have shown in the past that the
greater number of desertions occurred
among men who had served less than two
years.
EQUAL PUNISHMENTS WANTED.
General McKeever commends the new law
relative to summary courts and limiting
court martial sentences, and says the adop-
tion of we'll considered code of punish
ments for all military offenses, except those
articles of war, will undoubtedly remove a
great source of irritation and discomfort re-
sulting from the present inequality of pun
ishment awarded offenseS of similar nature,
but committed at different times and at dit-
terent posts.
A detailed report is given of the progress
of the military schools, and stress is laid
upon the difficulties experienced in securing
competent teachers and full supply of text
books.
General McKeever says military school
teachers should have adequate rank and
compensation to give dignity to the position
and enforce the respect and attention to
pupils.
INTELLIGENT MEN ENLISTED.
Continuing, ne asserts if these conditions
existed, it is not doubted that graduates of
our normal schools (young men of intellec-
tual capacity and especially trained in cor
rect methods of teaching) could be enlisted
| to fill such positions, to the positive benefit
| of enlisted men and of the service.
| 1t is also recommended that school build
| ings and furniture be provided as rapidly as
| possible at posts not now possessing them.
Great progress is reported to have been
| made in the establishment of the canteen
| system. At present canteens are in success
| iul operation at 68 posts, and during the
six months ended June 80, 1890, transacted
| business OF S474, 625. with a resulting profit
of SS8, 43O, Gays General McKeever.
MISTAKES ABOUT THE CANTEEN.
Some misconcepton has grown up in the
| public mind in regard to these institutions ELL
| gendered, no doubt, by the general term used
| as a designation. AS conduced In the American
service the canteen is simply cooperative
| establishment, in which general business, un-
of,,I nfaA
| in the sole behalf of the enlisted men of the
| army. There can be question that it has
| contributed largely to the comfort and con-
| tentment of enlisted men, and thereby i'm
proved and strengthened discipline throughout
| the service.
Concerning the recruiting service, Gen
| eral Mckeever says the operations have
| been carried on In over 40 smaller cities and
towns, whence recruiting parties have been
sent into the surrounding rural districts to
obtain recruits from farming and other COM
munities away from the great centers of
population.
RURAL DISTRICTS CANvASSED.
In like manner special regimental re-
cruiting parties have been sent out into
about 80 different towns to conduct tenl-
porary rendezvous therein and freely can
vass the contiguous rural districts. The
class of men thus obtained is believed, from
| reports received, TO De consl1efaDly ABOVE
the general average, and during the present
fiscal year 1t is proposed to extend the plan
in order that its merits may be more fully
tested. In conclusion, General McKeever
| says:
| Of the 800 accepted recruits, 4052 were ma
tive born and e. 1888 of foreign birth; 5S75 were
| white and 5l5 colored. Seventeen thousand.
| five hundred siXty-three applicants for enlist
ment ;over 70 per centum of the whole number)
| were rejected by recruiting officers as lacking
| the necessary qualifications, either physical,
mental or moral.