Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-11-17

centrRte its troops AT larger posts as rap
idly as tns requirements of the service
would permit hss been carried out during
the year, and sixteen posts have been
given up ard the reservations turned
over 10 tho department of the interior,
III order that they might be taken up by
tho poopic for private use. This has only
been Ghne, however, where it was felt
tia: tee D-rssnce of tire troops in those
particular iooslities was no longer neces-
sarJ, AGd that thel" maintenance there
Taj making needless extra expense.
POST TRADERS.
During the year the licenses OF forty
,wo post traders have been revoked, and
OILS two new traders have been ap-
pointed, leaving the total number OF
Traders st present in the service thirty
four. Ia the earlier history Of the West
when military posts were generally upon
the extreme frontier, some such system
es that Of post traders was necessary.
Since then towns and cities have gen.
orally grown up IN the close vicinity OF
posts, and which have merchants who
can now FURNISH to the garrison such
stores Is post trader has usually kept.
u is believed 20 be wise policy TO discon-
time as rapidly as possible o privl-
legged class, and permit the trade OF
military posts outside of regular govern
mental supplies TO take its regular cham
Lels.
NATIONAL GUARD.
Pciug IMPRESSED with the importance
Of ~ effective militia as prominent and
necessary factor in any military organi-
aatou suited to our country, the de-
varfmeut has enGeavored by its cooper
alton 10 encourage and aIi the national
guard So far as possible under existing
law Officers have been detailed 20 assist
ia tArir instruction, and detuchmentS OF
rpgular troops have been ordered 10 par
urIpate in some of the larger state en-
campmeuts. The department has en-
drgvprrd 10 Cooperate more especially
with those states which have manifested
the most interest in the matter by their
own liberal appropriations and earnest
Efforts. The results have been very sat-
i>lnrtory. Its direct benefits are palpa-
bile, and its direct influence perhaps even
more important.
Any money which the national gov
eminent expeuds for our citizen sodierY
goes to help these who help themselves,
aud is bound to give proportionutely
large returns. Under the present law
there is annually appropriated for the
benefit OF the militia S4yO 900, while the
individual states appropriate in the az
ETeguis, so Jar as known, over s. 600,
ug', and IN many states the militia re-
CeIve considerable support from local
ami private sources. II the RpprOprIG-
ton Of the general government should be
increased, and 1 wish il might be, be-
lieve that it would be generously met by
Il corresponding iucrease by the states
themselves. ! heartily commend every
intelligent effort to increase the efficiency
Of tbs national guard, and to bring them
into closer relations with the war de-
partmeut, and hope that measures 10
that end may receive favorable cOnsid-
GRAFTON of congress. one Of th9 most
useful directions which can be given to
the drill and training of the militia of
the seabonrd states is in connection with
coast defenses, where its services are
most likely 10 be needed, if at all. In
that particular training the general gov
eminent must do more than cooperate;
il mus; take the initiative.
COLLEGES.
To secure better cooperation between
tho war department and the agricultural |
colleges, and other Institutions ut which |
officers are serving as instructors under |
the act OF congress authorizing such de- |
lhis n NlFtNlhE WAS lsSutu III i tui uhly
last nfier iull consultation with and ap- |
IroyaI of committee of college presi |
dents, defining the relations of these OFF, |
Gers 10 the Institutions. 1t is believed |
that this action will secure greater u nj |
formjtv aud efficiency.
There are applications from leading in !
stitutous for more officers than can be |
detailed under the law; and l would |
recommend that the act be so amended |
AS 10 allow the detail of seventy-lve |
uiIcers from the army, or at least one |
for every million of inhabitants Mt the !
lus. preceding census. This would allow
for future increase il necessary.
EELIEF OF SUFFERERS FROM THE OVER
HOW or TIE MISSISSIPPI.
Congress. by joint resolution Of April |
-, 1890, appropriated $50 200 10 be ex-
pended by AMI under the direction OF the
secretary - war for the purchase and
distributior of subsistence stores 20 sucn
destitute persons As might require as
sisiauce in tine district overlooked ny the
Mississippi river aud its tributaries.
Stores were distributed Hereunder, as
follows: /