Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-12-03
Secretary Proctor's Report.

l
The War Department of the government
has attracted more attention since Secre-
tary Proctor came into charge of it than
at any time previously since the war. His
reports are brief, but they cover the ground
Of improvement and changes that are of
much public interest. He has just sent
out what will probably be his last annual
report, as he retires from the cabinet In
this report we are told about some things
that have been done the past year to inn
prove this arm of the service. Among 9TH
er things line OF coast defence has been
decided upon and selection of sites has
been made upon which to erect fortifica-
tions. Work has been begun at New York
Boston, San Francisco, Hampton Roads
and Washington. The last Congress made
an appropriation OF half million dollars
each for these sites. Over half the appro
priation has been allotted and the secreta-
ry recommends further appropriations
and allotments. Additions are being made
to the Watervliet gun factory and the ma
tional government in addition to operat-
ing its own works has made contracts with
private firms for the manufacture of rified
guns. A large contract has been made
with the Bethlehem, Pa, company for the
manufacture of heavy guns. Batteries are
being put in readiness for the sites where
fortifications are to be erected. The gov
ernment is carrying on business at those
points where the need is most apparent.
Desertions from the army are much less
frequent than formerly. The percentage
has been reduced nearly one-half since
Mr.. Proctor's accession to Office and the
diminution is still going on. The method
of accomplishing this has been by care in
recruiting, placing some credit to worth,
and giving promise Of promotion from
the ranks. He thinks the rate can be re-
daoed to at least per cent. which might |
be counted as the lowest point that could /
be reached. The effort has been made to
secure recruits from the country rather
than from the cities. The cutting down
OF desertions is the outcome OF securing
better class of recruits.
The report goes into details in the mat
ter OF enlisting Indians. In March last
general order was issued authorizing the
enlistment of one company of Indians for
each of the twenty-six regiments OF white
cavalry and infantry serving west of the
Mississippi River. AS the result Of this
seven companies have been recruited, four
of infantry and three of cavalry to their
full complement, and seven others partial
ly. The result has been very satisfactory.
The Indians have proved themselves quiet
and ant. mindful of their own business,
careful in the care of equipments and as
near model soldiers as can be furnished by
any nationality not excepting the natives.
The change through which they pass IN
fitting and entering the service makes
deep impression upon them and cannot
fail to have wholesome effect upon all
the tribes from which recruits are taken.
Much importance is attached to the selec-
lion OF officers for the training OF these
Indians. Results show that the sseheme
,f the secretary is a good one and that ev-
srvthing isworking in the right direction
Tor the service.
Twenty-eight OF the smaller army posts
have l,een abandoned since 1889, and ten I
n twelve more it is thought might be- He
believes in fewer posts and more men st
post. In the present facilities for hand
ing troops, this is economy as well as u
,n;tv. The number Of contract surgeons
,as also been largely reduced and there is
40 reason why il should not be reduced
till more in the interests Of economy
some other matters have received atten-
ion which we have not space to notice.
4 would be worth the while for any one
> lit down and read it through and note
Is contents.