St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-11-21

OF SucH commanding Importance L1dt liz
made it the only subject of recommend
alton in his last report as general of the
army But important as it was at that
time. it is necessity now. for under
the new tactics required by the Increase
in range and rapidity of fire. teR-com-
pany battalion cannot be maneuveFeu.
from purely military standpoint tlIs'
organization of the artillery arm is IL
defective, but the number of lieutenanis
can be reduced without seriously en-
barrassing the efficiency of the Organize
ton. Promotion is slow during a fonS
peace ind ar the most favorable cOIrdl-
tons. and il respect to the first lieu
tenants of artillery it is so great thag
the officers are beyond the age of most
efficient service before they becomS
captains.
Indians as Regulars.
In March last general order was is
sued authorizing the enlistment of o.
company of Indians for each of the
twenty-six regiments of white cavalry
and infantry serving west OF the Missis-
sippi river. The primary object, fully
justifying the experiment, in my judg-
ment, was to give employment. in use
full and legitimate channels. 10 con-
siderable number of Indians of the war
like tribes, Incidentally it was hoped
that the habits of obedience. cleanliness
and punctuality. as we'll as of steady
labor in the performance of both mill
tary and industrial work tnculcated by
service i'll the army, would have a good
effect OH those who might enlist, and
also furnish an object lesson of some
value and exert healthy influence upon
others of their tribes.
1t was not deemed advisable to urge
Indians into the service hastily. and
special efforts have been made to i'll
form them of the responsibilities they
would incur and the duties that would
be required of them as soldiers. The
results have been very satisfactory.
Seven companies, three of cavalry and
four of infantry, have been recruited to
their full complement, and seven others
partially and in good conduct, drill
and military bearing, attention TO duty,
observance of courJeSleS and care OF
horses. arms and equipment, clothing,
barracks, mess rooms and kitchens, they
are at least equal 10 soldiers of other
races of no greater experience.
Nothing unfavOrable has been brought
to the attention of the department re-
garding the utility as military organize
tons OF the Indian companies OF either
arm, but 50 far there is every reason to
believe that much more than was eX-
| pected of the experiment will be real
lied. They are dressed the same, fed
! the same, taught to cook and eat their
| food In the same manner, and in every
respect they strive earnestly to equal.
and, if possible, Guido their white COM
radeS. all commands are gwen in
English, and, though few of them unde-
stand the language, they learn the
sound of their orders quickly, and make
| rapid progress in drill.
At the beginniug of this administra-
! ton there were licensed post traders at
most army posts. They were a priyi-
| legged class and had practically a mOnop-
| oily of the trade III sucn articles as were
| not furnished or sold by the quarter
master or cOmmissary. On the 4th OF
! March, 1889, there were eighty-nve Of
| these traders. There are now but
| TWENTY-FIVE, and at the end of the fiscal
year there will be only eleven remain
ing. The parties who held these prfyi-
] legeS had large personal and political
| influence, and it has not been an easy oT
pleasant task to make this change.
| These enterprises were, therefore, en-
titled to consideration and reasonable
time to close their business. But their
profits had been large, and l believe
that no injustice has been done them.
1t was a pernicious system. and neces-
sity was the only excuse for Its exist
/ ence. >F-s-
The Militia.
The present method of allotment OF
the annual appropriation of $500, 900 fol
arining and equioping the militia is not
such as TO produce the best results. The
aid given different states is very disprO
portiOnate. The amount of government
! aid received by some states is not more
than half that received by others that
maintain double the number of men in
their national guard. The allotment as
now made is not based upon what the
| states do in return for the appropriation,
but what they ought to do. 1t would be
better to help those who help them.
selves. If the appropriation, or even
| One-half of 1t. were distributed upon the
basis of the effective force of the national
guard maintained by the several states,
it would better accomplish its purpose
! of encouraging that organization.
By the detail of officers and troops t
the various annual encampment:
throughout the country, the war de
partment has rendered the national
guard of the several states such assist
ance as was in its power. The aSSOcia
ton of this force, necessarily the de
pendence of this country In any greaf
war, with the regular army is of great
advantage TO both organizations. lr
this and every other way possible the
federal government should cooperate
with the states in the maintenance anC
education of the national guard.
Secretary Proctor in concluding says
/ wish to pay a well-deserved tribute Il
the younger officers, who have not haC
the great war opportunities of theil
seniors. Nothing in my connection
with the army has surprised and graft
fed me so much as the general higl
character and professional attainment:
of the younger officers of the army, wbC
have made the most of their opportuni
ties under the conditions of compare
tive peace. 1t is upon them that W.
must depend in the future, and they
can be implicitly relied upon to bl
equal to the requirements of any emer
gency.