Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-11-26

Notifications have been procured, and en-
gineering work has been begun on batteries
for mortars, and emplacements for guns at
New York Boston. San Francisco, Hamp-
Ton Roads and Washingt ton. Tho north |
wing and center section Of the gun factory
at Waterviiet has been completed anG is
nearly equipped. A south wing, doubling
the capacity, is now being constructed
Provision has already been made for the
manufacture by the government OF W
breech- loading steel riAed guns Of high
power and 100 more have been contracted
for with private manufacturers. supply
of sub marine mines and 70 12-inch mortars
are also under construction.
For the Improvement of the enlisted force
new methods of recruiting have been adopt
cd. 1t is carried on more in small towns
aud rural communities, and the recruits are
held on probation and their antecedents
carefully inquired into The ration has
been increased by the a. ttlcn of one pound
of vegetables daily. Soldiers are now Gu
titled to a discharge al the end OF three
years of faithful service, ant are permitted
to purchase their discharge O any time after
one year. Summary courts have been estab-
lished for the speedy trial OF petty offences.
Ii the men desire 1t, competent officers are
assigned to defend them before courts mar
tial. Punishments under the articles of war
in time OF peace have been defined and lin
tied Sunday inspections and tattoo roll
call have been abolished; schools and gym
nasia established. These, together with the
specific measures undertaken for that pur-
pose, have reduced the percentage of deser-
tons to lower point than ever before in
the history Of the army, and in the last year
have reduced the number of inmates in our
military prisons over 20 per cent
A system Of examination of officers for
promotion has been established and their
promotion, with the exception OF one grade,
has been put upon a lineal basis Throughout
the army. The retired list has been re-
leved by appropriate legislation. An etii-
cheney record of officers has been kept en-
abling their selection for special duty to be
made on that basis.
IN pursuance OF policy OF concentrating
the troops in larger posts, about one-fourth
OF The number OF posts occupied in 1889
have boon nband oped, and tie reservations
turned over t. tie interior department. The
employment Of contract surgeons in adii-
ton to tie regular medical CORPS has been
yearly dispensed with.
The licenses OF most post tra'lers have
been revoked rho enlistment of Indians
has been succe5-luli undertaken. The de-
tell OF officers to colleges has Bonn Increased
and new .'uics adopted. he rebellion rec
or>ls have becu published much more rapidly
under increased appropriations aud a reor
gal.lIat !pn OF tue work. Tho military aud
hospital records Of tho late war have been
brought t. ,etncr III tbc record and pension
division, ia settcment Of pension cIainas
has Leon cXpeLltot, and the preservation Of
sl ,., .,,,I,;, W,,,a,' e,,I.ha,I
cN -,
So
~
S""N' Il ''"c'.
The problem oI adequate coast defence
has practically been settled. Fortunately
1t il - no. becn = question 81 party politics.
Gu const cite. watch IN 1850 were well
Pre-. -ctei, iu $50 were defencc.ess,
Tine reports oil ii committee sppointed in
loNJ, board appointed IN 1883, and con
sheraton OK the subject bH SeuaJe and
House committees have afforded the bases
OF lrG'Siatlon and appropriations of Congress
which nave inuugurated our present definite
policy III respect to coast deiences.
Tins policy necessarily contemplates a
system OF land ueiences as its most impCrU-
ant feature.
Two appropriations of 5000, coo each FOR
the purcI, 20 OF sites tor Notifications aud
sea coast Urencts were made ny the last
Congress. over one half OF the entire ap-
preparation mas been allotted and about
$500, O0U expended. l recommend that an
approprlat on OF 500, go De continued an
nual!y until the important sites are secured
At its last session Congress made an APP
preparation for the addition OF the south
wing to the new gun factory at Watervliet
and for the substantial completion of that
plant.
Certain provisions in the last two FORTH
cation acts We're designed to induce private
manufacturers III this coun try to cooper
ate with the government in fabricating guns
as we'll as in suppi} ing tho steel forgings
1hIeiesIius st"t''Vc' are mere gwen
iesa'uIns 'n0 'ii"'' uiaoVuie Vi eu ~,
noi ."'' Gnu '"iiue ni'heS' In0
p coz Iva co,.ri.d on r',otinaIlv a nI
id,nosi 10 .ton or cboor. t,a 49,
1no,Id ha r. loco ,,i,,oh +ha+ No., haon da1,..
w ao,t'nu. vii, ho hott, 800 LOS nh o ooar
49,,
Gooa nrogr.ss b,s hoo, ro.do :, +,o ,,o
d.,ot,o r. ;1r,,ro1oJ niea ,.-at eu - sno p
Iaras nnn,hor Of field ems r,or,ars huoooh