The record-union., 1891-11-21

cept in case of such non-cpnlmissioned
officers as have attained special pro-
fciency. Of this policy we have grave
doubts and shall advance them later.
The Secretary advances his reasons for
his advice when he says:
1t is better that the soldiers service should
be an incident, and not the business of his
LIE. If retained too long in the army he can
not succeed out of ii, and so may end his days
IN the Soldiers Home, instead of in home of
training men for the possible contingency OF
war, should not unfit them for the certain du-
ties OF peace. But the age limit can not be
further reduced unless greater inducenent is
offered TO a good class OF young men TO enlist.
This should be done by @ reasonable increase
IN the pay OF non-commissioned officers.
He favors perfect freedom to rise from
the ranks, and asks Congress to repeal
the law making Captains recommends
ton necessary. He favors strongly the
"three-battalion organization" for the in
fantry. The single battalion system he
pronounces absolutely vicious, and more
and more useless as improvement in
arms advances. The pay corps should be
reduced, so many Paymasters being now
unnecessary, since SO many posts have
been abandoned; besides, where the
troops are few at a post, they can be paid
by check or money order more cconomi-
cally than by sending Paymaster 1850
or 1000 miles to pay off fifty men.
A considerable part of this report is de-
voted to the experiment of enlisting In
dians as regular soldiers. In brief, it has
proved to be successful in high degree,
and not only to give US good plains and
border troops, but to exercise a civilizing
influence upon the tribes. and is cheap,
and the best insurance against further In
dian troubles. The Secretary reports a
gratifying fact-that those monopolists
and tyrants, post traders, have been re-
duced from eighty-fve to twenty-five,
and seven of the latter have been notified
that their licenses will be speedily re-
voked. He says that because of the po-
litical influence exercised by the traders,
the task of their reduction has been
The Secretary gives a full history of the
new Record and Pension Division of the
department., and the success attained in
preserving records of invaluable charac-
ter that were rapidly going to destruction.
The work will be completed within a
year and half. He advises that the
y,,iIitorry racOrdC Of tho ,.o,,ol,,+;o,, I>o al
lected and prepared for preservation. Of
the rebellion records and their preserva-
ton he gives an account of the work done
and that remaining to be accomplished.
Mr.. Proctor would have record in
formation made of the relative capacity,
habits and professional attainments of
each officer of the army, that the War De-
partment may thoroughly and well
know all its officers. In the appoint
ment of Lieutenants from civilian ranks
thoroughness and high capacity have
been the rules, ten men taken from the
National Guard, and thirteen from men
who received military instruction under
army officers at colleges. He treats the
formation of an apprentice battalion of
boys from 16 to is years of age, and is
neither opposed to nor does he advise the
plan, and deems it worthy the attention
OF Congress.
Regarding the militia, he urges more
liberal treatment by the General Govern
ment The aid now given different States
is very disproportionate. He would
have the money aid distributed upon the
plan of aiding those who help themselves
and endeavor to maintain an effective
force.
The Chickamauga and Chattanooga
National Park is under good manage
ment, and the work of securing the lands
is making good progress. Concerning
the national homes for disabled volun-
teer soldiers, the Secretary regards his
duties as merely ministerial. The War
Department has not these homes under
its supervision, though the general pub
lie entertain belief to the contrary.
The report is one of the most straight
forward and clearly stated public docu-
ments that has fallen under our notice in
recent years. It sets forth the condition
of the army and the War Department in
such a manner that the commonest un-
derstanding can comprehend the facts,
the suggestions and the arguments ad-
Yanced in their support.