Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-12-18
WAR DEPARTMENT..
Indian Enlistment ss--Gratifying
Decrease in Desertions.


The report of the secretary of war ex-
hibits the results of an intelligent, pro-
gressive and business-like administration
of department which has been
too much regarded as one of mere routine.
The separation of Secretary Proctor from
the department, by reason of his appoint
ment as senator from the state of Ver-
mont, is a source of great regret to me, and
to his colleagues. and am sure it will be
to all those who have had had business
with the department while under his
charge.
In the administration of army affairs,
some especially good work has been ac-
complished. The efforts of the secretary
to reduce the percentage of assertions by
removing the causes that promoted it have
been so successful as to enable him to re-
port for the last year d lower percentage
of assertions than has before been reached
in the history of the army. The result in
money saving is considerable. but the i'm
provement in the morals of the enlisted
men is the most valuable incident of the
reforms which have brought about this
result.
Shore Battery Sites.
The work of securing sites for shore
batteries for harbor defenses, and the
manufacture of guns, etc, of high power
to equip them, has made good progress
during the year. The preliminary work
of tests and plans, which so long delayed
a start, is now on the way. Some guns
have been completed and with an enlarged
shop and a more complete equipment at
Waterviiet, the army will soon be abreast
of the navy i'll gun construction. What
ever unavoidable causes OF delay may
arise there should be none from delayed
or insufficient appropriation. We shall be
greatly embarrassed in the proper distribu-
ton and use of naval vessels until ade-
quate shore defences are provided for our
harbors.
concur in the recommendation of the
secretary that the three-battalion organ
ization be adopted for the infantry.
The adoption of a snokeless powder
and OF q modern rifle equal i'll range, pre-
cision and rapidity of fire to the best
known use will, hope not be longer de-
layed
Indian Enlistment
The project of enlisting Indians and or
ganizing them into separate companies
upon the same basis as other soldiers was
made the subject of Il very careful study
by the secretary and received my APP
prevail. Seven companies have been or
yanized and seven more are in process of
organization. The result of six months
training have more than realized the high
est anticipatons. The men are readily
brought under discipline, acquire
the drill. with facility and show great
pride in the right discharge of their
duty ana peffect loyalty TO thelr omcefsr
who declare they would take them into
action with confidence. The discipline,
order and cleanliness Of the military posts
will have IA wholesome and elevating in
fluence upon the men enlisted, and
through them upon their tribes, while the
more friendly feeling for the whites and
n greater respect for the government will
certainly be prompted. ..,..ss 7,s.=,,
The great work done in the record and
pension division OF the war department by
,, Major Ainsworth, the medical corps and
the clerks under him, is entitled to, honor
able mention. Taking up the work with
nearly II 900 cases behind, he closed the
last fiscal year without a single case left
over, though the new cases had increased
50 per cent in number over the previous
year by reason of the pension legislation,
of the last cOurreSS.