Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-21

was then begun on the muster rolls and nil
ltary records of all soldiers. not only in the war
OF the rebellion. bur also in the MEXICAN war
and the Florida and other Indian wars. Work
was first begun on the rolls of the New York
troops. which were the most difficult ON ac-
count of the large number of different organ
izations. 1t required eleven months to COM
plete them. As this work progresses. however.
the labor of searching IN diminished and the
current business of the division can be man.
aged by fewer clerks. leaving a larger force for
the permanent work Of the preservation Of the
records. 1t is expected that by the LIST of De-
cember next there viii remain to be tram
scribed only the rolls of the eight following
states: Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts,, Mich
igan. New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wis
consin.
These records were rapidly going to destruc-
ton, although for generations they will be IN
dispensable fer the transaction of the public
business 1 have already spoken in my previous
reports of the necessity of their preservation
and of the excellence of the card-index system.
not only .or the accomplishment of that pur-
pose. but also for the most economical and ex-
peditious use of the information they contain
At the present rate Of progress this work can
be completed within the next year and n half
or early in 1898. at which time this department
can dispense with the services of about 800 of
It's present clerks, at - saving to the govern
ment IN salaries, rent and otherwise % at least
$1,000. 900 yearly.
These clerks, who have been faithful to their
work and whose efficiency has been proved. are
entitled TO consideration, and trust some pro-
VISION may be made for their transfer to other
departments of the governmental service in
stead or making new appointments in those
departments.
An APPRENTICE BATTALION.
The secetary mentions a comparatively new
matter, viz: The formation Of apprentice
BATTALION, TO be composed of boys from sixteen
to eighteen years Of age. has often been recon-
mended by prominent officers of the army. and
the question Of its organization under the pres
ent law has been considered. The purpose
of the plan. however. would be better accom-
plished by the md of some legislation.
1t has been suggested that this battalion be
composed of a superior class of lads. one to be
selected from each congressional district, and
that the7 be given good English education
and military and manual training. so as to fit
them for either civil life or military service.
am not prepared to give the measure un-
qualified recommendation. but il is favored by
so mary officers of ability and experience that
1t lie entitled to consideration
MILITIA.
The present method of allotment of the an
nual appropriation of S400. 900 for arming and
equipping the militia, which is prescribed by
tie act of February II, 1887 CA Stats, 401), and
which gives to each state an amount proper
lCnate 10 it5 congressional representation. ls
not such as to produce the best results The
aid given different states is very disproportion-
ate. The amount of government aid received
by some states Is not more than half that re-
ceived by others that maintain double the num-
Der of men in their National Guard.
There is no inducements for the maintenance
of a greater number of militia than is actually
required by the law, but rather the reverse il
economy be consulted The allotment az now
made is not based upon what the states do in
return for the appropriation, but what they
ought to do. It would be better to help those
who help themselves. If the appropriation, or
even one-half of it, was distributed upon the
basis OF the effective force of the National
Guard maintained by the several states 1t
would better accomplish its purpose of en-
couraging that organization.
By the detail of officers and troops to the
various annual encampments throughout the
country the War Department has rendered the
National Guard of the several states such as
sistance as was i'll its power. The association
OF this force, necessarily the main dependence
OF the countryin any great war, with the regular
army is of great advantage to both organiza-
tons. In this and every other way possible
the federal government should cooperate with
the states in the maintenance and education of
the National Guard.
ESTIMATES AND ExPENDTTUREs.
The estimates for the fiscal year ending June
50, 1893, are:
Salaries and contingent expenses s., 0S6 178 90
Military establishments: Support
of the army and Military Acad-
envy. II, 299, 17OW
fuDnc works. ................... 13,20S, $500
Miscellaneous objects. ........... 4,3S1. 1861 go
Total. S45, 975, 6O3 81
The expenditures for the year ended June 30,
1891, were S51. 45O, 764.6S and the appropria-
lions for the present year aggregate $50, 1884,
425.O5. The main difference lies in the amounts
spent appropriated for public works.
The SIOUX CAMPAIGN.
In conclusion the Secretary remarks: Iwould
call your special attention to the full account,
in the report of Gen. Schofeld, of the opera
tions of the army last winter during the trou-
bles with the Sioux Indians. This campaign,
which was made in midwinter in severe eli
mate, was conducted in q manner deserving
commentator.
The character and attainments of the older
officers of the army, who made their records
during the greet war, is too well understood to
require any mention, but I wish to pay
well-deserved tribute to the younger officers,
who have not had the great war opportunities
OF their seniors. Nothing in my connection
with the army has gratIfied me SO much az the
general high character and professional attain
ments OF the younger officers of the army, who
have made the most of their opportunities I'M
der the conditions of comparative peace. It ia
upon them that we must depend in the future
and they can be implicitly relied upon to be
equal to the requirements of any emergency.
As am about to retire from this depart
ment desire to acknowledge the earnest and
loyal cooperation which have at all times re-
ceived in its administration from all of its Off
GERS and officials and the encouragement and
support which L have ever had from you.