The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-12-10

bonds, has been Il large increase OF the
money in circulation. At tho date last
named tho circulation was $l,40i, 20j,.
500, or SD OF per capita: whilo on the
lst day OF December, 1891, II had in.
creased TO $l,07T,2G2, 90, or SCI 3S per
capita. The oilor OF tho secretary OF
the treasury to the holders OF tho a per
cent bonds to extend the time OF re.
dcmption at tho option OF the govern
mcnt, Mt an interest OF . per cent, was
accepted by the holders Of about one.
half tho amount, and the unextcnded
bonds are being redeemed on prescnta-
ton.
IMPROVED CONDITION OF THE Army.
The report OF the secretary OF wal cx-
hibjts tho result OF IN intelligent, pro.
Grcssive and businesslike administra.
ton OF n department which has been
100 much regarded as II OF nero rou.
tine. Tho separation OF Secretary
Proctor from the department by reason
OF his appointment rs Il senator from
the state OF Vermont Is q source OF great
regret to me and his colleagues III tho
cabinet, as | am sure IL will DO 10 all
thOgc who lave had business with tho
department while under his charge. In
tho administration OF army affairs some
especially good work has been accom-
plishcd. The efforts OF tho secretary to
reduce the percentage OF dcScrtions by
removing tho causes that promoted it
have been 30 successful as TO enable
him TO report for the last year q lower
percentage OF dcsertion than has been
reached i'll tho history OF tho army.
Tho resulting money saving is consider
able, but tho improvement in the
morale oil tho enlisted men is tho most
valuable incident OF the reforms which
have brought about this result.
HARBoR DEFENSE.
The work OF securing sites for shore
batteries for harbor defense, and tho
manufacture Ui mortars and guns OF
high power 10 equip them, has made
good progress during tho year. The
preliminary work OF tests and plans,
which so long delayed u start, is now
out OF the way. Some guns have been
completed, and with an enlarged shop
and n moro complete equipment at
Watcrveliet the army will soon DO
abreast oil tho navy in gun construction.
Whatever unavoidable causes OF delay
may arise, there should be mono from
delayed or insufficient appropriations.
WcsIA!! be greatly embarrassed in the
proper distribution and Use OF naval
vessels until adequate shore deicnscs
are provided for our harbors. concur
i'll tho recommendation OF the secrc-
tary that tho liberalization organiza-
lion be adopted Tor tho infantry. The
adoption OF Il smokelcss powder and a
modern rifle equal in range, precision
and rapldity oil fro to the best now in
use, will, | hope, not be longer de-
layed.
10 AS 4 SOLDIER.
The project OF enlisting Indians and
organizing them into separate compa-
MES upon the same basis as other SOL
dicrs was made the subject OF very care
ful study by the secretary and received
my approval. Seven companies have
been completely organized and seven
more arc in process OF organization.
The results OF six months training
have more than realized the highest an
ticipations. The men are readily
brought under discipline, acquire the
drill with facility and show great pride
in the right discharge OF their duties
and perfect loyalty to their officers, who
declare that they would take them into
action with confidence. The discipline.
order and cleanliness of the military
posts will have a wholesome and clc-
waiting influence upon the men enlist
cd, and through them upon their
tribes, while a more friendly feeling for
tho whites and n greater respect for the
government will certainly be promoted.
SPLENDID RECORD.
The great worl; done in the record
and pension division OF the war depart
ment by AIajor Ainsworth, of the mcdi-
cal corps, and the clerks under him. is
entitled TO honorable mention. Taking
up the work with nearly 4l,O0O cases
behind, he closed the last fiscal year
without a single case left over, though
the now cases had increased 81 per cent
in number over the previous year by
reason OF tho pension legislation OF the
last congress.
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
| concur in the recommendation OF
the attorney general that tho right in
felony cases to n review by the supreme
court be limited. 1t would seem that
personal liberty would have 4 safe
guaranty ii the right OF review in cases
involving only fine and Imprisonment
were limited to the circuit court OF APP
pcals, unless a constitutional question
should in some way be involved. The
judges oil the court OF private land
claims, provided for by the act OF
March 3, 1891, have been appointed and
the court organized. 1t is now possible
to give carly relief TO communities long
rcprcsscd in their development by un-
settled land titles and to establish tho
possession and right OF settlers whose
lands have been rendered valuelcss by
adverse and unfoundcd claims.
THE CoMING culSEE.
The enforcement by the treasury de-
parimcnt OF tho law prohibiting tho
coming OF Chinese to the United States
has been effective as I o such as seek to
land from vessels entering our ports.
Tho result has been 10 divert the travel
10 vessels entering the ports Of British
Columbia, whence passage into tho
United states at obscure points along
the Dominion boundary is easy. Avery
considerable number OF Chinese labor
crs have, during the past year, entered
the United States from Canada and Mex
leo.
The officers OF the treasury depart
ment and OF tho department OF Justice
have used every means at their com.
mand to intercept this immigration,