The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-12-16
OUR MILITARY SERVICE
The Secretary Of War Makes
Public His Annual Report.
The Problem of Coast Defenses
Practically Settled.

The annual report Of the Secretary OF
War has been made public at Washington.
1t reviews the entire status of each branch
of the army service, together with the sub
ject of coast defenses, pensions, promotions,
war records, national cemeteries and SOL
diers' homes.
Regarding the subject Of coast defense
Secretary Proctor reviews the Work or tne
board Of army officers and civilians pro.
vided for by Congress in 1885. and also the
results of the consideration of the same sub
ject by both houses Of Congress. This
policy" says the Secretary, necessarily
contemplates a system of land
defenses as its most important feature.
We have some 1000 miles OF seacoast, e1-
elusive of Alaska. No great naval power
has more than a few hundred miles OF coast
to defend, and yet even they protect their
hsrbors with heavy Notifications and high
power guns. The cost Of land defenses
has not increased as rapidly as the
cost of the means Of attacking them.
They are not only the cheapest to
build, but once built the cost Of maintain
ing them can be reduced to the minimum.
Neither are they an experiment, nor can
they become useless, but they may be built
with a view to further strengthening If re-
quired, and capable Of mounting larger guns
il necessary"
The Secretary points out that over half
the entire appropriation has been allotted
and about $3.50, 0G0 expended. BE therefore
recommends that an appropriation OF $780,
900 be continued annually until all the nee
essary sites are secured.
Desertions from the army have been less
than in any other year of its history. From
January LIST, 1867, to June 30th, 1891, twenty
four and one-half years, the number OF de-
s~ertions from the army was SS,47a. 1t has
cost the Government a very large sum Tor
pay, clothing. subsistence, and Transporter
ton of recruits to replace these men.
For the year ending June 30, 1883, the rate
was 11.6 per cent; for the year ending June
80, 1890, nine per cent, for the year ending
June 30, 1891, e.1 per cent. During the
the rate was only So per cent, and for q
like period ending October 81, 81 per cent.
It is recommended that the age limit for
original enlistments in the army be reduced
by offering greater inducements to young
men. This should be one by a reasonable
increase in the pay of non-commissioned
officers. especially that Of First Ser
geants, and by giving them a bet
ter opportunity to compete upon
examination for commissions. The
Secretary renews his suggestion that the
ohS "a WIG bASoL <NA
mendation OF the company commander a
condition percedent to promotion from the
ranks to q Lieutenancy be repealed.
The adoption of the characterization sys-
tenn is urged on the ground that, under the
new tactics required by the increase in
range and rapidly Of fire, a ten-company
battalion cannot be maneuvred.
Nothing unfavorable has been brought
to the attention Of the department regard:
ing the utility as military organizations OF
the Indian companies Of either arm, but 30
more than was expected Of the experiment.
will be realized.
Twenty-eight army posts have been
abandoned since June 1, 1889, and the num-
Der Of post traders has been reduced from
eighty-hve to twenty-five since March q,
1889.
The number of cases received by the Rec.
ord and Pension Division Of the department.
in the course Of the last year was 15S. 259 In
in business Of ffty-two per cent. The work
of transcribing the original records Is going
on rapidly, and the work can be completed
within a year and q halt, when the depart.
ment can dispense with the services OF 900 OF
its present clerks, ut q saving to the Govern
mant of at least 81, 600, 900 yearly. The work
of collecting the Civil War Iecords Is also
progressing rapidly.
The most gratifying results have attended
the new system Of examinations for pro
motion. It is urged that the exception re-
garding the promotion Of First Lieutenants
In commission be repealed, and the law
made to apply uniformly to all. II IS also
urged that the department have at Its I'm
mediate disposal correct information reia.
tive to the capacity, habits and professional
attachments Of each officer in the army.
There is no inducement for the meinte-
nance OF q greater number OF militia than Is
actually required by the law. but rather the
reverse, if economy be consulted. The al
lotment as now made Is not based upon
what States do in return for the appropria-
ton, but what they ought to do.
The report concludes with q memoran.
dunn Of expenditures, appropriations and
estimates. The expenditures for the fiscal
wear ending June 80, 1891, were ISL $50 764.-
is. of which 50, $50. 648.53 were for salaries
and contingent expenses, 1854 1875. 70 for
the support Of the army and M~ilitary-Acad-
emy. SIC, O61. 4TS.96 for public works,
including river and harbor I'M
proyements, and 81, 9 4s9.A6 for miscel:
faneous objects. The estimates for the fiscal
wear ending June 30, 1893, include 50, Os6. l7s
Tor salaries and contingent expenses. So,
299, ITO. n for the support OF the army and
Military Academy. sl3,20S, 1913 for public
works and "a, Ss1, s6l go for miscellaneous
ohiacto making a total of S45. 975, Cos, 81.