The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-11-21

OF w q In time OF peace havetbeen defined
and limited. Sunday INSPECTIONS and tat
and gymnasia established. These. to-
gether with the specific measures under
taken for that purpose, have reduced the
percentage OF desertions 70 lower point
and in the last year have reduced the num-
Der of inmates In our NJ ilitary prisons over
20 per cent.
A system of examination of officers for
promotion has been established, and their
promotion, with the exception of one grade,
has been put upon O lineal basis through
out the army. The retired list has been re-
lIeved by appropriate legislation. An effi-
cIency record of officers. has been kept,
enabling their selection for special duty to
be made on that basis.
In pursuance of policy of concentrating
the troops in larger posts, about one-fourth
OF the number OF posts occupied IN 1889 have
been abandoned, and the reservations
turned over to the Interior Department.
The enlistment of Indians has been sue
cessfully undertaken. The detail of officers
to colleges has been increased and new
rules adopted. The rebellion records have
been published much more rapidly under
increased appropriations and a reorganiza-
tion of the work. The military and hos
pltal records of the late war have been
brought together in the record and pension
division. the settlement OF pension claims
has been expedited, and the preservation
well toward completion. When finished
six hundred clerks can be discharged or
transferred to other departments.
In regard to the enlistment of Indians,
the Secretary says that the experiment has
proved satisfactory. Seven companies Of
cavalry and four of infantry have been re-
cruited in full and seven other companies
partially. They show themselves to be at
least equal to the men who have had no
more drill and experience, and much more
<hav, taA af tha ant hoo
been realized. They are dressed, fed and
treated like other soldiers and are IN
structed in English. At the time of their
enlistment many of them had never worn a
suit of Clothes or shoes. The Secretary ex-
poets much for the Indians from making
them soldiers.
The desertions from the army from 1920
to the rebellion were 14.S per cent. of the
enlisted strength annually. From 1867 to
Jan. 80, 1891, the number of desertions was
SS,475. For the year ending June 30, 1882
the rate was 11.6 per cent; for the year
ending June so, 1890. per cent; for the
year ending June 80, 1891. 81 per cent.
During the twelve months ending Sept 30.
1891 the rate was only 5.S per cent, and
for like period ending Oct. 81, 81 per cent
The diminutiOn is still going on, and the per-
centage is being reduced month by month.
Great as the reduction has been, however,
there is no good reason why desertiOns
should not be reduced to 3 or even 2 per
cent.
The board, which has examined oil the
small arms in use In Europe. reports that
magazine arms are still SO far from perfec-
tiOn that it is not wise to change from our
present excellent slngle-loader TO a maya
zine sy stem in too great haste. If we have
been slow in this matter, we have at least
been saved the great expense incurred by
most foreign nations in adopting an unsat-
isfactOry magazine arm prematurely. The
board, which has not as yet made report,
is still conducting experiments, and is Civ
ing American inventors every aid and IA
cility Tor perfecting and testing their arms.
Greater care is now taken in the enlist
ment of men than heretofore. Applicants
must furnish evidence of good moral char
acter. While recruiting offices are con-
tinued in the large cities the number has
been increased fve-fold by establishing
stations In smaller towns with the best
results The age of recruits is now limited
TO thirty years.
Following the recommendations of all
leading officers, the Secretary recommends
the three e-battalion organization for in
fantry. The reduction of the number
of first ieutenants In artillery Is recon-
mended. The number of post traders
has been reduced from eighty in 1859
to twenty-five at the present time
and seven more will be retired when
they dispose of their stocks. AS these men
the change was neither pleasant nor easy
to make. but the interests of the servIce
and the public good required ii. Of the re-
bellion records sixty seven volumes are
printed and there is matter sufficient for
105 volumes of the present size.
The law regarding civilian appointments
going into effect, men who had received
military instruction in colleges and else
where were invited to stand an examina-
tion. Of forty-One candidates who stood
the rigid examination twenty-three passed
most creditable examinations, of whom
thirteen received instruction under army
officers in colleges and ten were members
of the National Guard.
There are now eighty-two national GENE.
teries. in which 32S. lis soldiers, largely OF
the late war, are buried. The Secretary's
estimates for the next fiscal year amount to
| $40. .915. 6l3.37.
Proctor speaks as follows: 1.-The character
and attainments of the Older officers of the
army. who made their records during the
| great war, is too we'll understood to require
| any mention: but l wish to pay a we'll.
| deserved tribute to the younger officers
| who have not had the great war opportun-
laities of their seniors. Nothing in my con-
| nection with the army has gratifed
me so much as the general high
character and professional attainments
| of the younger officers of the army, who
| have made the most of their OppOrtunitie:
| under the conditions of comparative peace
| the future. and they can be implicitly re
lied upon to be equal to the requirements
| of any emergency"
The Secretary urges again that every sol
| dier be permitted to appear before pre-
| liminary board to establish his claim Il
consideration in connection with a com
| mission.