Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-10
THE ARMY.
A High Compliment to Ex-Secretary Proc
tor-The Work on Coast Defences-
Indians Make Good SoIdiers-Hard to
Curb the Immigration of Chinese

tor-The Work on Coast Defences-
Indians Make Good SoIdiers-Hard to
Curb the Immigration of Chinese.
The report of the Secretary of War ex-
hibits the results of an intelligent, progress
sive and business-like administration of a
department which has been too much re-
garded as one of mere routine. The separa-
tion of the Secretary from the department
by reason of his appointment as q Senator
from the State of Vermont, is source OF
great regret to me and to his colleagues in
the Cabinet, as l am sure it will be to all
those who have had business with the de-
partment while under his charge.
In the administration of army affairs some
especially good work has been accomplished.
The efforts of the Secretary to reduce the
percentage of desertions by removing the
causes that promoted it have been so sue
cessful as to enable him to report for the
last year a lower percentage of desertion
than has been before reached in the history
of the army. The resulting money-saving is
considerable, but the improvement in the
morals of the enlisted men is the most val
liable incident of the reforms which have
brought about this result.
Shore Batteries and Their Armamenrs.
The work of securing sites for shore bat
teries for barber defense and the manu-
facture of mortars and guns of high power
to equip them have made good progress
during the year. TIL. preliminary work of
tests and plans, which was so long delayed
in the start, is now out of the way. Some
guns have been completed, and with an en-
larged shop and more complete equip
ment at Watervleit, the army will soon be
abreast of the navy in gun construction.
Whatever unavoidable eases of delay NAV
arise, there should be none from DELAYED or
insufficient appropriations We shall be
greatly embarrassed in the proper dstribu-
ton and use of naval vessels until adequate
shore defenses are provided for our harbors
/ concur in the recommendation of the
Secretary that the three battalion organiza-
tion be adopted for the infantry The
adoption OF smokeless powder and of a
modern rifle, equal in range, precision and
rapidity of fire to the best now in use, will,
hope, not be longer delayed.
Indians Make Good Soldiers.
The project of enlisting Indians and
organizing them into separate companies
upon the same basis as other soldiers, was
made the subject of very careful study by
the Secretary, and received my approval.
Seven companies have been completely
organized and seven more are in process of
organization. The results of six months
training have more than realized the high
est anticipations. 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 Sould take them in
to action with confidence. The
discipline, order and cleanliness of the mil
itary posts will have wholesome and ele-
waiting influence upon the men enlisted, and
through them upon their tribes, while
more friendly feeling for the whites and
greater respect for the Government will GER
tainly be promoted.
The great work done in the Record and
Pension Division of the War Department
by Major Ainsworth, of the Medical Corps,
and the clerks under him, is entitled to
honorable mention. Taking up the work
with nearly A, 600 cases behind, he closed
the last fiscal year without a single case left
over, though the new cases had increased 80
per cent i'll number over the previous year
by reason of the pension legislation of the
last Congress.
Limiting the Right of Appeal.
concur in the recommendation of the
cases to review by the Supreme Court be
limited. 1t would seem that personal lib
erty would have safe guaranty if the right
of review in eases involving only fine and
were limited to the Circuit
Court of Appeals, unless cOnstitutio onal
question should in some way be involved.
The judges of the Court of Private Land
Claims, provided for the act of March 3,
1891, have been appointed and the court or |
ganized. 1t is now possible to give early |
relief to communities long repressed in |
their development by unsettled land titles, |
and to establish the possession and right of |
settlers whose lands have been rendered |
BY adverse and unfounded claims. |
The act of July 9, 1888, provided for the |
and management of a reform |
school for girls in the District of Columbia, |
but it has remained imperative for the
reason that no appropriation has been made
for construction and maintenance The |
need of such an institution is very urgent.
Many girls could be saved from depraved |
lives by the wholesome influences and re-
straints of such school. L recommend
that the necessary appropriation be made
for site and for construction.
The Influx of the Mon-oIians.
Tine enforcement by the Treasury Depart
nent of the law prohibiting the coming of
Chinese to the United States has been eff
iective as to such as seek to land from yes
'els entering our ports. The result has |
been to divert the travel to vessels entering I
.he ports of British Columbia, whence
passage into the United States at obscure