The record-union., 1892-12-05
Special to the REcoRD-UN1oN.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.-The Secretary
of War, in his annual report, urges the
passage of the bill for the infantry re-or-
ganization, which has already gone
through the Senate and is now pending
in the House. A plea is also made for the
revival OF the grade Of Lieutenant Gen-
eral.
The Secretary says while the enlisted
personnel OF the army is, as a whole, very
much better than at any time previous.
much remains to he accomplished in this
connection. If good men are wanted for
the army, they must be paid something
nearer what wage-earners receive in the
ordinary pursuits of civil life. Under the
present conditions there is scarcely any
pecuniary benefit to attract men to the
ranks; promotions to commissioned Off
GERS are hardly appreciable when con-
sidered in the light of the inducement to
enlistment. 1t is recommended at least
the pay Of non-cOmnissioned grades be
increased to the extent Of making promo
ton thereto an object Of legitimate ambi-
ton.
The Secretary recommends a continu-
ance of the policy of abandoning small
III the larger States now without them.
In addition to the decided saving in the
expense OF maintenance, there will be
more uniform and better discipline and
positive improvement in instruction and
military administration. Such posts will
also be Of advantage in connection with
the training and instruction OF the Ma
tiOnal Guard.
The high standing of the West Point
Academy was maintained during the
year. Its capacity was not over-taXed,
and the Secretary recommends that the
President be given authority to appoint
ten cadets at large each year, as it is prob
able that with this increase there will
still be vacancies, and the number Of
graduates will not exceed seventy-fve
per annum. The post graduate schools
of artillery, infantry and cavalry and
light artillery and engineers have made
encouraging progress, and the Secretary
makes numerous recommendations with
regard to them.
AS to the National Guard, he calls at
tentiOn to the necessity of increased ap-
propriations, saying the recent ones have
been utterly inadequate. In lS0S the aD-
propriations for the militia of the States
We're two hundred thousand dollars.
Highly improved arms and equipments
of the present day cost for the same num-
Der OF men more than treble what they
did elghty-tour years ago, while the pop
uIatlon OF the country is many times
greater, as well as tie demand for equip
ment. An appropriation Of at least one
million dollars for this purpose is recon-
mended; also that the present law be
changed so arms and supplies, which
have become unserviceable in the hands
Of the militia may be sold. and the pro-
ceeds used for furnishing new supplies
instead of being converted into the treas
ury.
The Inspector General reports to the
Secretary regarding Indian soldiers that
they show remarkable aptitude for mill
tary service. are amenable to discipline,
generally of good habits and proud of be-
ing soldiers, and, considering their
ignorance OF the English language, their
progress in drill has been extraordinary.
The reports at inspection since the new
drill regulations We're issued show com
mendable alacrity on the part Of the men
/ learning them.
The Surgeon-General takes deep inter
est IN the more perfect organization of
the medical department for the National
Guard, and 1t is hoped this may be ac-
cOmplished through the medical depart
ment of the army and association of
military surgeons of the National Guard.
The report OF the Chief OF Engineers
contains information concerning forti-
tications for seabOard and Improvement
OF rivers and harbors. The construction
of emplacements for modern high power
guns and mortars in some of the larger
harbors are well under way, but not vet
cO-eXtensive with the construction of
guns or needs OF the coast defense. The
Secretary hopes sufficient appropriations
VIII be made for this purpose, and for the
purchase Of sites needed upon advanced
headRnds of our harbors for Iong-ranoe
guns.
1he Secretary devotes some space to the
report OF the Chief OF Ordnance, which
was previously covered at length in these
dispatches.
The Chief Signal Officer reports a con-
tinued Improvement in his branch of the
service, and among other things men
tions the practical tests Of the field tele-
field telegia aph line thirty-five miles long
in twenty-tour hours.
The estimated appropriation submitted
by The Secretary Ior the fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1892, IS S43, ,354, 600.