Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1892-12-10
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
Extracts from Secretary Eltins' Report
on Its business for the Year.


report of the secretary of war has been
made public. The efficiency of tile
different corps is the subject of COM
ment and the revival of the grade of
lieutenant general is urged, the follow
ing reasons being advanced:
1.-THE interests OF the nation demand that the
administration Of military affairs shall bo at
tended with dignity and authority. To this end
1t Is necessary that the commanding general
should be conspicuously superior in rank to all
subordinates. Experience has shown that
rank, as well as command, is essential to give
proper effect to authority in any military Or
ganizntion OF Importance. Accordingly 1t is
recommended that the lieutenant generalcy be
revived as permanent grade of army rank"
Secretary Elkins wishes to elevate
the enlisted personnel of the army and
makes recommendations us follows:
II good men are wanted for the army they
must be paid something near what wagc-earn-
ers receive in the ordinary pursuits OF civil life
Under the pressure OF national prosperity rep
resentative men command good pay. The army,
under favorable conditions, should be one OF
the most desirable trades of youth and there
can scarcely be doubt that bright and ad-
venturous young men would seek our colors in
considerable numbers IL it were generally un.
derstooo that courage and merit would be
suitably rewarded Under present conditions
there is scarcely any pencuniary benefit to at
tract man to the ranks. Promotions to COM
missioned grades are necessarily few, and the
difference between the pay OF private
and non-commssioned officer is hardly
appreciable, when considered in the light OF an
nducement to enlistment. 1t is therefore rec
commended that at least the pay of oil non.com-
missioned grades be increased to the extent of
making promotion thereto the object of legiti.
mate ambition, thereby inducing the enlistment
OF the very best material to compey. for the ad.
vantages of promotion to the grade OF both
commissioned and noncommissioned officers.'
The report urges that small posts be aban-
ioned and that regimental posts should be
located Mt or the principal CEN
ters where transportation facilities are
ample, and movements of both men and sup
plies may be rapidly and economically made.
The army could be maintained under
these conditions much cheaper than ever be.
fore in its history. 1t is thought that the
cities near which such posts may be located
should be required by congress to donate to
the government sufficient land, say 1909 acres,
in consideration of building and maintain
ing such posts in their immediate
vicinity Officers and men would thus
| have access to churches, schools, IL
brarieS, and other advantages which are only
to be found near large centers Of population
Added to this, the presence of troops in the
states would familiariZc the people with the
| army, lead them TO better unders tand its opera
tions, and, 1t is believed, foster kindler inter-
est in IL.
roilOWlilB uTG tHe recommendations rpburO-
ing West Point military academy:
1.-THE high standing of the military academy
Mt West Point has been intained. The re-
ports of the boards of visitors and of
the superintendent show marked advance
ment and speak well Of the condition
and management OF the institution. Its
| capacity is not overtaxed Vacancies in the
list of cadets constantly exist, which it is i'm
portant should be kept full. 1t is recommended
| that the president be givenauthority to appoint
ten cadets at large each year, as was author
| lied by law prior to June H. 1868"
| Referring to military drill in colleges In the
| United States. the report says that over 1000
| boys are now undergoing such instruction by
army officers detailed for that purpose.
| The following refers to the national guard:
1.-The importance of maintaining and inprov
Ing the militia OF the several states and the Dis
| trict OF Columbia is generally admitted. The
| national guard is the reserve force of the
army. Attention is invited to the nee
essary appropriations for arming and
| euuipping this reserve force In 1903
| the appropriations for the militia of the states
was 100000. The highly-improved arms and
! equipments of the present day cost for the same
| number OF men more than treble what they did
eighty-four years ago. The population of the
| country is many times what it was
then, and the demand for these
| equipments has increased many times.
| An appropriation Of only five times the amount
| appropriated in 1908 can hardly be considered
| eXtravagant Recent appropriations have been
entirely inadequate and the war department is
| under the constant necessity OF refusing sup.
| supplies called for from the different states.
| An appropriation OF at least 81 100000 for this
| purpose is recommended"
Indian soldiers, according to the inspector
| generals report, show remarkable aptitude for
| military service. In speaking of the army gen.
orally, he says that reports OF inspections
made since the new drill regulations were
| issued show commcndable alacrity on the part
| OF the men in learning them, and that those for
the infantry and cavalry are considered an i'm
| provement-
The report of the surgeon general shows tho
| health OF the army to be good. Taking into
| consideration the number Of admissions to hos
| pital, the number constantly sick, tho number
OF deaths and the number discharged for dis
| ability, the rates are lower than for the pre-
| vious year, and considerably lower than the
| rates OF the previous decade.
| "The chief signal officer reports the continued
| improvement of the signal service and impor-
| tant acquisitions in knowledge and in material
and instruments course Of instructions has
| been established at Fort Riley, Kan, which
| comprises practical and Theoretical! work in
electricity field surveying, telegraphy tel.
| ephony and signaling. plan outlining the
| work and equipment OF the corps in
case OF hostilities has been approved,
and will be carried out appropria
tions are made and opportunities occur. inves-
legations of the possibilities OF electric flash
light are in progress. The management of the
| military telegraph has been satisfactory, and
| some now lines have been constructed, A prac-
| tical test OF the field telegraph train has been
| made In the construction OF flying held tele-
graph line about 35 niles long in twenty.four
| hours time'F
The expenditures for the fiscal year ended
June 30 1892 were s5l,2ls,9T059
The appropriations for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1893, were $50, ,532 922. 81.
The estimates for the fiscal year ending June
| 3d. 1884, are A3, ,3546 67a72.
| Following is the reference TO the worlds fair:
1.-THE plans for the war department exhibit at
| the Worlds Columbian exposition are as nearly
perfected as time and circums tances will per-
nit. All sections OF the proposed exhibit are
well in hand 1t is expected to be illustrative
of the advancement Of the age In all that per-
tains to the art of war and the relative stand
ing OF our government among the great military
powers OF the world"
Among the important events Of this great
NJ tyiD ha ha