New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-08

is equal, II not superior. to that we can obtain
from the best foreign sources.
| As soon as it was discovered that we had the
capacity to build and construct our own ordnance,
Congress wary wisely, under the advice OF Presi-
dent IIarrsons Administration, appropriated with
in the last four years funds sufficient 10 build
gun factories for both the Army and Navy. The
Naval appropriation made some three years
in advance of tho Army appropriation, and their
shops are all well equipped and new machinery
| Of American manufacture for the heavier guns
is now being rapidly put into position. The
Army gun factory at Watervliet Arsenal is now
about complete; the plant for the north wing is
almost already in place, and the machinery for
the south wing is going in rapidly. All the
machinery for both factories has been
designed and made in the United States and
the material used in both factories is fabricated
in this country. In fact, under the policy pur
| sued by the Department during the Administra-
ton of PRECEDENT Harrison gigantic new indus
try has sprung into existence, aud the product
surpasses that obtained abroad in those factories
! which, after many years of experience. cost mill
ions whereas, in this country, with our limited
experience. We spend only thousands of dollars.
| SO that now, rs result Of the present Admins
traton in this regard at least, the United States
is we'll able 10 take care Of itself and maintain
its rights under any circumstances, without such
| fears were necessarily experienced before the
| present Administration began. 1t doubtless
| knowledge Of these facts that gave to the Ad-
ministration that assurance of selfdependence
| and selfprotection which seemed 10 actuate the
President in the strong stand he has felt several
| times called upon TO maintain in international
| relations.
| With respect TO the immediate management Of
the affairs Of the Army il is safe TO say that more
| ho,.o hoop oht xrit fhn last
| four years than ever before in the history Of thr
| Government. Many of the innovations and re-
forms which had been contemplated in years pre-
vious and which had been more or less constantly
under consideration, were put into practice. For
| example, it conceived that the efficiency of
| the army depended largely upon the personnel OF
its officers, and efforts made to lift their ct-
| fciency to the highest standard. To that end the
| Department inaugurated system of efficiency re-
ports which consisted OF personal report OF ench
| officer of the Army as to what matters he had
given special attention to during the year IN the line
| Of the military profession, his knowledge of for
| eisn languages, and whatever special course OF
reading, study or Investigation he may have been
| engaged upon, together with general remarks as
| to his ambition purposes. etc Accompanying this
was an efficiency report in the case of each officer
| rendered by the commanding officer of regiments.
| setting forth the official and personal status of
| the officer as to conduct habits, condition OF men
under his control, capacity for command scientific
attainments prominent talents and peculiar illness
for military duties The results In this regard have
| been most satisfactory and day the Department
is enabled in the selection OF officers for any sr-
| ciic duty to proceed more intellgcntly than ever
before. which results in securing for the Govern
| mcnt the best talent that may I've required IN any
! given direction.
| Aside from this the system has worked well by
| stimulating the officers to more stndious habits.
| and securing perhaps even better condition of
| morals than before existed. Then the changed
and improved law governing promotions, whereby
| the rule Of seniority, which had previously pre-
vailed in regard 70 certain corps only was made
10 amply to all officers Of whatever grade with one
single exception and this although working 10 the
| disadvantage of few individuals was generally
productive Of satisfactory results
Under the Presidents guidance most satisfactory
| changes have also been made in the condition OF
| the enlisted men. Under old rules aDd regulations
| for the government Of the Army the primitive sys-
| TEN involved many harlships Inconvenience and
| much dissatisfaction. On recommendation, there
! fore, Of the War Department. Congress provided
| for q general system OF punishment, which pre-
scribed specific methods Of trial and mandatory
| code of punshments for various Offences Instead
Of subccting tie minor offender 10 trial by court
| martial summary court was established which
corresponds 70 the justice or police courts IN cities
| This has been most satisfactory. The soldier who
| is guilty Of any trihing transgrcssions OF mill
tary regulations. instead Of being placed In guard
house with more serious offenders, and held several
| DAYS for trial by cours-martial that were
subsequently convened for that purpose,
| NAV now be confined in quarters and
| brought TO trial within twenty-fonr hours
| tefore tie summary court officer, who I'M
mediately dsposes of his case upon hearing. Under
improved regulations the enlisted mans condition
| has been improved in various other respects HIS
rotion has been increased and mndc TO embrace
| fresh vegetables which for years before had never
been provided for by the Department. His com
| fort in quarters has been carefully studied and
| regulations have been made 10 improve them In
other words, the soldier in tie United States Army
| to-day has better food, better clothing, better
ouarters and is afforded more comfortable garrison
| surroundings than ever before. All these reforms
have tended TO make tile enlisted man better sa'is-
| fed and together with the change IN regard 10
period Of enlistment, has tended greatly " reduce
| the number of desertions Under the present law
as passei upon the recommendation OF tile Depart
n,ent during the present Administration, men may
enlist for three years or may purchase their as
| charge at any tine according TO prescribed rules
| Tins IT, will be seen that the fears which a man
may have had, who enlisted in years gone by have
dsappeared. Formerly a man who enlisted Tor
five years WAS compelled to serve out his term
whether the life was congenial 10 him or not, ana
that fact alone made men desert or continue To
| serve and to chafc under the restrictions Inc
privilege, however, which the soldiers now ENJOY.
| Of leaving the service hOnoraby almost at any
time seems to have lcsscncd the festessness wnic"
| formerly prevailed, and better class OF men are
oil 90 ST.
Indeed not satisfied TO mantain recruiting officers
| :; cha nrincinaI cities the Department has recently