Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-12-04
The Army.

The secretary OF war reports that the
strength of the army on Sept. 3 last was 21,-
rs enlisted men and 2l4i Officers. The TO al
expenditures . the department for the year
ending June ~, 1853, amounted to SOL, ,16. Tis9.
OF this sum 81, ,g15 .9j was for salaries and
contingent expenses, S23.577 ,sSs 81 for the sup
p, rt of the military es ablishment, s6,o77,-
03.lg for miscellaneous objects, and $aj,5lS,-
GILL for public wor IS. This latter sum in
cludes SIS, g6, $50 10 for river and harbor i'm
provements and s],65,lil % for fortifcations
and other works Of defense.
The total enrolment of the militia OF the
several states wa on the 3lst of October OF the
current year ll2,591 officers and enli ted men.
The officers OF the army detailed for the in
spection and instruction OF this reserve OF our
military force report that increased interest
and marked progress are apparent in the dis
cipline and efficiency Of the organization.
Neither Indian outbreaks nor domestic vio-
lence have called the army into service dur
Ing the year, and the only active military
duty required of II has been in the depart
ment of Texas, where violations OF the neu-
trality laws Of the United States and Mexico
were promptly and efficiently dealt with by
the troops, eliciting the warm approval Of the
civil and military authorities OF both coun-
tries
IL Is gratifying to note that We have begun
TO attain completed results in the comprehen-
sive scheme OF sea coast defense and fortiica-
tion entered upon eight years ago. A large
sum has been already expended, but the coat
Of maintenance will be inconsiderable a. COM
pared with the expense of construction and
ordnance.
The manufacture OF heavy ordnance keeps
pace with current needs: but to render these
guns available for the purposes they are de-
signed TO meet, emplacements must be pre-
pared for them. Progress has been made In
this direction. and IL is desirable that con gress
A.. H.. .x... Il H.
for the uninterrupted prosecution Of this
necessary work.
The work on the projected Chicksmauga
and Chattanooga military park has been pros
ecuted with zeal AMI judgment, and IT'S open
ing will he celebrated during the coming year.
Over nine square miles ~ the Chickamauga
battlefield have been acqu red. 2 miles Of
roadway have been constructed, and perma-
nent tablets have been placed at many histor-
zeal points, while the Invita- on 10 the states
TO mark the po itions of their troops partici-
pating In the battle has been very generally
accepted. The work o. locating and preserv-
ing lines OF battle at the Gettysburg battle
field is making satisfactory progress on the
plans directed by the last congress.
Department of Justics.
The report OF the attorney general contains
the usual summary of the affairs and pro-
ccedings OF the department OF justice for the
past year. ! cannot too heartily indorse the
proposition thai the fee system as applicable
70 the compensation of United States at
torneys, marsbals, clerks OF federal courts
and United States commissioners, should be
abolished with as little delay as possible.
IL in addition TO this reform another was
inaugurated which would give 20 United
States commissioners the hnal disposition of
petty offenses within the grade OF misde-
meanors. especially these coming under the
Internal revenue laws, gre Il advance would
OF the criminal laws.
l hea tily join TIE attorney general In rec
ommending legislation fixing degrees OF the
crime Of murdet within federal Jurisdiction