The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-05
greater efficiency among the men and
improvement OF the service.
Repeal of N Law Rec. mmensird.

the military force, the abandonment OF !
smaller ard unnecessary posts. and tho
massing Of the troops at important and
accessible stations all promise to pro-
mote the usefulness OF the army. In the
judgment of army officers with but few
exceptions the operation OF the law for
bidding the re-enlistment OF men after ten
years service has not proved its wisdom.
and while the arguments that led to its
adoption were not without merit the
experience Of the year constrsins me 10
join I'm the recommendation for its repeal.
IL is gratifying 10 note that we begin to
attain completed results I'm the comprehen-
sive scheme Of sea-Coast defense and
fortilcatioi, entered upon eight years ago.
large sum has been already expended,
but the cost Of maintenance will be incon-
siderable as comp2red with the expense of
construction and ordnance. AZ the end Of
the current calendar year the war DEPART
meat will have nine twelve-inch guns,
twenty tei Inch and thlrty-four eight-inch
guns ready 20 be mounted on gun lifts and
carriages, and seveEty-fye twelye-inch
mortars. In addition 20 the product of the
army gun factory now completed at
Watervlle. The government has contracted
with private parties for the purchase Of
one hundred guns of these callhres. the
first Of which should be delivered to the
The manufacture OF heavy ordnance
keeps pace with current needs. Progress
has been made in this direction, and il IL
desirable that Congress by adequate ap-
propriatons should provide for the unn-
terrupted prosecution of this necessary
work.
Military Schools and New Rifss.
After much preliminary work and ex-
haustiye examination In accordance with
the requirements of the law, the board qp-
pointed to select a magazine rife Of mod
ern type with which 10 replace the obso-
lete Springfield rifle of the infantry SER
vice. completed It's labors during the last
year and the work OF manufacture is nov
i'm progress at the National Armory at
Springfield. II is confidently expected that
ty the end of the current vea- our infan-
try will be supplied with a weapon equal
70 that Of the most progressive armies OF
the world.
The work on the projected Chtcknma1ga
and Chattanooga National Military Park
has been prosecuted with zeal and judg-
ment, and its opening viii be celebrated
during the coming year. over nine square
miles OF the Chickamduga battlefield have
been acquired, twenty-five miles OF road
way have teen constructed, and permanent
tablets have been placed at many histori-
States 20 mark the positions Of their
troops participating in the battle has
been very generally accepted. The work
Of locating and preserving the lines Of
battle at the Gettysburg battlefield is
making satisfactory progress on the plans
directed by the last Congress
The reports OF the military academy at
West Point and the several schools for
special instruction officers show marked
advance in the education in the army and
commendabe ambition among It's Off
GERS 70 excel I'm the military profession
and to fit themselves for the highest SER
vice 10 the country. Under the superyi-
sion of Adjutant General Robert Williams.
lately retired, the bureau of military in
formation has become well established
and IS performing a service that will but
I'm possession Of the government. i'm time
Of war. most valuabl information, and
at all times serve a purpose Of great
utility in keeping the army advised OF the
worlds progress In all matters pertaining
70 the art OF war.
Compensation Of Court OficiaIs
The report Of the Attorney General
contains the usual summary Of the affairs
and proceedings Of the Department of
Justice for the past year. together with
certain recommendations as to needed leg
islation on various subjects. ! cannot too
heartily endorse the proposition that the
law AS applicable 70 the compensation Of
United States attorneys, marshals. clerks
Of Federal courts and United States COM
missioners should be abolished with as
little delay as possible IL is clearly
I'm the interest Of the community that the
business Of the courts. both civil
and criminal, shall be small and
tfta.. HraIa
of justice will allow. The system
is. therefore. thoroughly vicious which
makes the compensation of court
officials depend upon the volume Of
such business, and thus create
conflict between proper execution OF
the law and private gain, which can not
fail 20 be dangerous 10 the rights and
freedom Of the citizens and an irresisti-
BILE temptation TO the unjustifable .x-
pendlture Of public funds IL in addi-
ton TO this reform another was inaugd-
rated which would 81 to United States
commissioners the final disposition OF pet
ty offences within the grade Of INSIDE
meanOrs. especially those coming under
the internal revenue laws, great sd-
vance would be made toward a more de-
cent administration Of the criminal law
In my first message TO Congress. dated
December 3, 1855. strongly recommended
these changes and referred somewhat
at lenS,h 10 the evils OF the present sys-
TEN. Since that time criminal business
OF the Federal courts and the expense
attending IL have enormously Increased.
The number OF criminal prosecutions
pending i'm the circuit and district
courts OF the United States. on the first
day OF July 1885, was three thousand
eight hundred and eight, OF which one
thousand, eight hundred and eighty-four
were for violations Of the internal reve-
nue. laws, while the number Of prosecu-
tiOns pending on the first day OF July
1893. was $500. OF which 400 were for
violations OF the internal revenue laws.
The expense OF the United States Courts.
exclusive Of judges salaries, for the
year ending July !, 1885. was 81
S7l,733 H., and for the year ending
July !, 1888 A.52S676.S. II IS, there
fore. apparent that the reasons given
in 1856 for a change in me manner Of
enforcing the Federal criminal law, have
gained cogency and strength by lapse Of
time.
1 also heartily join the Attorney-Gen-
eral in recommending legislation. fixing
degrees Of the crime Of murder with
in federal jurisdiction. as has been
done in many OF the States author
izing writs OF error on behalf OF
the government In cases when final
judgement is reached against the
sufficlency OF an indictment or against
the government upon any other question
arising before actual trial limiting the
right OF review In cases OF felony punish
able only by fine and Imprisonment 10
the Circuit Court OF Appeals and max
ing speedy provision for the construction
OF such prisons and reformatories IS