Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1893-12-09
SUPPLEMENT TO BAXTER SPRINGS NEWS.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER D. 1898.

O6A II AAN<A/AvAA)
military rorce report that increased interest
and marked progress are apparent in the dis
cipline and efficiency Of the organization.
Neither Indian outbr AXIS or domestic VIC.
lence have called the army into service during
the year, and the only active military duty re.
quired OF It has been in the department Of
Texas, where violations OF the neutrality laws
OF the United States and Mexico we're promptly
and efficiently dealt with by the troops. elicit.
ing the warm approval Of the civil and militar
authorities Of both countries.
The operation OF wise laws and the influence
OF civilization constantly tending to relieve the
country from the dangers Of Indian hos tilities.
together with the increasing ability Of the
states through the efficiency Of the nation u
guard organization to protect their citizens
from domestic violence, lead TO the suggestion
that the time is fast approaching when there
should be reorganization OF our army on the
lines Of the present necessities OF the country
This change contemplates neither increase In
number nor added expense, but q redistribution
Of the force and an encouragement OF measures
tending TO greater efficiency among the men
and improvement Of the service
After much preliminary work and examine
ton in accordance with the requirements OF tn
law. the board appointed to select magazine
rifle of modern type with orders to replace the
obsolete Springfield rife Of the infantry serv-
ice. completed its labors during the last year
and the work OF manufacturing Is now in prog.
ress at the national armory Mt Springfield. 1t
is confidently expected that BY the end Of the
current year our inf ntrv wi be supplied with
q weapon equal 10 that OF the most progressive
armies OF the world
The work OF the projected Chickamauga and
Chattanooga national military park has been
prosecuted with zeal and Judgment
The reports OF the military academy at West
Point and the special schools for special In
struction Of officers show marked advance in
the education OF the army aud commendable
ambition among its officers to excel in the
military profession and to fit themselves for
the highest service TO the country.
The Navy.
The report OF the secretary Of the navy con-
tains history Of the operations OF his depart
ment during the past year and exhibits most
gratifying condition OF the personnel OF our
navy. He presents satisfactory account TO
congress which has been made in the construc
ton OF vessels and makes n number Of recon-
mendations which is peciallr invited
During the past six months the demands for
arming vessels have been MAN. and urgent
There We been revolutions calling for vessels
to protect American interests In Nicaratua
Guatemala, Costa RIGA. Honduras, Argentine
and Brazil. while the condition OF affairs in
Honolulu has required the constant presence Of
one or more ships With all these calls upon
aur m ~ II became necessary In order 70 make
up surrlcient fleet, to patrol the Behring sea
under the modus vivendi agreed upon with
Great Britain TO detail TO that service one yes.
sci from the fish commission and three from
the revenue marine.
Progress In the construction Of new vessels
has not been as rapid as was anticipated There
have been delays in the completion OF unarm-
ored vessels, but for the most part they have
been such as was constantly occurring even In
countries having the largest experience in naval
ship building. The most serious delays, how
ever, have been in the work upon armored
ships. The trouble has been the failure OF con-
tractors 10 deliver rmor as agreed The DIM
culties seem now. however to have been all
overcome and armor Is being delivered with
satisfactory promptness
The method Of employing mechanical labor
at navy wards through boards OF labor, an
making efficiency the sole test by which labor
ers are employed and continued. Is producing
the best results and the secretary Is earnestly
devoting himself TO its development Attention
Is invited TO the statements OF his report IN re.
gard to workings OF the system
The Civil Service.
The continued intelligent execution of the civil
service law and the increasing approval by the
people Of its operation are most qualifying. The
recent extension Of It's limitations and regula-
lions to the employees at free delivery post
ofices which has been honestly and promptly
accomplished by the commission, with the
hearty cooperation Of the postmaster general,
Is an immensely important advance In the use
fulness Of the system. I am, II possible, more
than ever convinced OF the incalculable benefits
conferred by the civil service law, not only in
its effect upon the public service, but also what
Is even more important in its effect in elevating
the tone of political life generally
The law embodying civil service reform
found Its way to our statute book moro from
fear OF the popular sentiment existing In its fa-
vor than from any love for the reform itself on
the part Of legislators, and IL has lived and