The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1893-12-16

This latter sum includes $l5, 296, S76 46
for river and harbor improvements, and
81, 266, 14l 20 for Notifications and other
works OF defense. The total enrolment I
OF the militia OF the several states was
on the 3lst OF October OF the present |
year 1887 officers and enlisted men. |
The officers OF the army detailed for the
inspection and instruction OF this reserve
OF our military force report that in
creased interest and progress are appar-
ent in the discipline and efficiency OF
the organization. Neither Indian out
breaks nor domestic violence has 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 neu-
I tralitv laws OF the United States and
Mexico we're promptly and efficiently
dealt with by the troops, eliciting the
warm approval OF the civil and military
authorities Of both countries.
YEAR OF PEACE.
The operation OF wise laws and the in
fluences Of civilization constantly tend
ing to relieve the country from the dan
gers Of Indian hostilities, together with
the increasing ability OF the states,
through the efficiency OF the National
Guard organizations, to protect their
citizens from domestic violence, lead TO
the suggestion that the time is fast APP
preaching when there should be a reor-
ganizat'on of our army on the lines OF
the present necessities of the country.
! This change contemplates neither an in
crease in number nor added expense,
but a redistribution of the force and an
encouragement OF measures tending to
greater efficiency among the men and
the improvement of the service. The
! adoption Of battalion formations for in
fantry regiments, the strengthening OF
E the artillery force, the abandonment OF
3 certain unimportant positions and the
I massing of the troops at important and
= accessible stations, all promise 10 pro
, mote the usefulness OF the army. In the
6 judgment OF army officers, with but few
. exceptions, the operation Of the law for
r bidding the re-enlistment OF men after
i 10 years service has not proven its wis
Il dom, and, while the arguments that Lee
/ to its adoption were not without merit
r the experience OF the year constrains nj
: 10 Join in the recommendation for il
h repeal.
n OUR COAST DEFENsEs.
e 1t is gratifying 10 note that we hav
}. begun to attain completed results in tn
2 comprehensive scheme Of sea-coast de
Tense and Qualifications entered upo
9 eight years ago. A large sum has bee
@ already expended, but the cost OF main
n tanning will be inconsiderable as com
v pared with the expense of con structiO
20 and ordnance. At the end of the cur
, rent calendar year the war department
4 will have nine l2-inch guns, 20 l0-inch an
81 S-inch guns ready to be mounted o
Is gun-liits and carriages, and 70 12-inc
90 mortars. In addition TO the product {
Oo the army gun factory now completed q
90 Water vliet, the government has cor
3. tracted with private parties for III
ed purchase of 100 guns OF these caliber
mi the first OF which should be delivered
ch the department Tor test before July
,e4 1894. The manufacture of heavy oi
nance keeps pace with current nee
but to render these guns available
nal the purposes they are designed to me
ear emplacements must be prepared
4 OF them Progress has been made in
un- direction, and it is desirable that
of gress. by adequate appropriate
emit. should provide for the uninterrul
4 in prosecution OF this necessary work.
ros- THE NEW RIFLE SELECTED.
new After much preliminary work and
the haustive examination in accords
ppi with the requirements of the law,
ern board appointed 20 select a maya
nal rifle of modern type to replace the o
was lete Springfield rifle of the infantry
of vie completed its labors during the
the year, and the work of manufacturer,
the now in progress at the national arm
at Springfield It is confidently
pected that by the end Of the crirr,
of year our infantry will be supplied VI
er a weapon equal to that of the most pl
re gressive armies Of the world.
&c NATIONAL MILITARY PARKS.
y The work on the projected Chick
IL manga and Chattanooga military pa
u has been prosecuted with zeal and jud
re ment, and its opening will be celebrat,
70 during the coming year. Over nil
Ill square miles of the Chickamauga battl
OF field have been acquired p miles
'n road have been constructed, and pc
+, manent tablets have been placed
u many historical points, while the inv
+ tatiOn to the states 10 mark the positi,
: OF their troops participating in the ba
e; tie has been very generally accepted.
ed The work of locating and preservii
IN the lines of battles at Gettysburg battl
en field is making satisfactory progress
ne the plans directed by the last congres
~ MILITARY ACADEMIES.
et The reports Of the military acaden
no at West Point and the several schoc
Nh for special instructions of officers sho
rn marked advance in the education of ii
K army and commendable ambiti,
tn among its officers to excel in the mi
e. tary profession and to fit themselves {
n the highest service to the countr
BE Under the supervision OF Adjutant-Ge
n eral Robert Williams. lately retired, d
Sc bureau Of military information has b
come well established and is perfOrI
ing a service that will put in possessi'
s Of the government in time OF war mo
: valuable information, and at all tim
i, serve a purpose of great utility in kee
- ing the army advised of the world
10 progress in all matters pertaining to Il
- art OF war.
n Postmaster General.
K The report Of the postmaster-g ener
NJ contains detailed statement of the o
ne erations Of the pOstoiiice departme
al iuriuo the last fiscal year and nuch d