Daily Kennebec journal., 1894-12-04
The Militia.

appears that the strength OF the army on 0dpt.
%, 1904 w2s 2laS officers and $500 enlisted
men. Although this is apparently very
slight decrease compared with the previous
year, the actual effective force has been IN
creased to the equivalent Of nearly two regi-
ments through the reorganization OF the sys-
tenn Of recruiting and the consequent release
to regimenfal duty OF the large force OF men
hitherto sery ring at the recruiting depots The
abolition of these depots, it Is predicted, wiz
furthermore effect an animal reduction ap-
proximating $4,000 in the direct expendi-
lures, besides promoting generally the health,
morals and discipline OF the troops.
The exeeution Of the policy Of concentrating
the army at important centers Of population
and transportation, forsehadowed in the last
annual report Of the secretary, has resulted In
the abandonment Of Is Of the smaller posts,
which was effected under plan which as
semLles organisations of the same regiments
hitherto widely separated. This renders our
small forces more readily effective Tor any
service which they may be called upon to per
form, increases the extent OF the territory
under protection without diminishing the Sc
curity heretofore afforded to any locality, i'm
proves the discipline, training and esprit do
corps Of the army. besides considerably in
creasing the cost Of its maintenance.
While the maximum legal strength Of the
arny is 5000 men, the effective strength,
through various causes, il but little over 10000
men. The purpose Of congress does not, there
fore seem to be fully attained by the existing
condition. While no considerable increase in
the army is, in my Judgment, demanded by
recent events, the policy Of seacoast fortifi'
cation, in the prosecution OF which we have
been sts ally engaged for some years, has 80
far developed as to suggest that the effective
strength of the army be now made at least
equal to the legal strength.
Measures taken by the department during
the year. as indicated, have already consider
ably augmented the effective force, and the
secretary of war presents plan, which rec
ommend to the consideration of congress, to at
tain the desired end. Economies effected in
the depa rtment in other lines Of Its work VIII
offset % "A great extent, the expenditure in
volved in the proposition submitted. Among
other things. this contemplates the adoption of
the thrce-ba.talion formation Of regiments,
which for several years has been indorsed by
the secretaries of war and the generals COM
manding the army. Compact in itself, it pro-
vides skeleton organization, ready to be filed
out in the event of war, which Is peculiarly
adapted to our strength and requirements; ;
and the fact that every nation, with q single
exception. has adopted this formation to meet
the conditions of modern warfare should alone
soc ar fo. this recommendation an early con-
sideratiOn. s.-. ..tr.+r5
1t is har,ly necessary to recall the fact that
in obedience to the commands of the constitu.
ton and the laws. and for the purpose of pro-
tecting the property of the United States. aid
ing the process of federal courts and removing
lawless distractions to the performance by
the g ", rnment Of its legitimate functions, it
became necessary in various localities during
the year to employ q considerable portion Of
the regular troops. the duty was discharged
promp :, courageously and with marked dis
cfetion by the officers and men, and the most
gratifying proof was thus afforded that the
army dest rves the complete confidence in its
efficiency and discipline, which the country
has at all times manifested. The year has
been free from disturbances by Indians, and
the chances of further depredations on their
part are constantly becoming more remote and
improbable. &ee 3
The Law Department.
The report Of the attorney general notes the
gratifying progress made by the supreme
court in overcoming the arrears Of its business
and in reaching condition in which it will be
able to dispose Of cases as they arise without
any unreasonable delay. This result is, Of
course, very largely due to the successful
working of the plan inaugurating circuit
courts of appeals.
topic Of much Importance is the condition
of the administration of the Indian Territory.
Such authorizations Of present conditions as the
existing system will admit OF ought not to be
neglected There should be a federal court es-
tablished for the territory with sufficient
judges, and this court should st within
the territory, and have the same jurisdic
tion Is to ter ritorial affairs as is now vested
in the federal courts sitting in Arkansas and
Texas.
Another object of pressing moment referred
to by the attorney general is the reorganiza
ton Of the Union Pacific Railway company, on
a basis equitable as regards all private inter
ests and as favorable to the government as ex-
isting conditions will permit
Eight years ago / urged upon the c 4 -ess
the location and construction of two sons
for the confinement Of United States prison
ers. A similar recommendation has been made
from time to time since. and few years ago a
law was passed providing for the selection Of
sites for three such institutions. No appropri
alton has, however, been made to carry the act
into effect, and the old and discreditable con-
dition still exists.
The Postal Service.
The report Of the postmaster gene raj pres
ents a comprehensive statement of the opera
tions of the postoffice department for the last
fiscal year. The receipts of the department
during the year amounted to s75,O8O, 9O4 and
the expenditures to $S4, ,224, 4l4.l5.
& The transactions Of the postal service ind-
cate with barometric certainty the fuctua-
tions in the business Of the country Inas-
much, therefore, as business complications
continue to exist throughout the last year to
an unforeseen extent, it is not surprising that
the deficiency Of revenue to meet the expendi-
lures Of the postoffice department, which was
estimated in advance at about 5000, 900, should
be exceeded by nearly 81, $4,000
The expenditures increase steadily and
necessarily with the growth and needs of the
country, so that the deficiency is greater or
less in any year, depending upon the volume
of receipts The postmaster general states
that this deficiency is unnecessary, and might
be obviated at once if the law regulating rates
upon mail matter of the second-class was
modified.
States on June 30, 1894, W As 69,S05, an increase
of li03 over the preceding year. OF these, 1923
were PIE sidential, an increase in that class of
6S oy 0 : the preceding year. Six hundred and
ten cities and towns are provided with free de-
livery. Ninety three other cities and towns
entitled to this service under the law have not
been accorded it on account of insufficient
funds
The expense of free delivery for the current
fiscal year will be more than 81, 10000 and,
under existing legislation this item of expen-
diture is subject to constant increase. The
estimated cost of rural free delivery generally
is SO very large that it ought not to be consid
cred in the present condition of affairs.
During the year $50 additional domestic
money order offices We're established. The
total number of these offices at the close of tie
year was l9,34 There were ,04l money