Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-04

| ga. 12i ,0&3.l0, which was NHoS.tS
| than on October 81. 1893. The circuiat'oh
was decreased n,7n,ss.
The obligations Of the banks 70 esen
Individual deposits were $szfss49 less
than at the corresponding date IN the
previous year. Loans and discounts were
| e161. sOec25 more than ~ the same time
| the prSvtous year. and checks and otner
cash items were Sac,sls.9s3 more. The
total resources OF the banks Of the date
mentioned amounted to 0.63sH.oSo a.
against $3.i09.2s4.s 800 In 1888.
MILITARY.
From the report Of the Secretary OF
| War. Il appears that the strength OF the
army on September 30. 1894. was 2.lSS
officers and 25,165 enlisted men. Although
this is apparently very slight oecrease
compared with the previous year. tne
actual effective force has been increased
| to the equivalent of nearly two regiments
through the reorganization OF the system
| OF recruiting, and the consequent release
| 10 regimental duty OF large force OF
men hitherto serving al recruiting.depots
| The abolition OF these depots. 1t Is pre-
| dicted. will. Furthermore. effect an annual
reduction approximat!ng s250oo IN the
| direct expenditures, besides prompting
generally the health, morals, ana disci-
| plne OF the troops.
The execution OF the policy OF concen-
trating the army at important centres OF
| population and transportation, FORE
| Swallowed In the last annual report OF the
Secretary. has resulted in the abandon
ment OF fifteen of the smaller posts. which
/ was effected under a plan Which as
| sembles organizations Of the same regi-
ments hitherto widely separated. This
renders our small forces more readily
| effective for any service which they may
| be called upon to perform. Increases the
extent OF the territory under protection.
| without diminishing the security hereto
| fore afforded to any locality, and improves
| the discipline, training. and esprit de
| CORPS Of the army, besides considerably
| decreasing the cost OF Its maintenance.
Though the forces Of the Department OF
| the East has been somewhat increased,
| more than three fourths Of the army Is
| still stationed west OF the Mississippi.
This carefully-matured policy, which
secures the best and greatest service In
| the interest Of the general welfare from
| the email force comprising our regular
army, should not be thoughtlessly en-
barrassed by the creation OF new ana
unnecessary posts through acts OF Con-
| gress to crafty the ambitions or interests
| Of localities.
|
| the army is 5000 men, the effective
| strength through various causes. Is but
| little over twenty thousand men. The
purpose of Congress does not, therefore.
seem to be fully attained by the existing
| condition. While no considerable increase
| Of the army is. In my judgment. demand
| ed by recent events, the policy OF ssa-coast
| fertilization, In the prosecution OF which
we have been steadily engaged for some
g.
| that the effective strength Of the army
| be now made at least equal to the legal
strength. Measures taken by the depart
ment during the year, az indicated, have
already considerably augmented the ef-
fective force, and the Secretary of War
presents plan which I recommend TO
the consideration of Congress. TO attain
the desired end Economies effected in the
department in other lines of It's work will
Offset to a great extent the expenditure
involved in the proposition submitted.
Among other things, this contemplates
the adoption of the three-battalion forma-
ton of regiments, which for several years
has been endorsed by the Secretaries OF
War and the generals commanding the
army. Compact in itself. 1t provides q
skeleton organization, ready to be filed
out in the event Of war, which Is pc
culiarly adapted to our strength and re-
quirements; and the fact that every other
nation. with a single exception. has adopt
ed this formation to meet the conditions
of modern warfare. should salone secure
for the recommendation an early consde-
ration.
USE OF TROOPS.
1t is hardly necessary to recall the fact
that in obedience to the commands of the
Constitution and the laws, and for the
NJ ~ Of 10
United States. aiding the process of
Federal courts, and removing lawless OBJ
structionS to the performance by the
government OF its legitimate functions. 1t
became necessary In various localities du-
ring the year 10 employ a considerable
portion Of the regular troops. The duty
was discharged promptly, courageously,
and with marked discretion by the officers
and men, and the most gratifying proof
was thus afforded that the army de-
serves that complete confidence in its
efficiency and discipline which the country
has at all times manifested.
The year has been free from dis
turbances by Indians, and the chances Of
further depredatIons on their par; are
constantly becoming more remote and i'm
probable.
The total expenditures for the War De-
partment for the year ended June 30,
sum 2,000. 6l499 was for salaries and con-
tingent expenses; s23. 6S5. 1876 for the sup
port of the military establishment: $780,
GS2.23 for miscellaneous objects. and s25,-
81. 555.96 for public works. This latter
sum includes 1894 37.49 for river and
harbor improvements. and s., 9i7, Sl35s for
defence. The appropriations for the cur
rent year aggregate $50, ,1l27s. and the
estimates submitted by the Secretary of
No. n g..
preparations amounting to s52,3 ,629.55.
The skill and industry OF our ordnance
officers and inventors have. 1t Is believed.
overcome the mechanical obstacles which
have heretofore delayed the armament
of our coasts. and this great national
undertaking, upon which we have en-
tered, may now proceed as rapidly as Con-
gress shall determine. With a supply of
finished guns, of large calbre already on
hand. to which additions should now
rapidly follow, the wisdom OF providing
carriages and emplacements for their
mount cannot be too strongly urged.
THE MILITIA.
The total enrolment OF the militia OF
the several States is 1883 officers and
enlisted men. an increase Of 5,343 over the
number reported at the close Of the pre-
vious year.
The reports of militia inspections by
regular army officers show marked in
crease in interest and efficiency among
the State organizations. and l strongly
recommend continuance of the policy
OF affording every practical encourage
ment possible to this important auxiliary
OF our military establishment.
The condition of the Apache Indians,
held as prisoners by the government for
eight years at q cost of half a million
dollars. has been changed during the year
from captivity to one which gives them
an opportunity to demonstrate their ca
| pacity for self-support and at least par
tial civilization. Legislation enacted at
the late session Of Congress gave the War
Department authority to transfer the sur
vivors. numbering 346. from Mount Ver-
non barracks, in Alabama, to any suita-
bic reservation. The department selected
as their future home the military lands
near Fort Sill. Indian Territory. where,
| under military SURVEILLANCE. the former
prisoners have been established in agri-
culture under conditions favorable to
| their advancement.
FOR SCHOF1ELD.
In recognition of the long and dis