The Helena independent., 1894-12-04
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Decided Increase in the Effective Force OF
the Army.

] tNE ANlys
From the report of the secretary OF
war il appears that the strength of the
army on Sept S0 1894. was 2iS5 officers,
and g5.76S enlli'ed II n,
/ The execution Ot the policy OF conccn-
tratlng the army AZ important eenters
Of population and transportation, fore
shudowcd In the last annual report ot
the secretary. has resulted In the Abnu-
donment OF ftfteen OF the smaller posts,
which was effected under plan which
assembled organizations OF the snmr
regiment hitherto widely separated,
This renders our small forces moro read
ily effective Tor any service which they
may be called upon To-, perform, in
creases the extent Of The territory un-
der protection Without diminishing the
security heretofore afforded To any To-
cality, improves the discipline, train
ing and esprit de corps OF the army,
besides considerably decreasing the cost
OF It's maintenance.
Though the forces OF the department
OF the east have been somewhat IN
creased. more than threo-fourths OF the
army is still stationed west OF the Miss
isslppl This carefully matured policy,
which secures the best and greatest
service in the interest Of the general
welfare from the small force eompris-
Ing our regular army, should not be
thoughtlessly embarrassed by the crea-
tiun fof new and unnecessary posts
through acts OF congress to crafty the
ambitions or interests OF localities.
Ii Is hardly necessary 10 recall the
fact that in obedience 10 the commands
of the constitution and the laws, and
for the purpose of protecting the prop
erty OF the United States, aiding the pro-
cess OF federal courts, and removing
lawlcss obstructions 10 the perform
ance by the government of It's legisla-
tive functions, II became necessary IN
various localities during the year 10
employ a considerable portion OF the
regular troops. The duty was dischared
promptly, courageously and with
marked discretion by the officers ana
men, and the most gratifying PROOF was
thus afforded that the army deserves
that complete confidence In It's efficiency
and discipline which the country mas at
all times manifested.
THE total expenditures for the war de-
partment for the year ending June 80,
sgt a. 0untei to St6.cis COG 20. or this
sum s. 600, 6l4.99 was for salaries and
contingent expenses, 1923, ,d65, l56 10 for the
support OF the military establishments,
81. .OOl, ,6S2 % for miscellaneous objects,
and sos. .S71. 1896 for public works. This
latter sum includes S19 ,494, ,0SI49 for river
and harbor Improvement and SS,SI4,-
SG3 SO for Notifications and other works
Of defense. The appropriations for the
current year aggregated s52, 429, ll2.lS,
and the estimates submitted by the
secretary of war for the next fiscal year
call for appropriations amounting TO
S52, ,31S, ,629.55,
The total enrolment OF the militia OF
the several states is l17,5S3 officers and
enlisted men. an Increase OF 5.3iS over
the number reported at the close of the
previous year. The reports of militia
inspections by regular army officers
show a marked increase In interest and
efficiency in state organizations. and ]
strongly recommend n continuance OF
the policy OF affordlng every practical
encouragement possible TO this impor-
tant auxiliary of our military establish
ment.
In recognition OF the long and dis
tinguished military services and faith
full discharge of the delicate and re-
sponslble civil duties by Major General
John NJ Schotield. now general com
manding the army, IL Is suggested TO
congress that the temporary revival
Of the grade OF lieutenant general in his
behalf would be a just and gracious
act, and would permit his retirement,
now near at hand, with rank behtting
his merits