The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1894-12-08
CAPITALIZATION OF raoors.

CAPITALIZATION or TROOPS.
1as frssidsns Satisfied VITA prs...t =.
eatisss.
~ mas been the policy OF the govern
nenI 70 centralize the army at conyen.
tent points and during the past year
'iiis policy has been extensively carried
ous aad the soldiers are now located at
such points 80 that il the recon-.
mendations Of the president and score
Iafy OF war are followed by congress no
more changes will be made at the pres
cht time and Spokane's air castles
regarding q big army post win cease to
u'sturo the dreams of her people and
they can relapse into the auietude OF
the Deserted Village" The president
In h's message to congress deals quite
extensively with the subject as follow .
Inc execution of the policy of con.
eehtrating the army at important cen.
Tres OF population and transportation,
ioreshadowed 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
assembled the organizations OF the
same regiments hitherto widely sepa.
rated. This renders our small force
more readily effective for any service
which they may be called upon to per-
form; increase the extent OF territory
under protection without diminishing
the security heretofore afforded to any
loo ality; improves the discipline, train
Ing and esprit 80, of the army.
besides considerably decreasing the cost
Of its maintenance.
Though the forces Of the Department
OF the east have been somewhat in.
creased, more than three fourths of the
army lis still stationed west Of the
Mississippi. This carefully matured
policy. which secures the best and the
greatest service in the interest of the
general welfare from the small force
comprising our regular army, should
not be thoughtlessly embarrassed by
the creation Of new and unnecessary
posts. through the acts of congress to
crafty the ambitions or interests Of
localities"
The secretary Of war, In his annual
report also says that further changes
and concentrations are unnecessary.
Ills recommendations are rs follows:
"On June 30. 1898. the army was dis.
tribused among ninety-fye independent
posts. During the last year the number
OF posts were reduced to eighty, with
garrisons ranging from GO to ITO men.
The aggregate area of the military res
erva,ions abandoned since the last an
nual report Is upwards OF 3s.0oo.
Ten of the twenty FIVE regiments of
infantry lave been concentrated al
single posts. Sixteen garrisons now
exceed in strength full regiment of in
fan,ry. and twenty-five Others consist
Of from four 10 seven companies each.
Nine posts remain garrisoned by single
companies, and fourteen by only two
companies each. Except so far as de.
termincd by acts of congress for the
creation of posts. the disposition OF the
army has been made, according TO the
best judgment Of the department to
obtala ti.s moS, useful results for the
country from the force available"
The attitude Of the administration il
certainly an indication that favors the
retention Of Fort Sherman at this place
hu, Spokane is desperate, bankrupic,
Is staring her In the face and she will
resort 10 any means, no matter how dis
reputable. 10 save her from the newt
able ruin that now consronts her, con
seqnenily our people must not be idle
We must retain the post and have Il
enlarged through the efforts of ouI
representatives In congress. The com
mi,,ees having the matter in charg,
should lose no time In completing ,hei
work. 4. 4. Newbery, one Of Spo
kane's bankrupt bankers. has gone {.
Washington with money collected from
The people for the purpose Of securing
the pos; aud the Misrepresentation
that he will make must be met witt
facts.
! We certainly have an advantage owe
Spokane in many respects and shonl
be successful in our efforts. The Spc
kcsman Review has repeatedly d.
nounced John l.. Wilson as man VIII
can accomplish nothing for Spokane
The state has but one senator, while "
have two senators and one congresma,
all three able and hard working men
beers, who will make a strong fight fo
us, consequently we have great Al
vantage over Spokane in the halls {
congress. The post Is already hel
with its buildings and grounds aud
admitted to be the healthiest post
the country. The location could NJ
be improved upon. 1t is within q
, hours run by rail three transcontinen
, al railroad lines and has many oth'
! advantages not possessed by Spokan
). II our people do their duty Fort She
man will be enlarged and become
fixture here. Now is the time TO act.
The Fort Sherman correspondent I
the Spokesman, Review, in last Satu
days issue, says:
at the people Of Spokane will be. p