The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1894-12-06

these departments. it Is predicted, will fnrthef-
moro affect an annual reduction approximat-
ing $50, 900 in the direct expenditures, besides
promoting generally the health, moral and DIS
ctpline ofthe troops
The execution of the policy Of concentrating
the army at important centers OF popu,
lation and transportation, foreshadowea
in the last annual report of the sec
rotary. has resulted in the abandonment
of fifteen Of the smaller posts, which was Ell
fected under plan which assemblies oreahi-
cations OF the same regiments hitherto W1oei1
separated. This renders our small iotces
more readily effective for any service WHICH
they may be called upon to perform, increases
the extent Of the territory under protectioh
without diminishing the security beretoloIe
afforded to any locality, improves the discl-
pline. training 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
increased. more than three-fourtnS y.
the army is still stationed ~ess VI
the Mississippi. This carefully matureo poi'cy'
which secures the best and greatest service III
the interests of the general welfare from .no
small force comprising our regular army
should not be thoughtlessly embarrassed oy
the creation of new and unnecessary posts
through acts OF congress to crafty the aIhpi-
lions or interests OF localities.
While the maximum legal strength OF the
army Is $4,000 men the effective stIehstn
through various causes is but little over S"'Vo"
men. The purpose OF congress does not theie-
fore seem to be fully attained by the existing
condition. While no considerable increase IL
the army is in my 1uosm. CIV
demanded by recent events Inc
nolicp of sea coast fertilization, in the pros
ecution OF which we have been steadlly Gu
gagged for some years, has SO far developed as
to suggest that the effective strength OF inc
army be now made at least equal to the lesai
| strength. Measures taken by the department
| during the year, as indicated, have aireaoy
| considerably augmented the effective loree'
| and the secretary Of war presents q plan' "nAen
| recommend to the consideration OF congress,
! to attain the desired end Economies enecIeu
in the department in other lines OF us WIN
| will Offset to great extent INC
| ,ernenditure involved in the proposition SUD-
| mitted. Among other things this contempiates
| the adoption OF the three battalion formatloh
| of regiments, which for several years mas oeen
| Endorsed by the secretaries OF war anu lno
generals commanding the army. Compact AZ
| itself, it provides q skeleton organlza.lon !,
ready to be filled out in the event OF war "nlcA
is peculiarly adapted to our strength ano 10
| ouirements; and the fact that every other n':-
! ton, with single exception. has adopted Inns
formation to meet the conditions Of modern
warfare. should alone secure for the recon-
mendation an early consideration.
1t Is hardly necessary TO recall the iao
that In obedience to the commands OF tne
constitution and the laws and for thf
purpose OF protecting the properly
the United States, aiding the process
federal courts and removing laWlesS oossiuo
lions to the performance by the government
its legitimate func lions, it became necessar.
L
n considerable portion OF the regular troops
The duty was discharged promptly, courage
ously and with marked discretion by the OH
| GERS and men, and the most gratifying pIoo
was thus afforded that the army deserves liza
complete confidence in its efficiency ana ois
ciplne which the country mas NJ al 'ilio
manifested "a
; The skill and industry OF our ordnance oll
cers and inventors have, 1t Is believed, over
come ,he mechanical obstacles which nav
!, heretofore delayed the armament OF our co"st'
and this great national undertaking uPo
which we have entered may now proceeu
rapidly as congress shall determine
r,he total enrolment OF the militia OF I'll
= several states IS 1883 officers ana cniste
: men, an increase OF 5,343 over the NUMBER II
ported Mt the close OF the previous year.
In recognition OF the long and distinguisnt
military services and faithful discharge OF ue
icate and responsible civil duties by Mal-Ge
John M. Schoheld now the general commune
u inc the army, it is suggested to congress I'M
VI tho temporary revival Of the grade OF neutel
: ont-peneral would be a just and gracious ~
:; and would permit his retirement now near
- hand with rank BETTING his merits.
II The report OF the attorney general notes u
gratifying progress made by the supreme cou
in overcoming the arrears OK us ,, ~
in reaching condition in which II VIII DC ap
= "a disnose OF cases rs they arise without o.
rnraosonablc DELAY This result IS. OF cours
IL very largely due to the successful WORKING
the MAN iuauguratng circuit courts Oh
=, pealS :, =
& Otber imDortant topics are advcrted TO IN
~. report accompanied by recommendation
many OF which have been treated Ut i@tso
n previous messages, and ut this time, tneieio
need only be named reter 10 INC "ooiIs.o =,
~ the fee system as q measure OF compensate
,o "a federal officers: the enlargement OF the po
III oro ~ TT G commissioners, at least IN the u
ry ritories the allowance OF writS OF error
a. criminal cases on behalf OF the United Sta'
NJ and the establishment OF degrees In the GIL
- of murder.
~ Another subject OF pressing moment
"a Yerred to by the attorney general Is ING le
panization OF tho Union PACING halifoau ~.
90 basis equitable as regards ali prisa.. ,n.
NC ests and as favorable to the government as
Jul tstinc conditions will permit. The operation
,sI a railroad by o court through receiver Is
5io anomalous state OF things which should
Oh Terminated on all grounds, public and priva
W at the earliest possible moment.
us Eioht wears ago in my annual messas
~ urged upon the congress as strongly aS eo'
d the location and construction OF TWO prs
'e- for the confinement Of United states Prison'
similar recommendation has oeen 1haoe II
AIS tine n time since and q few years ago q
ice ..s.ad nrov;dnp for the selection OF s!
Is Tor three such institutions. No appropriat
leu hoo however, been made to carry the act
IN a,oct and the old and discreditable conan
$50, en ',, o..
Ihe The report OF the postmaster-eenerai
SCENTS a comprehensive statement OF she OPP
200 tiohs VI sno Wv
ich The receipts Of the department during
ed; wear amounted TO SIS 08O, 79.04 and the e3pe
y ~ lures to SSi, 32244l4.15
nor The transactions OF the postal ser
,ndicnte with barometric certainty
Ion tMctuations In the business OF tn9 &C
was trv Inasmueh, therefore, as ouslI
the ony,,t,cotions continued to exist through
ana the last wear to an unforeseen extent II is
OF snrnr;stno that the deficiency OF revenue
age meet the expenditures Of the post once
eno nartment, which was estimated III ao'an.
IIic ahort eight million dollars, should De exc
com Cd nv nearly one and quarter mliilon aon
iicn The ascertained revenues, OF inc iass
er. which were the basis OF calculation ZOE sno
ring rent year, being less than estimateu' 'ae
'i.a, fciency for the current year VIII oe =.
' i've suondingly greater, though Inc POSI-
ion pp.ara1 states that the latest Indication.
1900 genera. ,,a ~ be confidently predicts al
TO- OF at least eight per cent IN the reve
Q Oh =, tho eurrent wear over those OF tne 1ast
cling M, o,-,and;tures increase steadily ana ut