Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1894-12-07

$O.73l3 per fine ounce. The total
amount of silver purchased from the
time that law took effect until the re-
peal OF its purchasing clause, on the
date last mentioned, was 168, 674, $50 So
fine ounces for which $155, 931 ,002 rs
was paid, the average price per fine
ounce being $0.0244.
The War Department.
From the report of the secretary of
war it appears that the strength of the
army on September 30, 1894, was >, 1885
officers and 25,7 65 enlisted men. Al
though this is apparently a very slight
decrease, compared with the previous
year, the actual effective force has been
increased to the equivalent of nearly two
regiments through the organization Of
the system of recruiting and the COnse-
quent release to regimental duty OF a
large force of men hitherto serving at
the recruiting depots. The abolition Of
these depots, 1t is predicted, will further
more effect an annual reduction appoxi-
mating $3.50, 900, in the direct expendi-
lures, besides promoting generally the
health, morals and discipline OF the
troops. The execution of the policy Of
concentrating the army at important
fOrshadoWed in the last annual report of
the secretary, has resulted in the aban-
donment of 10 of the smaller posts,
which was effected under a plan which
assembled organizations of the same
regiments hitherto widely separated.
This renders our small! force more read
lily effective for any service which they
may be called upon to perform, in
creases the extent of the territory under
protection without diminishing the
security heretofore afforded to any
locality, improves the dicipline, train
ing and esprit-du-corps of the army,
besides considerably decreasing the cost
Of its maintenance. Though the forces
Of the department OF the East have
been somewhat increased, more than
hree-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 small forces compr sing our regular
army, should not be thoughtessly en-
harrassed bv the creation of new and
unnecessary posts through acts of con-
gress to crafty the ambitions or in
terests of localities. While the maxi
mum legal strength, through various
causes, is but little over 10000 men, the
purpose OF congress does not therefore
seem to be fully attained by the exist
ing conditions. While no considerable
increase in the arm Y is, in my judg-
ment, demanded by recent events, the
policy of sea coast Notifications in the
prosecution OF which we have been
steadily engaged for some years, has so
far developed as to suggest that the
effective strength of the army be now
made at least equal to the legal
strength.
COST OF THE ARMY.
The total expenditures for the war de-
partment for the year ending June 80,
1894, amounted to 500, OBS, 0O9 81. OF
this sum $2,0OO,614 90 was for salaries
and contingent expenses, S23, 665, 1856 IS
for the support of the military estab-
lishments, $5,00l ,632 % for miscel-
laneous objects, and $25, 81, 155 80 for
public works. This latter sum includes
$40 ,494, 037 40 for river and harbor inn
provements, and SO, 974, 1868 56 for forth
iications and other works of defense.
The appropriations for the current year
aggregated $52, 429, l12 70, and the esti
mates submitted by the secretary OF
war for the next fiscal year call for APP
preparations amounting to $685.
629 So.
The skill and industry of our ordi-
nance officers and inventors have, it is
believed, overcome the mechanical OBJ
stacles which have heretofore delayed
the armament OF our coasts. This great
national undertaking upon which we
have entered may now proceed as rap
idly as congress shall determine. With
supply OF finished guns of large cali
Der already on hand to which additions
should now rapidly follow, the wisdom
OF providing carriages and emplacement
for their mount cannot be too strongly
urged.
The total enrolment Of the militia OF
the several states is III ,533 officers and
enlisted men, an increase of 5,343 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 l
strongly recommend a continuance Of
the policy of ahording every practical
encouragement possible to this i'm
portant auxiliary of our military estab-
lishment.
INDIAN PRISONERS.
The condition of he Apache Indians
held as prisoners by the government for