The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1894-12-13

concentrating the army at important
centers of population and transportation,
forshadowed in the last annual report of
the secretary, has resulted in the aban-
Comment of Is 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- 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
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 small forces comprising our regular
army, should not be thoughtlessly en-
barrassed by 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 $56,039, 900 "a. OF
this sum $4,000, 614 80 was for salaries
and contingent expenses, $23, 665, 1856 Is
for the support of the military estab-
lishments, $5,OO1, 632 % for miscel-
laneous objects, and $25, 81 ,155 80 for
public works. This latter sum includes
$40, 494 ,O37 40 for river and harbor i'm
provements, and 1874, 1863 56 for forth
tications and other works of defense.
The appropriations for the current year
aggregated $52, 429, 112 70, and the esti-
mates submitted by the secretary of
war for the next fiscal year call for ap-
preparations amounting to $52, 318,-
629 55.
| 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
q 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 marked increase In interest and
efficiency in state organizations, and !!
strongly recommend a continuance OF
the policy of affording every practical
encouragement possible to this i'm
portant auxiliary of our military estab-
lishment.
INDIAN PRISONERS.
The condition of the Apache Indians
held as prisoners by the government for
eight years at a cost of $500, 900 has been
changed during the year from captivity
to one which gives them an opportunity
to demonstrate their capacity for self
support and at least partial civilization.
Legislation enacted at the latest session
of congress gave the war department
authority to transfer the survivors, who
number 346, from Mount Vernon bar
racks, in Alabama, to many suitable
reservations. 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
agriculture under conditions favorable
to their advancement.
In recognition of the long and distin-
guished military services and faithful
discharge of the delicate and respon-
sible civic duties by Major-General John
M. SchOfeld, now general commanding
the army, it is suggested to congress
that the temporary revival of the grade
of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT in his behalf
would be Just and gracious act, and
at hand with rank befitting his merits.
Department. of Justice.
The report OF the encouragement
notes the gratifying progress made by
the supreme court in overcoming the ar
rears OF it's business and in reaching a
condition in which it will be able to dis
pose of the cases as they arise without
any reasonable delay. This result is, of
course, very largely due to the success
full working of the plan inaugurating cir
cult courts of appeals. In respect to
these tribunals a suggestion is made in
quarters entitled to the highest consid-
Grafton, that an additional circuit judge
for each circuit would greatly strengthen
these courts and the confidence reposed
in their adjudications, and that such an
addition would not create greater force
of judges than the increasing business OF
such courts requires. L commend the
suggestions to the careful consideration
of congress. Other important topics are
advocated in the report, accompanied
by recommendations, many of which
have been treated at large in previous
messages and at this time, therefore,
need only be named. l refer to the
abolition of the fee system as a measure
of compensation to federal officers; the
enlargement of the powers of United
States commissioners at least in the ter
ritories; the allowance of writs of error
in criminal cases on behalf of the United
States, and the establishment of grade
by congress in the crime of murder. A
topic dealt with by the encouragement
of much Importance is the condition of
the administration of justice in the In
dian territory. The permanent solution