Red Lodge picket. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1889-1907, 1894-12-08
IN THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
The President Speaks Of Centraiizins
Troops at Big Posts.

Troops at Big Posts.
From the report of the secretary of
war, it apears that the strength of the
army on September 80, 1894, was 2,135
officers and 25,765 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 reorganiz-
alton Of the system of recruiting and
the consequent release to regimentel
duty Of large force OF men hitherto
serving at the recruiting depots The
abolition of these depotS, it IS predict
ed, will furthermore effect an annual
reduction approxima ting $250,000 in the
direct expenditures, besides promoting
generally the health. morals and disci-
pline of the troops.
CENTRAL1ZE THE TROOPS.
The execution of the policy Of con-
centrating the army at important CEN
res of population and transportat ton,
foreshadowed in the last annual report
Of the secretary, has resulted in the
abandonment of Is Of the smaller posts,
which was effected under a 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; increases the extent of territory
under protection without diminishing
the security heretofore afforded to any
locality; 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 three-fourths of the
army is 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.
SEACOAST FORTIFICATION.
While the maximum legal strength
through various causes is but little over
10000 men, the purpose of congress
does not therefore seem to be fully at
tanned by the existing conditions. While
no cOnsidera BILE increase in the army is
in my judgment demanded by recent
events, the policy of the sea coast for
tificationS, in the prosecution of which
we have been speedily 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 Measures by the
department during the year as indi-
Gated have already considerably aug
mented the effective force, and the sec
retary of war presents a plan which |
recommend to the consideration OF con-
gress to attain the desired end. Econ
omes effected in the department IN
other lines of work will offset TO a great
extent the expenditure involved IN the
propositions submitted. Among other
things this contemplated the adoption
Of the battalion formation of regi-
ments, which for several years has been
indorsed by the secretaries OF war and
the generals commanding the army.
Compact in itself, it provides skeleton
organiZa ton, ready to be filled out III
the event of war, which is peculiarly
adapted to our strength and require
ments, and the fact that every other
nation with single exception, has
adopted this formation to meet the cen
ditions of modern warfare. should alone
secure for the recommendation an
early consideration.
INTERNAL TROUBLES.
1t is hardly necessary to recall the
fact that in obedience to the commands
OF the constitution and the laws and
for the purpose of protecting the prop
erty of the United States, aiding the
process of federal courts and removing
lawless distractions to the perform
ance by the government of it's necessary
mate functions, it became necessary
in various localities during the year
| to employ considerable portion Of
| the regular troops. Their duty was dis
| charged promptly, coura geously and
| with marked discretion by the officers
and men, and the most gratifying proof
| was thus afforded that the army de-
serves that complete confidence in its
efficiency and discipline which the
country has at all times manifested.
The year has been free from disturb
ances of Indians and the chances of
further depredatio on their part are
becoming more remote and improbable.
EXPENDITURES.
| The total expenditures of the. war de-
1894, amounted to 56,o39, ,009 Of this
| sum. 1000, ,61499 was for salaries and