Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1894-12-06


over 2O,OO0 men. The purpose of congress does
not, therefore. seem to be fully attained by the
existing condition, while considerable in
crease in the army is in my Judgment demand
ed by recent events
The policy Of sea coast Notifications in pros
ecution OF whichwe have been steadily engaged
suggest that the effective strength Of the army
be now made at least equal to the legal strength.
Measures taken by the department during the
year, as indicated. have already augmented the
enective force, and the secretary of war pre-
sents plan. which recommend to the consid-
Grafton of congress, to attain the desired end
Economies effected in the department in other
lines of its work will Offset to great extent
the expenditure involved in the proposition
submitted Among other things this contem-
plates the adoption of the three battalion for
nation of regiment which for several years has
been Endorsed by the secretaries of war and the
generals commanding the army. Compact in
itself, it provides skeleton organization ready
to be billed out in the event OF war, which is
peculiarly adapted to our strength and require
mentS; and the fact that every other nation,
with a single exception, has adopted this for
nation to meet the conditions of modern war
fare, should alone secure for the recommended
ton an early consideration. 1t is hardly nee
eSSary to recall the fact that in obedience to
the constitution and the laws and for the pur-
pose OF protecting the property of the
United States aiding the process of
federal courts and removing lawleSS obstruc-
lions to the performance by the governments Of
its legitimate functions it became necessary in
various localities during the year to employ a
considerable portion of the regular troops. The
duty was discharged promptly, Courageously
and with marked discretion by the officers and
men and the most gratifying proof was thus at
forded that the army deserves that complete
confidence in its efficiency and discipline which
the country has at all times manifested.
The total expenditures for the war Depart
ment for the year ending June 80, 1894,
amounted to $50. O39 0O9.3L Or this sum 81 OOO.-
6l499 was for salaries and contingent expen-
49,
establishment; IS. 0O1 682. % for miscellaneous
objects, and SIS, 81 1886 for public works.
This latter sum includes S19,49f037. 40 for river
and harbor Improvements and S3,947 1863. Sc for
Notifications and other works of defense.
The appropriations for the current year ag
gregate $52I429, 11278, and the estimates sub
mittcd by the secretary of war for the next ifs
cal year call for appropriations amounting to
S523 500. 50.
The skill AMI industry OF our ordnance off,
cerSand inventors have, it is beHeved,t over
come the mechanical obstacles which have
heretofore delayed the armament of our coasts,
and this great national underta king upon which
we have entered may now proceed as rapidly
as congress shall determine, with a supply Of
finished guns of large caliber already on hand
to which additions should now rapidly follow.
The wisdom of providing carriages and
placements for their mount cannot be too
strongly urged. The total enrolment of the
militia of the several states is 117,7j3 officers
and enlisted men, an increase of 5,343 over the
year. The reports of militia inspection by
regular army officers show q marked increase
in interest and efficiency among the state
CARNATIONS, and strongly recommend con-
tlnuance of the policy of affording every prac-
tical encouragement possible to this important
auxiliary of our military establishment. The
condition OF the Apache Indians, held as prison
erS by the government for eight years at a cost
of half a million dollars has been changed dur
ing 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
the war department authority to transfer
In recognition of the long and distinguished
military services and faithful discharge of
delicate and responsible civil duties by Maj
Gen. John M. Schofield, now the general COM
handing the army, it is suggested to congress
that the temporary revival of the grade of
lieutenant general in his behalf would be a
just and gracious act, and would permit his re-
tirement now near at hand with rank BETTING
his merits.
The Department OF Justice.
The report OF the Encouragement notes the
gratifying progress made by the supreme court
in overcoming the arrears of its business and
in reaching a condition in which it will be able
to dispose Of cases as they arise without any
unreasonable delay. This result is of course
very largely due to the successful working of
the plan inaugurating circuit courts of appeals.
In respect to these tribunals the suggestion is
made in quarters entitled to the highest con-
sideration that an additional circuit judge for
each circuit would greatly strengthen
these courts and the confidence
reposed in their adjudication, and
that such an addition would not create a
greater force OF JUICES than the increasing
business of such courts requires The pernla-
nent solution of what is called the Indian prob
lem is probably not to be expected at once, but
meanwhile such amelioratiOns Of present con-
ditions as the existing system will admit ought
not to be neglected. am satisfied there should
be federal court established for the territory
with sufficient judges and that this court should
sit within the territory and have the same jur-
isdiction as to territorial affairs is
vested in the federal courts sitting in Arkansas
and Texas
Another subject of pressing moment referred
to by the attorney general is the reorgan1za-
ton of the Union Pacific Railroad Co. on
a basis equitable as regards all private inter-
eSts and as favorable to the government as ex-
listing conditions will permit. The operation
of a railroad by court through receiver is
an anomalous state Of things which should be
terminated on all grounds, pubic and private,
at the earliest possible moment.
It is not my purpose at this time to repeat
the considerations which make an inpregna Bile
case in favor of the ownership and manage
ment by the government Of the penal institu-
tions in which federal prisoners are confined
I simply desire to again urge former recon-
mendations on the subject and to particularly
call the attention of the congress to that part
of the report of the secretary OF war, In which
he states that the military prison at Fort
Leavenworth. Kan, can be turned over to the
government as q prison for federal convfcts
without the least dih1culty and with an actual
saving OF money from every point OF view
Post Office Affairs.