The Portland daily press., 1894-12-04

Improves the discipline. training and esprit
de 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 three-foufths of the army is still
stationed we ST of the Mississippi. This care
fully matured policy which secures the best
and greatest service in the Interests of the
general welfare from the small force com
prising our regular army should mot be
thong htlessly embarrassed by the creation
of new and unnecessary posts through acts
of Congress TO crafty the ambitions or in
local strength of the same is Is, zoo men, the
effective strength through various causes is
but little over a0.0On Inen. The purpose of
Congress does not therefore seem to be full
" attained by the existing conditions
While no considerable Increase III the armies
in my Judgment, demanded by recent
events, the policy OF sea t coast protection in
steadily engaged for some years, has SO far
developed as to suggest that the effective
sire myth of the army be now Inade at least
equal to the legal strength. Measures taken
by the department during the year, as lnd1-
Gated, have already considerably aug
mented the effective force. ana the secre-
tary of War presents plan Wplch recon-
mend to the consideration oil congress, to
attai the desired end.
Economies affected in the department IN
other lines of its work will offset TO great
extent the expenditures involved IN the
proposition SUBMIT ed. Among other thlngs
this contemplates is the adoption OF me
three battalion formation or regiments
which for several years has been Endorsed
by the secretaries of War and the genera
commanding the army. Compact IN lisei,
IL provides Il skeleton organization ready 70
be filled out in the event of war, winch is
pecullarly adapted to our strength anu re-
qu1renents and the fact that every other
nation, with a single exception. has adopted
this formation to meet the conditions of
modern warfare, should alone secure foI the
recommendal1on an early consideration
II Is j.; haFaty necessary to recall the 1a b
Constitution, and the laws and for the
purpose OF protecting the property of the
United States, aiding the process of the
Federal courts and removing lawless OBJ
stIuctIons to the performance by the gov
eminent of it's legitimate functions it be-
came necessary in various localities during
the year to employ considerable portion
of the regular IL oops. The duty was dis
charged promptly, courag and witt
marked discretion by the officers and men,
afforded that the army deserves that COM
plete confidence in it's efficiency and dis
ciplinc which the country has at all times
manifested.
The year has been free from disturbances
by Indians and the chances of further
depredations on their part are con instantly
becoming more remote and improbable.
The total expenditures for he War De-
partment for he year ended June 80. 1894.
amounted to $50 O39, OC9.34. Of this sum ST.
J,6l4.9 so was for salaries and contingent
expenses S23, sos, 1856 Ii for the support of
the military establishment. S5,60l 6S2 20
for miscellaneous objects, and SIS, 37l. 300. 96
for public works. This latter sum inc ludes
$I9, 434. 037. 40 for river and harhor improve
ments and S3,947, 1886 for Qualifications.
and other works of defense. The appropri-
ations for the current year aggregates S52,-
429.1I2.7S. and the estimates submitted by
the Secretary of War for the next fiscal
year call for appropriations amounting to
The skill and industry of our. ordinance
officers ana inventors have. it is believed,
overcome the mechanical obstacles which
have heretofore delayed the armament of
our coasts. and this great national under
taking upon which we have entered may
now proceed as rapidly as Congress shall
of large calibre already on hand, to which
additions should now rapidly follow the wis
dom of providing carriages and emplace-
ments for their mount cannot be too strong
ly urged.
The total enrolment of the militia of the
several states Is liz 1913 Ulcers and enlisted
men, an increase of 5.345 orsr the number
reported at the close OF the previous year.
The reports of militia inspections by regu-
lar army ulcers snow Il marked increase in
the interest and efficiency among the state
organizations. and strongly recommend
continuance of the policy of effecting every
practical encouragement possible to this
important auxiliary of military establish
ment.
The condition of the Apache Indians held
as prisoners by the government for eight
years at a cost of half a million dollars has
ty to one which gives them an opportunity
to demonstrate their capacity for self sup
port. and at least partial civilization:
Congress. gave the War Department
authority to transfer the survivors, MUM
bering 346, from Mount Vernon barracks in
department selected as their future ZONE
the military lands near Fort Sill, Indian
Territory, where. under military surveil-
lance, the former prisoners have been estab-
GOn6lt10nS
favorable to their advancement,
In recognition of the long and distin-
charge of delicate and responsible civil
duties by Major General John M. Schotield.
now the general commanding the army, it
is suggested to Congress that p, the temporary
in,his behalf would oe just and gracious
act, and would permit his retirement now
near at hand, with rank bctitting his merits.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The report of the Attorney General notes
the gratifying progress made by the Su-
preme court in oyerco ming the arrears of
it's business and in reaching a condition in
which it will De 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 inaugu-
rating Circuit courts of appeals. In respect
to these tribunals the suggestion is made in
ton, 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 a greater force of judges
than the increasing business of such courts
requires. commend the suggestion to the
careful consideration of Congress. Other
important things are adverted to in the re-
port, accompanied by recommendations.
many of which have been treated at large in
previous messag es.and at this time therefore
need only be named. refer to the abolition
OF the fee system as measure of compensa-
ton to Federal officers, the enlargement of
the powers OF United States commissioners
at least In the territories, and the allowance
of wfits of error in criminal cases on behalf
OF the United States and the establishment
of degrees in the crime of murder.
A topic dealt with by the Attorney Gen.
eral of such Importance is the condition
OF the administration of Justice in the
Indian Territory. I he permanent solution
of what is called the Indian problem is
probably not to be expected at once, but
meanwhile such ameiorations of present
conditions as the existing sy stem will admit
of ought not to be neglected. i am satisfied
there should be Federal court established
for the territory with sufficient judges, and
that this court should sit within the terri
tory and have the same jurisdiction as to
territ orial affairs. as is now vested In the
Federal courts sitting in Arkansas aLd
Texas.
Aootb her Snbioct Of procSiuy moment e.