Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1894-12-06

the system of recruiting and the conse-
ouent release TO regimentaL duty oil d
large force Of men hitherto serving at
the recruiting depots. The abolition OF
these depots, it is predicted, will further
more effect an annual reduction appoXi-
mating $3.50, 900, in the direct eXpendi-
tnres. besides promoting generally the
i,.,',h morals and discipline OF the
tiuyp-. The execution of the policy OF
concentrating the army at important
centers of population and transportation,
forshadowed in the last annual report OF
the secretary, has resulted in the aban-
donment 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
ily effective for any service which they
NAV 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
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 thoughtlessIy EN-
barrassed 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 army 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 Sc
far developed as to suggest that the
effective strength of the army be nov
made at least equal to the lega
strength.
COST OF THE ARMY.
The total expenditures for the war de
partment for the year ending June 80
1894, amounted to $56,030, ,009 "a. o
this sum $2,000,614 80 was for salaries
and contingent expenses, S23 ,665, 1856 II
for the support OF the military estab
lishments, $5,00l ,632 % for miscel
laneous objects, and 25,37l ,l55 80 fol
public works. This latter sum includes
$40, ,404 ,037 40 for river and harbor i'm
provements, and 1894, 1868 56 for forti
lications and other works of defense
The appropriations for the current yea
aggregated S52, ,420, l12 73, and the esti
mates submitted by the secretary o
war for the next fiscal year call for ap
preparations amounting to $52,3lS,
629 90.
The skill and industry OF our ordi
nance officers and inventors have, it il
believed, overcome the mechanical OBJ
stacles which have heretofore delayed
the armament OF our coasts. This grea
national undertaking upon which W.
have entered may now proceed as rap
idly as congress shall determine. Witt
a supply of finished guns of large cali
ber already on hand to which addition
should now rapidly follow, the wisdom
of providing carriages and emplacemen
for their mount cannot be too strongl
urged.
The total enrolment OF the militia Q
the several states is III, ,533 officers ant
enlisted men, an increase of 5,343 owe
the number reported at the close of tn
previous year. The reports of militi
inspections by regular army officer
show marked increase in interest an
efficiency in state organizations, and
strongly recommend continuance G
the policy OF aflording every practica
encouragement possible to this i'm
portant auxiliary of our military estah
lishment.
INDIAN PRISONERS.
The condition of the Apache Indian
held as prisoners by the government 70
eight years at cost OF $500, 900 has bee
changed during the year from captivit
to one which gives them an opportunit
to demonstrate their capacity for sell
support and at least partial civilization
Legislation enacted at the latest session
OF congress gave the war department
authority to transfer the survivors, VIII
number $40, from Mount Vernon bar
racks, in Alabama, to many suitabl
reservations. The department selecte,
as their future home the military land
near Fort Sill, Indian territory, where
under military surveillance, the forme
prisoners have been established il
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 Johl
NJ. Schotield, now general commandin.
the army, it is suggested to congress
that the temporary revival OF the grade
OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT in his behal
would be just and gracious act, anC
would permit his retirement now nea
at hand with rank beftting his merits
Department of Justice.
The report OF the attorney-genera
notes the gratifying progress made b,
the supreme court in overcoming the ar
rears OF its business and in reaching s
condition in which it will be able to dis
pose OF the cases as they arise without
any reasonable delay. This result is, O