The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1894-12-11

sft. It Is predicted will further
= W Bl reduction approximate
fsel e penditufes, besides
J & health. moral ana dis
a1.ac, OF concentrating
, 1t oenters OF popu-
, OCT ton. foreshadowed
" OF The sec
Ted In the abandonment
fcn sfialler posts, which was ef-
'5t which assemblies organi-
tsments hitherto widely
leaders our small forces
a q for any service which
,rr TO perform, increases
9. ttnry under protection
the security heretofore
aG atty. improves the disct-
pm i4s SKI esprit de corps of the
wA et-. Gerably decreasing the cost
lie noe Ihough the forces of the
cl. " The east have been somewhat
ne as d. orc than three-fourths OF
TIC Nrms is still stationed west Of
the Miss ,pti This carefully matured policy,
= watch soc pres h. best and greatest service in
the interests 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 acts of congrcss TO crafty the ambi-
tions or interests of localities.
While the maximum legal strength Of the
army is Is 900 men the effective strength
! through various causes is but little over 20,0OO
men. The purpose OF congress does not there
fore, seem TO be fully attained by the existing
condition Viii no considerable increase in
| demanded BY recent events the
policy OF sea coast fortiHcation, in the pros
! ecution OF which we have been steadily en-
! gagged for some years has 50 far developed as
to 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
| considerably augmented the effective force,
| and the secretary of war presents plan which
recommend to the consideration of congress-,
to attain the desired end. Economics effected
in the department In other lines of its work
will offset to great extent the
expenditure involved in the proposition SUBJ
United Among other things this contemplates
enc adoption Of the three battalion formation
of regiments, 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 filled out in the event of war, which
Is peculiarly adapted to our strength and re-
quirements: and the fact that every other ma
ton, with single exception, has adopted this
formation to meet the conditions of modern
warfare, should alone secure for the recon-
mendation an early consideration.
IT is hardly necessary TO recall the fact
constitution and the laws, and for the
purpose of protecting the property of
the United States, aiding the process OF
federal courts and removing lawless obstruc- |
tions to the performance by the government OF |
its legitimate functions, it became necessary
in various localities during the year to employ |
considerable portion of the regular troops.
The duty was discharged promptly courage
ously and with marked discretion by the Off
GERS and men. and the most gratifying proof
was thus Afforded that the army deserves that
complete confidence in its efficiency and dis
cipline which the country has at all times
manifested.
The skill and industry of our ordnance off,
GERS and inventors have, it is believed, over
come the mechanical obstacles which have
heretofore delayed the armament of our coasts,
and this great national undertaking upon
which we have entered may now proceed as
rapidly as congress shall determine
The total enrolment of the militia Of the
several states is 1l75S3 officers and enlisted
men, an increase Of 5,343 over the number re-
ported at the close of the previous year.
In recognition of the long and distinguished
military services and faithful discharge of del
icate and responsible civil duties by Maj.-G
John M Schoteld, now the general command
ing the army. it is suggested to congress that
the temporary revival of the grade of lieuten-
ant-general would be just and gracious act
and would permit his retirement now near OF
hand with rank betting his merits.
The report of the attorney general notes the
gratifying progress made by the supreme court
in overcoming the arrears Of it's business and
In reaching 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 APP
pesls.
Other important topics are adverted to 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 refer to the abolition OF
the fee system as q measure of CONDENSATION ,
to federal officers: the enlargement of the pow
ers OF U. S. commissioners. at least in the ter
rttories, the allowance of writs of error in
criminal cases on behalf OF the United States
Ind the establishment OF degrees in the crime
If murder = Y
Another subject Of pressing moment re- S
erred to by the attorney general is the reor- I
OF the Union Pacific Railroad Co. on S
basis equitable as regards all private inter-
'sts and as favorable to the government as ex. I
sting conditions will permit. The operation OF
railroad by court through receiver is an |
state OF things which should be /
erminated on all grounds, public and private d
I the earliest possible moment {
Eight years ago in my annual message [
rged upon the congress as strongly as could y
he location and construction OF two prisons
or the confinement Of United States prisoners 2
! similar recommendation has been made from 2
ime to time since, and a few years ago a law .
vas passed providing for the selection OF sites
or three such institutions No appropriation e
las, however been made to carry the act into a
feet, and the old and discreditable condition O
till exists = n
me report OF the postmaster-ge general pre- o
ents comprehensive statement OF the opera a
ions OF the post office department. for the last s
seal year. 1,
The receipts of tire department during the q
ear amounted to s750S0, 479.0 4 and the expend- {
ures to .Si324,4l4I5. u
The transactions OF the postal service a
Indicate with barometric certainty the Il
fluctuations In the business OF the coun- b
~. IRasmuch. therefore, as business C
complications continued to exist throughout n
he last year to an unforeseen extent IL Is not 4
uprising that the deficiency OF revenue &c
meet the expenditures OF the post ONCE de- Il
artment which was estimated In advance al .
bout eight million dollars. should be exceed. 9
d by nearly Que and quarter million dollars L
he entertained revenues, OF the last year n
Which we're the basis OF calculation for the cur.
ent year, being less than estimated. the de. I
ciency for the current year will be corre- G.
pOndingly greater, though the postmaster T.
eneral states that the latest Indications are p
o favorable that he confidently predicts an In.