The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1894-12-08

iorshadowed in the last annual report OF
| the secretary, has resulted in the aban.
donment OF ID OF the smaller posts,
which WAS effected under . plan which
assembled organizations OF the came
regiments hitherto widely separated.
This renders our email! force more read.
ny effective for any service which they
may 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-dn.corps Of the army,
besides considerably decreasing the cost
o. its maintenance. Though the forces
Of the department OF the East have
been somewhat increased. more than
three,fo1rths OF the army j. 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 email forces comprising our regular
army, should not be thonghtiessly en-
barrassed by 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. ia 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 10, in my judg-
ment, demanded by recent events, the
policy OF Tea coast Notifications in the
prosecution OF which we have been
steadily engaged for some years, has 80
far developed AZ to suggest that the
effective strength OF the army be now
made at least equal to the legal
strength.
COST OF THE ARMY.
The total expenditures for the war de-
partment for the year ending June 80,
1894, amounted to $50, 039 ,0O9 "a. OF
this sum IL, 000. 6l4 90 was for salaries
aud contingent expenses, $23, 665, l56 10
Tor the support o! the military estab-
Iishments. 5000, 632 % for miscel-
laneous objects, and SIS. 81 ,l55 20 for
public works. This latter sum includes
tl9 ,494, 037 40 for river and harbor i'm
proyements, and O., 974, 1858 IS for forth
| fications and other works Of defense.
| The appropriations for the current year
aggregated s52 .429, liz IS. and the eeti-
mates submitted by the secretary OF
war for the next fiscal year call for APP
| preparations amounting 70 Isl, 3lS,-
CD IS.
The skill and industry OF our ordi.
nance officers and inventors have, it ie
believed, overcome the mechanical OBJ
| s,acles which have heretofore delayed
| the armament OF our coasts. This great
national undertaking upon which we
have entered may nov proceed as rap
/ idly as congress shall determine. With
q supply OF finished guns OF large cali
( Der already on hand TO which additions
| should now rapidly follow, the wisdom
OF providing carriages and emplacement
for their mount cannot be too strongly
urged.
The total enrolment, OF the militia OF
the several states is III .5S3 officers and
enlisted men, an increase q 5,3s3 over
the number reported a, the close Of the
previous year. The reports OF militia
! inspections by regular army officers
show marked increase in interest and
efficiency in state organizations, and
strongly recommend a continuance OF
I the policy OF aiIording every practical
encouragement possible 10 this i'm
por,ant auxiliary Of our military estab-
iishment.
| INDIAN PRISONERS.
| The condition Of the Apache Indians
held as prisoners by the government for
eight years at a cosi OF t5u0, 900 has been
changed during the year from captivity
10 one which gives them an opportunity
to demonstrate their capacity for self-
support and at least partial civilization.
Legislation enacted at the latest session
OF congress gave the war department
authority TO transfer the survivors, who
number $40, from Mount Vernon bar
III l.
reservations. The department selected
AZ their future home the military lands
near Fort Sill, Indian territory, where,
under military surveillance. the former
prisoners have been established in
agriculture under conditions favorable
10 their advancement.
In recognition OF the long and distin.
guished military services and faithful
discharge OF the delicate and respon-
sble civic duties by Ma jor General John
NJ. Schohcld. now general commanding
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 retirement now neal
at hand with rank betting his merits
Department OF Justice.
The report OF the attorney genera
notes the gratifying progress made by
the supreme court in overcoming the ar
rcars OF its business and in reaching q
condition in which il will be able TO dis
pose OF the cases as they arise without
any reasonable decay. This result is, o
course. very largely due to the success
full working of the plan inausurating cir
cult courts OF appeals. In respect Il
| shaos, sf,h han ls mazda
quarters entitled to the highest consid'
Grafton, that an additional circuit judge
, for each circuit would greatly strengthen
these courts and the confidence reposet
in their al Indications, and that such Al
addition would not create greater forct
81 judges than the increasing business o
such courts requires. / commend thu
suggestions to the careful consideration
: OF congress. Other important topics an
= advocated in the report, accompanies
, BY Recommendations, many OF which
have been treated at large in previous
messages and at this time, therefore
need only be named. l refer to thu
abolition Of the fee system as measur,
. OF cbmpensation to federal officers; tn,
enlargement Of the powers OF uniteC
: States commissioners at least in the ter
ritories; the allowance OF writs Of errol
J in criminal cases on behalf OF the Unitet
, States, and the establishment Of grade
by congress in the crime Of murder. A
topic dealt with by the attorney. genera
-, Of much Importance is the condition o
the administration OF justice in the In
E dian territory. The permanent solution
D Of what is called the Indian problem i
/. probably not to be expected at once
! but, meanwhile. such ameliorations o
. present conditions as the existing sys
q tenn will admit Of ought not to be neg
Q lected. I am satisfied that there ehoult
Il be A federal court established for the ter