The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-12-07


ments. through the reorganization OF the sys
tenn OF recruiting and the consequent releas
to regfmental duty of the large force OF mel
hitherto serving at the recruiting departments
The abolition OF these departments 10 Il pre-
dicted. will furthermore effect an annual re
duction approximating S25O.OO0 in the direc
| expenditures. besides promoting generally tn,
health. morals and discipline OF the troops
The execution of the policy OF concentratin,
the army at important centers OF popu.
| lation and transportation. foreshadoweC
in the last annual report OF the secre.
tary. has resulted in the abandonment
of fifteen OF the smaller posts. which was eff.
fected under plan which assemblies organiza-
/ tfonS OF the same regiments hitherto widely
separated. This renders our small forces more
readily effective for any service which they may
\ be called upon to perform in cases over the ex-
| tent OF territory under protection without
diminishing the security heretofore afforded to
any locality; improves the discipline. training
and esprit de corps of the army besides consid-
erably decreasing the cost Of its maintenance
Though the force OF the department has been
somewhat increased. more than three-fourths
OF the army is still stationed west of the Mis-
sissippi. This carefully matured policy which
secures the best and greatest service in the in
terests of the general welfare from the small
force comprising our regular army should not
be thoughtlessly embarrassed by the creation
congress to crafty the ambitions or interests
of localities. While the maximum legal
strength of the army is 5000 men the effective
strength. through various causes. is but little
over 20,OO) men. The purpose of congress does
not. therefore. seem to be fully attained by the
existing condition. while no considerable in
crease in the army is in my judgment demand
ed by recent events.
The policy Of sea coast Notifications in pros
ncEtlOn which q he Sfn lv
for some years past has SO 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 augmented the
effective force. an1 the secretary OF war pre-
scntS plan, which recommend TO the conSd-
Grafton OF congress. to attain the desired end.
Economics effected in the department in other
lines Of its work will Offset to q 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 indorSed by the secretaries OF war and the
commanding the army. Compact i'll
itself. IL provideSa a skeleton organization ready
10 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 recommenda-
tion 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-
tons TO the performance by the government OF
It's legitimate functions it became necessary in
various localities during the year to employ q
considerable portion of the regular troops. The
iuty was discharged promptly. courageously
md with marked discretion by the officers and
men and the most gratifying proof was thus af-
'orded that the army deserves that complete
in its efficiency and discipline which
he country has at all times manifested.
The total expenditures for the war depart
nent for the year ending June 30. fS9i |
amounted to SJ6.039. .0o9.3i. OF this sum s. CO.,
il499 was for salaries and contingent expen- |
les; S3 665 1866 for the support Of the military
S5.O0l .6S2.33 for miscellaneous |
objects. and S2,.37l 1896 for public works |
This latter sum includes sl9.49 O35. 10 for river
md harbor improvements and S:I,9i1 Sf}. .56 for |
ortihcationS and other works of defense. |
The appropriations for the current wear ag-
-regate So 2i29.ll21S and the estimates sub |
nittcd by the secretary Of war for the next fis-
al year call for appropriations amounting. to |
2.3ls. .529.5S
The skill AMI industry OF our ordnance off,
ers and inventors have. it is believed. over
ONE the mechanical obstacles which have
DELAYED the armament OF our coasts
nd this great national underta King upon which
re have entered may now proceed as rapidly
$ congress shall determine. with IA supply OF
niShed guns of large caliber already on hand
o which additions should now rapidly follow
he wisdom of providing carriages and en-
lacementS for their mount cannot be too |
trongly urged. The total enrolment of the !
liitia OF the several states is lI1.153 officers
nd enlisted men. an Spcrease OF 53i3 over the
lumber reported at the close of the previous
ear. The reports Of militia inspection by
egular army Officers show 4 marked increase
i interest and efficiency among the state or
aniZationS. and strongly recommend i con-
nuance OF the policy of afording every prac-
cal encouragement possible ID this important
uxiliary of our military establishment. The
ondition of the Apache Indians, held as prison
rs by the government for eigl: years at u cost
half million dollars has been changed dur
IL the year from captivity to one which gives
lem an opportunity to demonstrate their
ipacity for Self-support and at least
lrtial civilization Legislation enacted
the late session of congress gave | ,
lie war department authority to transfer ;
In recognition of the long and distinguished !
ilitary services and faithful discharge OF ,
elicate and responsible civil duties by Maj ,
en-. John NJ. Schoield now the general COM
aDding the army. it is suggested TO congress !
lat the temporary revival of the grade of | ,
eutenant general in his behalf would be 4
st and gracious act. and would permit his re-
rement now near at hand with rank BETTING ,
IS merits. .
The Department of Justice. I
The report OF the encouragement notes the {
'atifying progress made by the supreme court | '
overcoming the arrears OF its business and | {
reaching a condition in which il will be able
dispose OF cases as they arise without any
delay. This result is of course G
Try largely due to the successful working of I
e plan lnaugurating circuit courts of appeals. 4
respect to these tribunals the suggestion is r
ade in quarters entitled to the highest con- I
deration that an additional circuit Judge for I
ch circuit would greatly strengthen '
ese courts and the confidence i
posed in their adjudication and l
at such an addition would not create II
eater force OF JUICES than the Increasing o
lsiness OF such courts requires. The pernla- a
mt solution OF what is called the Indian prob a
m is probably not to be expected at once, but a
eanwhile such ameliorations Of present con- {
tions as the existing system will admit ought a
It 10 be neglected--I am satisfied there should C
federal court established for the territory | .
It'll sufficient judges and that this court should 3
within the territory and have the same jur- n
1ction as to territorial affairs as is now $
sted in the federal courts sitting in Arkansas Il
ID Texas n
Another subject OF pressing moment referred a
by the attorney general is the reorganiza- il
Dn Of the Union Pacific Railroad Co. on c
basis equitable as regards all private inter- il
is and as favorable to the government as ex- "
ting conditions will permit. The operation 7
railroad by court through 4 receiver is n
anomalous state OF things which SnOuld be a
rrninated on all grounds pubic and private | n
the earliest possible moment. h
II is not my purpose at this time 20 repeat "
c considerations which make an inpregnable n
sc in favor OF the ownership and manage n
ent by the government of the penal institu- .
ms in which federal prisoners are confined.
simply desire to again urge former recon- O
endations on the subject and to particularly g,
II the attention OF the congress to that part Z,