New-York tribune., 1895-02-12
CONDITION OF THE ARMY.
THE INSPECTOR-GENERAL SUBMITS HIS
ANNUAL REPORTS.


DEFENCELEss-HIGH PRAISE FOR THE
WORK OF OFFICERS AND MEN.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
Washington Feb 1.-THE annual report OF the
Inspector General of the Army, one OF the most
interesting of the yearly documents issued from
the War Department, appeared to-day. Follow
ing CUSTOM General Breckenridge has submitted
two reports. one to the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT COM
manding the Army. the other to the secretary Vi
War. The former speaks Of the material as well
as the personnel Of the military service. IL says
Of the general condition of the Army:
The general condition Of all garrisoned posts
is repOrted good. The condition or the ungar-
risoned posts remains as reported last year, anu
many important points on our seacoast are p'ac
tically defenceess. In this connection your at
tention is specially invited to the CONDITION ana
present use OF Fort Jefferson as quarantine sla-
ton. Nineteen years have elapsed since inns IN
portant fortifcation was abandoned to us fate:
and It has passed from one stage OF ABUSE anu
neglect to another. until to-day IT serves no Det-
ter purpose than National pesthouse. ina' hs .n,s
disposition OF valuable military ana naVai pase
Is TO be regretted can hardly be questioned ana
no time should be lost in removing every ops'ace
to its proper occupation whether ga,tisoh h pe
ordered To II or not In few instances the chaI-
acter Of the recruits received at posts mas peen
reported unsatisfactory The discontinuance oi
the recruiting depots and the change IN ,ne .usln
Of service may he expected to remove many CAUSES
Of complaint and discomfort The term OF enlist
ment having been reduced to three years, Secton
of the act Of Congress providing Tor the Iui
Tough and discharge OF certain soldiers ceases 10
have effect, and the fluctuations and possipi! thc
restlessness which that act is said TO nave pro
voked among the enlisted men Will DC foIloWeu
by greater contentmen The recent labor trou-
bles and especially the riots In chicago, nave
been full Of incidents illustrating the courage III
telligence and discipline Of the Army caring
forth many expressions Of praise and gracious
appreciation from the press ana from an ldw
abiding people 1t is pleasure 10 note 'hat lne
J,Fo ,thi
enga ged throughout these trying scenes, Is saId
by the inspector to have been eXceiien' ouch d
report is gratifying as 1t is well merited
The report has this to say of Army organiza-
ton and drill regulations:
While the subjects Of organization and drill
regulations of the Army have been very proml-
nently before the department during the Ia.
year, they do not appear 10 have peeh Droush'
into accord. All bills introduced into congress
for the ameioration of the artillery and infantry
exDired or remained in committee and the dILii
regulations remain practically as tney were 10
the cavalry this is not probably serious matter,
as executing the two skeleton troops or each
regiment the organization Is complete, ana me
drill regulations Of this arm have been geherahy
approved by cavalry officers. Some slight inodih-
cations appear to be necessary, and these VIII no
doubt be made at an early day Whether ~
would not be wise to revive the Twelve troops oi
each regiment, substituting white men lot IN
dams wherever they exist. Is a question wnich. IN
view of its serious import, may well be cohslo,
cred, and minimizing the recruiting depo's US anu Az
sending mounted recruits 10 the cavalry post al
Fort Riley as suggested in the law, may
render this more feasible. The ORGANIZATION OF
the infantry and their drill regulations are by
no means in harmony. In anticipation, no DOUBT
of early and favorable action by congress on tne
organization. the present drill regulations were
compiled. They based on the theory OF three
battalions and large companies They have now
had nearly two years OF trial ana ~ Tor some 70 pI be-
an adapted to the present organization, II not 10
the characteristics Of our soldiers
The Inspector Generals report to the Secretary
deals with the military colleges and National
homes He says there is growing appreciation
Of the system Of military instruction In the col
leges and suggests that more captains be de-
tailed for college duty. There has been marked
Improvement in the military instruction. but In
some of the colleges there Is lack n space lot
drilling. The administration of the Military
Academy is highly praised General Breckih-
ridge says
Some Of the Congressional districts nave had
no renresentatives at West Point for several
wears In the State OF Illinois the record SHOWS
that nine of the twenty-five autn0rizea M Maplo,i,s
ments have not been filled. Ire lAth DistIlct oi
Tennessee appears to have had no representative
al West Point for over five years When we
consider the large expense or maintaining tis
necessarv instructors and garrison Of this school
II is most important that the corps OF cade,s
should be kept nearly complete as posslpIe.
In the essential matter OF instruction u see"S
evident that there should be some COORDINATION
between tie whole military school system. SO as
to avoid waste work anc oHer 'ne hs"e.t ar. an
most complete instruction any HiH'aiS @'"'''
may be capable Of
Among The general recommendations anecuhg
tho Army General Breckenridge makes the fol-
lowing:
Veterinary ospitals at the larger cavalry posts
would prolong the lives of animals target prac-
tice should embrace firing at movable targets
occasional hot food and sleeping-cars are sug-
oasted for long travels; the smallest sum re-
ceved by the pay department from enlisted men
,or denosjt ia still too high and should be re-
duccd to 81; suitable books and better system
are sadly needed by the Army schools for no
civilized army probably has a less effective
school system for enlisted men than ours BAR
racks should be bright. cheerful and inviting.
Regarding manoeuvres the report has the FOL
| lowing:
Troops may be brought TO an admirable STATE
NJ nerfection in marching and drilling. but IL
| they lack the experience and mobility that can
only be had in camp under warlike conditions.
| they may be far from ready to meet the roe
eNectively The distinctive quality or SOLDIERS IL
| their ability to act effectively masse under
ali circumstances according to the will OF one
man camp OF the consolidated troops OF sew
era States is suggested with tne present t,srs rars
| who are able to handle large bodies oi troops
| there will soon be no one left possessed OF eN-
nerience gained in the late war our stanulhe
| Army is too scattered to permit tne conceh'la- @
| ,ton ot CORPS into one camp without great eN-
! nanse hut never too much so as to De abie 10
| attend in limited numbers consoiuated en-.
camnment of several States. Money couio no,
| ne ernended for a better and wiser military pur-
| pose.
Rr-sINESS IN THE HOUSE
| >>..,,up ALTON OF THE LEGISLATIVE. EXEcu.