Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-10
NUMBER A

with the new magazine arms. and wise
policy demands that all available public
and private resources should be So en-
ployed as to provide within a reasonable
time sufficient number 20 supply the state
militia with these modern weapons and
geney
The Militia.
The organized militia numbers 1I2.S79 men
The appropriations for its support by the
several states approximate 80. 100000 an
nually, and $500 600 are contributed by the
general government. Investiga ton shows
these troops to be usually d.illed and in
spired With much military iihlerest, but In
many instances they are so deficient in
proper arms and equipment that a sudden
call TO active duty would find them in
adequately prepared for field service. l
therefore recommend that prompt meas
ures be taken to remedy this condition and
that every announcement be given to
this deserving body of unpaid and volun-
tary citizen soldiers upon whose assist
ance we must largely rely in time OF
trouble.
Sea Coast Defenses.
During the past year rapid progress has
been made toward the completion of the
scheme adopted for the erection and arma-
ment OF Notifications along our seacoast,
while equal progress has been made in pro-
viding the material for submarine defense
in connection with these works. 1t is pecuI-
iarly gratifying at this time to note the
great advance that has been made in this
important undertaking since the date of
nv annual message to the Fifty-thir6 con-
gress at the opening Of its second ses-
sion, In December. 1898. At that time In
formed the congress of the approaching
completion of 3 12-inch, 30 l0-inch and IS
S-ineh high power steel guns and IS Pinch
rifed mortars.
compared with the great work remaining
to be done. Yet it was none the less
source of satisfaction to every citizen
when he reflected that It represented the
first installment Of the new ordnance of
American design and American manufac-
ply from our own resources guns of unex-
celled power and accuracy. Al that date,
however. there were practically no car
riages upon which to mount those guns,
and only 81 emplacements for guns and 81
for mortars. Nor were all these emplace-
ments in condition to receive their arma-
ment. Only one high-power gun was at
that time in position for the defense Of the
entire coast. Since that time the number
of guns actually completed has been In
creased to u 12-inch: So ten-inch; CT eight
inch high-power breech-loading steel ten
rapid-fire guns and so Pinch rified NOR
tars. In addition there are in process OF
construction of one l6-inch type gun, 80 ~
inch. 56 ten-inch, q eght-inch high-power
guns and &c Pinch rided mortars; in oil
42S guns and mortars
During the same year Immediately pre-
crding the message referred to the first
modern gun carriage had been completed
and IL more were in process of construc-
ton All but one we're of the non-dlsap-
pearing type. These, however. were not
such as to secure necessary cover for the
artillery gunners against the intense fire
OF modern machine rapid-fire and high
power guns. The inventive genius of
ordnance and civilian experts has been
taxed in designing carriages that would
obyiate this fault. resulting. IL is believed.
in the solution of this difficult problem.
Since 1898 the number of gun carriages con-
structed or building has been raised to a
total of 129, of which 30 are on the disap-
pearing principle, and the number of NOR
tar carriages TO 1852, while the IS emplace-
ments which were provided for prior to
that time have been increased to 2S0 built
and building. This improved situation Is
largely due TO the recent generous response
of congress to the recommendations of
the %af department. Thus we shall soon
have complete about one-fifth of the COM
prehensive system, the first step In which
was noted In my message to the congress
Of December g. 1893. When IT is understood
that masonry emplacement not only fur
niSheS a platform for the heavy modern
hgh-power gun, but also In every par
the place of the fort of former days. the
Importance Of the work accomplished Is
better comprehended. In the hope that the
work will he prosecuted with no less vlgoF
in the future, the secretary ef war has
submitted an estimate by which II al
lowed there viii be provided and either
fiscal year such additional guns. mortars.
Gun carriages ana emplaccments as will
represent not for from one-third Of the
total WORK - be lone under The plan adopt
go for our coast defenses-thus affording
q prospect that the entire y 2rlt Eill nc sub
Btantialiy completed within six years In
less time than that, however we shall have
attained marked degree OF security
Treatment of Federal Prisoners.
The attorney general presents a detailed
and interesting statement OF the important
work done under his supervision during
the last tiscal year. The ownership and
management by the government of peni-
tentiares for the confinement of those
convicted III United States courts of viola
tions OF federal laws which for many
years has been subject Of executive rec
ommendaton, has at last to slight ex-
tent been realized by the utilization of the
abandoned military prison at Forth T,eav-
Ihis IS certainly move in the right direc-
ton, but IL ought 70 be at once supple
mented By the rebuilding or extensive en-
largement Of this improvsed prison and
the construction Of at least one more. to be
located IN the southern states. The ca
pacity Of the Leavenworth penitcntiary is
50 limited that the expense Of its main
tepanee, calculated at a per capita rate
upon the plumber of prisoners il can accom-
modate, does not make as economical eX-
hihit as II would II it were larger and bet
Ter adant"d u prison purposes. but / am
lhoTouEhIy convinced that economy, hui
and duty toward those whom we punish for
viola ions Of federal law dictate that the
feder+l government should have the entire
tiaries where convicted ViOiatCrs are con-
hne1 = appears that since the transfer
of the Fort LeaVenWorth military prison
70 IT'S rev uses tho work previously done
by prisoners confined there and for which
tNRtNGiae fHArhiOefF has been provided.
mas been discontinued. This work con-
sisted of the manufacture Of articles for
army Use now done elsewhere on all
grounds II JIG exceedingly desirable hat the
eonEicts confined In This pententiary BE-
allowed 70 resume work Of this descrin-
ton.
Abolition OF the Fee system.
II Is most gratifying to note the sat
lsfactory results that have followed
the inauguration Of the new system
provided for by the act of May 2s
1886, under which certain II aerai Of
heials are compensated by salaries instead
OF fees The new plan was put in opera
tlon on the LIST day Of July, 1895, and al
ready the great economy 1t enforces its
prevention 81 abuses and its tendency 70
q better enforcement % tho laws are slrik-
lnsly apparent Detailed evidence of the
user illness Of his lone-delayea beat now
happli accomplished ref9si: VIII be found
cieafly set forth Ia TIA attorney generals
report
The Postal service.
The post Office department is IN good
condition and the exhibit mGda az it's on
erat ions during the fiscal Ye9r ended Ju1s
y, isb II allowance is made for imptr-
IeiflQuS IN the laws aNDiC8Hle To H. Is NefV