Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1896-12-12


unusually well drilled and inspired with much
military interest. and in many instances they
arm 40 defcient In propcr arms and equipment
that a sudden cali TO active duty would Ind
Thorn inndeuuatoly prepared for field service.
I therefore recommend that prompt measures
be taken 10 remedy this condition and that
every announcement be given TO this deserv-
Ing body Of unpaid and voluntary citizen SOL
dlcrs upon whose assistance wo must largely
RELY In time Of trouble
During the past year rapid progres has boon
made toward the completion OF tho scheme
adopted for the erection and armament OF for
tiacations along our sea coast. while equal
progress has been made In providing the mate
rial for submarine defense In connection with
these works. This improved situation Is largely
due to the recent generous response OF congress
10 the recommendations OF tho war department
Tho Attorney GENERALS Department.
The attorney general presents detailed and
interesting statement OF the important work
done under his supervision during the last
fiscal year. Tho ownership and management
by the government OF penitentiaries for the
confinement Of tho convicted In the United
States courts OF violations OF federal laws,
which for many years has been subject OF
| executive recommendation, has ut last TO
n slight extent been realized by the utilza-
tion OF the abandoned military prison at Fort
Lcavenworth as United States pcnitcntiary.
This Is certainly movement In tho right d.
rection: but IL ought TO be ut once supple
men,ed BIZ the rebuilding or extensive enlarge
mont OF this improvised prison and tho con-
struction OF ut least one more. to DO located In
tho southern states. Tho capacity OF the
Leayenworth penitentiary is SO limited that
the expense Of It's maintenance, calculated ut
n per capita rate upon the number OF prisoners
II can accommodate does not make rs econom-
ical IN exhibit rs It would II 1t were
larger and better adapted to prison
purposes: but / nm thoroughly con-
WINGED that economy. humanity and proper
sense OF responsibility and duty toward those
whom we punish for violation OF federal law
dictate that the federal government nave 'he
entire control and management OF the poniten-
tiarics where convicted vlolators are confined.
| Il appears that since the transfer OF the Fort
Leavcnworth military prison TO It's now uses
the work previously done by the prisoners con-
fined there. aud for which expensive machine
cry has been provided, has been discontinued.
This work consisted OF the manufacture OF
articles for army use. now done elsewhere. on
all grounds It Is exceedingly desirable that the
conyicts confined In this pcnitontiary be a.
lowed 10 resume work OF this description.
The Post once Department.
our mos, oflce department IL In good condl-
,ion ana tho exhibit made Of its operations
durIny the fiscal year ended Juno 30, 1898. II
aIiov,nce "a made for imperfec,ions In tho
laws nnniicable To it. IA very satisfactory. The
total receipts during the year were 81! 40 e0a 10
The total expenditures we're 800. 6s6. 81. ox-
c,vs,vc NJ n. 80 sgs "a, which waSearned by the
pa. rat,ro.d Far RECONSIDERATION and credit
On ,hoir aebt To the government There was
an ,rcrcos 40 n, receip,s over the previous year
| :, a. ia a. 81 mr. 7 ner cent and an increase
| =, nvnc,b,,rcs of A s3J.letO., or Az per cent