The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1896-12-10

truGteu TO MS cnarSe. Inc limit OF our
military force as fixed by law is con-
stantly and readily maintained. The
present discipline and morale of our army
are excellent, and marked progress and
efficiency are apparent throughout its en-
tire organization. With the exception of
delicate duties in the suppression of slight
Indian disturbances along our southwest
ern boundary, in which the Mexican
troops co-operated, and the compulsory
but peaceful return, with the consent of
Great Britain, of a band of Cree Indians
from Montana to British possessions, no
active operations have been required of
the army during the year past.
The entire army has now been equipped
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
measufficient numberto supply the State
militia with these modern weapons and
provide an ample reserve for any emer-
gency. The organized militia numbers
112,S79 men. The appropriations for its
support by the several States approxi-
mate $2,SOO,O0O annually and 100000 is
contributed by the general government.
Investigation shows these troops to he
usually well drilled and inspired with
much military interest.
| Seq Coast Defense.
During the last year rapid progress has
been made toward the completion of the
scheme adopted for the erection and arma-
ment of fortifications along our seacoast,
while equal progress has been made in
providing the material for submarine de-
| fense in connection with these works.
| Great advance that has been made in this
| important undertaking since the Fifty
| third Congress in December, 1893. At
that time informed Congress of the ap-
preaching completion of nine tvelve-inoh,
! twenty ten-inch and thirty-four eight-inch
| high-power steel guns, and seventy-hve
| twelve-inGh rifles and mortars. AT that
date there were practically no carriages
upon which to mount these guns, and
only thirty-one empiacements for guns
and sixty-four for mortars. Nor were all
| these emplacements in condition to re-
| ceive their arament. 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 increased to a total
/ of twenty-one twelve-inch, tifty-siX ten
inch, sixty-One eight-inch + -h-power
| breach loading steel guns, ten rapid-fire
guns and eighty twelve[nch rit1ed NOR
| tars; I'M all 42S guns and mOrtarS.
During the same year the first modern
gun carriage had bee;. completed and
eleven more were in process of conStruc
tion. Since 1893 the number of gun car
r;ages constructed or building has been
| raised TO total of 129 of which ninety
| are on the disappearing principle. and the
| number of mortar carriages to 152. while
the ninety-tive emplacements which We're
provided for prior to that time have been
increased to $50 built and building.
This improved situation is largely due
to the recent generous response of Congress
to the recommendations of the war de-
partment Thus we shall soon have COM
plete about one-ffth of the comprehensive
system, the first step in which was noted
in my message to the Congress of Dec. 4,
1893. When it is understood that a ma
sonry emplacement not only furnishes a
platform for the heavy modern high-power
gun, but also in every particular serves
the purpose and takes the place of the
fort of former days, the Importance of the
work accomplished is better compre-
hended.
all forms of military preparation coast
defense alone is essentially pacific in its
nature. While it gives the sense of Sc
curity due to consciousness of strength,
it is neither the purpose nor the effect of
such permanent fortifcations to involve
us in foreign complications, but rather to
guarantee us against them. They are not
temptation to war, but security against it.
rTVI- ord.
all the traditions of our national diplo-
macy.
About National Prisons.
The Attorney General presents de-
tailed and interesting statement of the
important work done under his supervis-
ion during the last fiscal year. The own
ership and management by the Govern
ment of penitentiaries for the confine-
ment of those convicted in United States
courts of violations of Federal laws,
which for many years has been subject
of executive recommendation, has at last,
to slight extent, been realized by the
utilization of the abandoned military pris-
on at Fort Leavenworth as a United
States penitentiary. This is certainly Il
movement in the right direction; but it
ought to be at once supplemented by the
rebuilding or extensive enlargement of
this improvised prison and the con-
struction of at least one more, to be To-
Gated in the Southern States. am thor
Oughly convinced that economy, humanity
and proper sense of responsibility and
duty toward those whom we punish for
violations of Federal law dictate that the
Federal Government should have the
entire control and management of the
penitentiaries where convicted violators
are confined.
1t appears that since the transfer of
Fort LeaveSwOrth military prison to its
new uses the work previously done by
prisoners confined there and for which ex-
pensive machinery 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 con-
victs confined in this penitentiary be al
lowed to resume work of this description.
Fees of Federal officers.
1t is most gratifying to note the salts
factory results that have followed the
Inauguration of the new system provided
for by the act of May 2S, 1896 under
which certain Federal officials are COM
pensated by salaries instead of fees. The
new plan was put in operation on July 1.
1896, and already the great economy it
enforces, its prevention of abuses, and its
tendency to better enforcement of. the |
laws are strikingly apparent. Detailed |
evidence of the usefulness of this long !
delayed but now happily accomplished |
reform will be found clearly set forth in |
the Attorney Generals report.
The Postal Service.
Our Postoftice Department is in good |
condition, and the exhibit made of its |
operations during the fiscal year ended |
June 80, 1896, if allowance is made for |
in the laws applicable to it. |
is very satisfactory. The total receipts |
during the year were $50, ,499, ,20S.40. The |
total expenditures We're $90,626, ,296.Sl. |
exclusive of 1,559, ,S9S.27, which was
earned by the Pacific Railroad for trans
portation and credited on their debt to |
the Government. There was an increase
of receipts over the previous year of So /
516,OS0.21, or II per cent, and an in
crease of expenditures of S3.S36 124.02,
or 442 per cent. The deficit was ST.
679. .956. 10 less than that of the preceding |
year.
Our postal service should meet the
nd hn q ny,r