The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-04

A Qus~f Year, Disturbed Only by the
Striking Columbia River Fisher
men-Psrade Grounds Needed ut
and More Men ut the Mouth of the
Coiumbfa-Paget sound Reserva-
tions Cleared of Trespassera.


raent reports are printed and distributed.
IS OF extreme interest 10 the people OF
Washington and idaho. as the recommen-
darsons sn the report are the basis for the
expenditure OF more than $4,000 during
the coming year Although s. mas been a
standing rule al the war department. 20
refuse newspapers the privilege or ad-
vance publication Of such reports. through
the courtesy OF Hon. Daniel s. Lamont,
secretary of war, / am enabled 10 lay be-
fore the Post-Intelligencer's readers the
report Of Gen. OTIS.
Gen. o. reports that the affairs OF the
department OF the Columbia have been re-
narkably tranquil. The strike OF the fish
ermen az Sand Island required the pres
ence OF detachment from Fort Candy.
in order 10 warn of trespassers from the
military reservation OF the government.
but this warning was given without any
hostile demonstration The mean nuner-
zeal strength IN the department during the
fiscal year was 1876. and the average nu-
mer.cal strength was f.473.
IN the quartermaster' department the
results of the year show decreased ex-
penditure IN nearly all of It's special appro-
pr-ai5ons. Inc total yearly expenditure
for 1895 was nearly $4,000 less than that
for 1884. and for 1885 Il was neaTsy $4,000
sess than for the prior year-the reduction
in the TWO years beng IS per cent. and the
total expenditure for the fiscal year just
closed being Sls2 sos. F. ghty-eight per
cent. Of this two years reduction is n the
Appropriation for regular supplies, and 10
a considerable extent IS due 70 the reduced
cost OF forage and fuel and the saving re-
sulting from a more economical use OF
those articles. Nearly ali the remaining
reduction Is n the appropriations for inc.-
dental expenses and for barracks and
quarters. From the latter appropriation
there was paid out N 1894, $50. 657.is; in 1895,
SIS, 552 So. and IN 1856. si2.Ss5.3s. The allot-
ment for the present year is s1o.ts7.l7, all
that these headquarters requested.
Posts and Reservations.
In reference % the posts and reserva-
tons in ais department. Gen. Otis says:
During the past year the posts of the
department have served the purpose OF
availability OF location for detached ser
vice has arisen, and | have no sugges-
lions 10 offer on this subject further than
20 renew recommendations contained in
former reports. Those advocated the con-
centration of the Forts sherman and
Spokane garrisons al the city OF Spokane,
the establishment. of an artillery post on
Puget sound and the retention and en-
laIgement of Boise barracks. which for
number OF years was threatened with
abandonment Some of these recommended
tions have met with favorable decision
end initiatory action looking 10 their full
nslment. | would respectfully urge con-
/ OF the retention OF Boise barracks and it's
sufficient enlargement 10 quarter a bat
talon OF infantry. | do not urge this in
the belief that there exists any Indicated
necessity for an increase of garrison for
purposes OF protection, restraint or the
enforcement OF law. but Tor reasons adj
yanced in previous reports. wherein ] at
tempted 10 show that troops should be
f permanently retained In that section OF
country, and in somewhat larger force
than at present In order to meet ennergen-
3 "a ~ - n hat he
location row occupied by them offered
! greater advantages as a military station
than any other within that section. and
/ that apart from preparations for emer-
gencies, the fore should be augmented,
/ IS the proper education and training OF
4 troops for services demanded an Increase
or company organizations. Its available
/ ~ OF position when troops are required 10
/ move with celebrity. the advau- ges IL
( possesses for economy OF supply, for
1 health. for furnishing the needs and con-
I venierces .at officers ard enlisted mel. In
Guiding educational and social privileges.
are its desirable features.
4 During the past few months the post
commander has labored 10 secure more
water for pest purposes uSing appliances
u hand and inprovised machinery He
has measure bly, succeeded Tie cavioC OF
the lower portion OF a we'll hv which he
was experimenting, ard from which no
had already obtained a large flow has
checked efforts for a time but they viii
be resumed very soon. The water has
been located, and Il only remains 10 pierce
To the underlying stream 10 secure an
abundance. As Il IS. sufficient water has
/ been secured to greatly change the asoect
Of the post as trees shruhhef-v and grass
are now nourishinE where before they
] could not retain their freshness. nor even
70 any extent vitality. because OF the dry
i prolonged heat Of SUMMER Some slight
1 expenditure may attend further expert
/ tnent. bur Il viii he OF small cons Iaenca
( in comparison With results which are rea-
+ souahlV sure 10 follow. large am1lnr
T o. work has been performed BY the snail
garrison Of this post within the year. 4
+ portion Of the reservation has been neat
/ iy fenced roads and drives which required
considerable grading have been cons. rglrf-
{ 81. many trees have been PLANTED whica
( are constantly watered by means 81 small
{ ac@Qutas. and 4 number ~ tho post build
iESs heve been repaired The grounds
( which hitherto have not received much
s wiling
rhe unsatisfactory health OF the Fort
F WaiA WaEia garrison, concerning which
/ ! nave already commented is believed %
( hn largely due 20 the iaSuficiencv and
l quality OF It's water supply. In that be-
I het. the post surgeon recommends and tha
= post comma Uder directs the thorough boil
Ing ~ aii drinking water during the warm
months - The year The supply IS obtain
I ~ from springs doubtless surface
+ sPfngse situated IN marshy land close to
. the city ~ Walls Walla 60 the immeii-
3 ate vicinity ~ which dwellings will soon
! % constructed Il Is uiped TO the post
! ans costs tno government IN rental ENsA
/ yearly in All excepting the sfrv months
I quantity appears 20 De abundant and no
I complaint Is then heard ~ lis QUALITY. btfs
/ q - evident II FnTt Waua Wana Is 10
I ~ maintained some other source 81 wa ter
| supply must BE- sccured The post pos
/ Nfs~fS advantages as g cavalry station
/ ana ls now rarris1neA hv a large ard ex-
J c~llen, squadron ~ cavalry
The Mouth of the Columbia
| ~ respectfully ~cneW rnv recent recon-
/ nFHtatiaus far ihe Improvement of Fort
/ 100 fclue@ttnE an extension ~ rs pa
I fttie groHrd- w8tho8t Wh5ch tHf- efficient
/ practical Instruction 0f fts GARRISON 10
I n}osf dt9 cult This tmornvftmar vrg,5lff
1 Eontft bate largely 90 the Ea rrfSar.z hasffn
/ snd accaunaestation. add So the sIxhiginezz
I au8 souvputenCVs a. tire uost "a ,at mr..
/ ders'aud that THO dlmsnution % fbat gar
! rfso0. lately Effected under var aeparf-
T FneHf dlFeetfnFis- was intended to h.s 81
/ permanent continuance h0t vas eanse-
/ GHFnf Dnsn - desire 10 sds-a nrs "a = ,,,t1-h
( = pn-sin le u t~e hniesl knaviesire OF heavy
4 artillery smaaE fhp artillery orranfss-
I tons Whtch rslf Pc sRttsfarturi{v arrorur-
( tl+Hft oUtF ~ 4fa-HEs having modern
( Sans and apf}t ny~s none q which Fovs
. Candy "a Xef possesses Ffa imports nv
/ - the pest tG tae line Of PartAc cast
Z defense r. of csurSe, coHeeiiad hv thn an4
I tHeri iess end tkeT ta1l ~ less ave an con-
{ fewp afioa measures booking So al erec-
{ tEve Essr'Sefs. b2t9 ~ this polns ara a.
4 Forf S1~TeHs- The Tess - FORE Caubv ~
3 one of its twa batteries aurinG rha excite
{ ularr attending tha strike 80 thf Asher
{ usFH ptarea neaYr Autv Wrou 5fs e-Ysa{ nfs, K
. large ttFfftrrs o. G1es.t az tha t-afftff, 81 Il
vfVrr reputation sratn UasH fext a similar
sDtrit - dsst e0fe1f end disreEaTE sor CON-
{ ssitute8 E9vernugnt
All discovered tsasraz in e7-Ff~t sStfh
t.e Interests - BE Goveruneesf aFeeffnr
srw p1rtfanS ~ the uNaV Ee tffere- 49,.
Ea-f,rss 81 IRE sfrp. ~ rssenr hAEf hsrs- sr,,.s
ttkatess, art tfespassrs togaS 70 ~ Ia