Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-11-22
AUGUSTA. MAINE. MONDAY MORNING. NOVEMBER %. 1897.

- dHoWeO the pay OF captain mounted
tnus placing him on an equal footing with
the senior assistants in all the other de-
partments. For the military reasons stat
ed IN the foregoing letter. the master of
the sword should be given the rank, pay.
ana emoluments OF first lieutenant OF
civilian. receives $500: first lieutenant
OF infantry the same! the only difference.
apart from military reasons, would be the
allowances of the grade.
The fact that of the total number of APP
piicants for enlistment 4, 05S have been re-
jected. and S2S5 accepted, shows the care
exercised in the selection of recruits for
the army.
The graduates of the military colleges of
the country will furnish trained body
or young men available in time of need.
The work would be more valuable. how
ever II the law which authorizes the de-
tail of officers of the army to colleges
having capacity to educate $50 pupils at
one time was amended to authorize the
details now provided by law only at such
colleges and other institutions of learning
as have not less than $50 pupils actually
present for instruction
The increase of the artillery has been
discussed by the major-general command
ing. and my views favorable to the meas
ure follow his remarks.
The recommendations of the adjutant
general are approved. These include
larger appropriations for the National
Guard, for service and post schools for
regimental cavalry post east of the Mis-
sissippi the establishing of fund for
the relief of the widows and orphans of
military men by the stoppage of an equit-
able percentage of the pay OF all persons
hereafter appointed in the army until
they finally leave the service, in addition
to all fines and forfeitures imposed upon
commissioned officers by courts-martial
and not otherwise expressly dedicated.
also for the appointment in the army of
the best college cadets.
A greater reward for apprehension of
deserters is recommended: also legisla-
ton to provide a proper system of Or
binary criminal Jurisdiction in military
reservations, to amend the summary
court act. A hall of records at Washing
| ton is recommended.
An increase is also called for in the APP
preparation for military posts, to provide
| barracks and quarters for number of
new posts on the seacoast, and to enlarge
Others The present appropriation is
$i20. 600. and the estimate submitted is for
81, 0Oo0oo, an increase of sl,5S0OOO.
From the surgeon generals report it
appears the health of the army was ex-
cellent during the calendar year 1896. The
admissions to sick report per thousand of
strength were 111O.39. as compared with
l 110.22 in the previous year. The number
constantly nOHeuectlVe per tHOuSdHU VI
strength was 1897, as compared with 80. SO
in 1895 and 1892 the average annual rate
of the decade prior to 1895. The discharge
rate for disability was 10.15 per thousand
of strength. as against 915 in the previous
year and 21.77 in the previous decade. The
death rate from all causes constituted
only 5.44 per thousand of the strength.
Great improvement has taken place in
the past few years in the sanitary condi-
ton of the colored troops, as manifested
-. ~tu1s.~ ls.,z
ability. and death. The noneficiency
from all causes among the colored troops
during the year was 25.75 per thousand of
strength. as compared with "a. u among
the white troops. The colOred soldier lost
9.42 days from disability during the year.
the white soldier. 12.1; and the average
time of treatment or each case was,
among the colored troops, 10.Si days;
among the whites, 11.22 days.
The surgeon general recommends re-
public quarters for stated number of
married men in each organization.
The secretary says:
The time seems to have arrived when
an increase in the number of officers AMI
enlisted men of that corps is indispens-
able. The immense work intrusted to
few men is overtaxing. and it is believed
a great saving of money in securing eff
cient and thorough work by contractors
in fulfillment of their contracts would be
effected by detailing young officer to re-
main on each work under construction or
improvement to see that day by day all
material as purchased. both in quality
and quantity. and according to specifica-
tions. is furnished. 1t is absolutely i'm
possible for one man, having large num-
Der of works a long distance apart. to
constantly supervise the construction of
improvements in his charge. This is one
special reason why it is believed that an
increase of cadets at West Point will be
beneficial, as more than formerly can be
assigned to the Engineer Corps and pro-
fitably employed. while the experience
thus gained will be of great benefit to
them in future years in the line of their
profession.
invite attention to the remarks of the
chief of engineers on the subject of sea-
coast defences. in which he gives the pro-
gress of the work on gun and mortar bat
teries and emplacements. Seacoast de-
fences are being rapidly constructed, and
they should be completed at the earliest
possible date. l cannot emphasize this
too strongly. and therefore urge that the
full amount of the estimate be appropri-
ated.
OF the estimates for river and harbor
improvements, he says:
ut is true that l have not had an
opportunity to make personal inspec-
ton of many of the works in question.
yet with the exception of WATERWAYS and
harbors where there is a large traffic. or
where immediate Improvement is impera-
lively needed | am convinced that the
estimates are largely in excess of what
they should be at time when the de-
mands upon the treasury are as great as
now. 1t is therefore recommended that |
the amount to be appropriated be largely
reduced below the estimates. 1t is but |
just to the chief of engineers to state that |
these estimates were made by my direc- |
ton. that the facts might be placed be-
fore Congress, showing what the expen-
ditures would be were all the require
ments of the above-cited laws complied |
with"
The construction of canal connecting
Lakes Washington and Union with Puget |
sound is recommended.
II cannot too strongly urge that the /
of the chief of ordnance should |
be appropriated. The providing of ade-
quate seacOast defences, while expensive
now. will cease as soon as the require
ments are fulfilled, and / believe 1t will
be wise economy to push forward that
great work to the fullest extent"
1.-THE chief signal officer, in continuance
Of experimental work with military bal
looms. asks an appropriation of $4,000 for
the purpose. This is an object which
needs investigation, and as the amount
n. e. L.. To-. IA /