Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-10-27
HIS ANNUAL MESSAGE.
MIR. Mckinley Will Soon Begin the
Preparation of the Yearly Com
munication to Congress.
GEN. CHAFFEE TALKS ABOUT THE ARMY.
He Does Not Believe There VIII Be . Gen.
erai OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ment Own
ership OF Telegraph Lines VIII Soon Be
Given q Trial In Porto RIco-Penslon
Agency Allowances.

Given q Trial In Porto Rico-Pension
Agency Allowances.
Washington, Oct 23.-While the
president has been away the white
house has been overhauled and put in
condition for the winter. Carpets have
been put down, furniture uph olstered
and arranged. and the regular fall
house cleaning gone through. The
oil paint ings of presidents hanging in
the presidents room have been taken
down and brushed up Soon after
getting down to his desk the presi-
dent will receive the annual reports
of his cabinet officers. and will then
begin the preparation of his annual
message. This will require unusual
de1iberation, and probably more than
the usual time. Consequently, the
regular daily visitors, who had been
growing in number up to the time
the president went away, will not
make much progress in securing the
ear of the chief executive. The pres
ident will have a great deal to do be-
sides preparing his message to con-
gress- He has not yet selected an am
bassador to England. and. the peace
commission probably will need some
attention. Taking charge of Cuban
affairs will engage some OF his time.
The president will also be called upon
to review the court martial findings in
the case of Capt. Carter and Chaplain
Mcintyre. It is understood that Pay
master General Stanton has asked for
the appointment of some additional
only appointments to make. It is be-
lieved that in the near future the long
expected modification of the civil
service rules will be made.
Gen. Chaffee Talks About the Army.
New York, Oct 23.-Gen. II. r. Chat
fee does not believe in the necessity of
any thoroughgoing army reorganiza-
ton. He says:
have sent to Washington my ideas on army
reorganization and other officers have sent
theirs Then there will be a thorough S1ft-
ing OF the whole affair and the authorltles
will decide what ought to be done What
ever they decide to do will be right
and will be accepted absolutely by the
army. 1t is my opinion that they will adopt no
plan of general reorganization The organlza-
ton of the army adopted by the last con-
gress. the three battalion organization, has not
yet been tested. and will probably not be given
up don't think it ought to be. In this little
war there has been no real test OF our organ
ization. Whatever we met in the shape of an
enemy got over so easily that we really
don't know what the merits of our organiza-
ton are, and there is no reason to make a
change until we know 1t is desirable
There is one thing which is not a peculiar
idea of everybody. but is generally recognized
as fact and that is there ought to be more
officers in the regular army. When a war
comes, and many of the officers are detached to
staff service the line is left too bare when ac-
tual fighting comes and officers are very neces-
sary in the fight. The number of officers should
be increased. so that there can be a full num-
tla in oh hoDi int
battle. No doubt there will be an increase in
the size of the regular army. Our garrisons in
Cuba. the Philippines and Porto Rico will ne
cessitate that Things will be decided for the
best and then what we have to do is to obey.
That is the great military virtue and that is
what makes the regular army superior to the
volunteer
Porto Rfcan Telegraph Lines.
Washington, Oct 23.-Government
ownership of telegraph lines will soon
be given trial in Porto Rico. 1hese
lines now cover in extent about 800
miles of the island. They will be op
Grated by United States soldiers in the
signal service, under the direction of
Gen. Greedy. About 100 men, Gen.
Greedy said, would be employed in
the various telegraph offices in Porto
Rico. They will have duties similar
to telegraph operators in this country,
anu Lue " pm SISih
will remain under the control of the
war department until the assent bling
of congress, at least.
Pension Agency Allowances.
Washington, Oct 23.-Acting Secre
tary of the Interior Ryan has made
requisition upon the treasury for the
following pension agency allowances:
Indianapolis, So. 700. 600; Knoxville,
Tenn, 81. 900, 600; Louisville. KY, 81,
O5O, 900; Topeka, Kan, So, 800, 600.
Fatal Wreck the Pittsburg & Gulf.
ST. Joseph, Mo-, Oct. ga south
bound passenger train on the Pitts.
| burg & Gulf road was thrown from