Gilpin observer., 1899-09-14


pacity of 1000 pounds of smokeless
powder daily. This output seems large
mt first thought, but one of the big
thirteen-inch guns of the Indiana uses
LOCO pounds of powder at Il single
shot. The various buildings of the
powder plant cover Il wide area about
four miles back from the river. The
general purpose has been to keep The
buildings as far apart as the require
ments of manufacture would permit,
in order to avoid the danger of eX-
plosion. For that reason there is no
large central building. but many small
ones. each having distinct branch of
the powder making. They are also ar
ranged with n view to the prevailing
winds. so that the risk of having the
fumes of acids borne by the wind is
reduced to Il minimum.
Orders will be issued from the War
Department in II day or two announc-
ing the field and staff officers of two
additional volunteer regiments which
will be organized after the manner OF
the so-called immune regiments sent tC
Cuba last year their company officers
and privates being exclusively colored
men. 1t is expected that these regi-
ments will be recruited with greater
rapidity than the white regiments and
that experienced men will fill them st
quickly that the two commands will bt
ready to sail for the Philippines early
in November. The addition of these
regiments to the army almost exhausts
the quota of $4,000 volunteers alloweJ
by Congress. There will then be TWEEN.
ty-five regiments of 1,3OO men each.
which, with the Porto Rico naval bat
talon of 400 men, leaves a margin of
or not quite enough for another regi-
ment and a half. General Miles haG
recommended three colored regiments
while General Otis had reported thai
negroes We're not desired in the Philip
pines. the friendly natives bein.
strongly prejudiced against them. 1t is
likely that one of the new organiZa
tions will have its temporary quarters
at Richmond and be commanded by
Captain William p. Duvall, First ar
tillery. who was major in the inspec-
tor generals department and lieuten-
ant colonel in the ordnance corps last
year. The other regiment will proba-
bly, be organized at Admission. Ala
bama. All the officers have already
been selected for the two organizations
and 1t only remains for the President
to issue the commissions and for the
War Department to direct the begin
ming of recruiting
In an interview W. II. Merriam, di-
rector of the census, said in reference
to the appointment of the enumer-
ntors: Our next great undertaking
and any branch of n work which must
reach every nook and corner. farm and
cabin in the United States is GREATS
that of selecting about 5000 enumer-
.lfnrS for a inU ha
We are trying strenuously to prepare
for n complete and reasonably perfect
census. The burden of the work of
the materials for it, however
Will fall on the enumeratOrS. In any
important line of private business pre-
liminary training is required of those
charged with conducting its details
Lawyers and doctors study before they
practice their professions, and mechan-
les are required to serve thorough ap-
prenticeships before asking for Jour
neymen's work or wages. So. in my
view, those who desire to act as cen
sus enumerators should take up the
study of census laws. schedules and
thus familiarizing them
selves. as far as possible. with the de-
tails of the work. In this way they
will be prepared on the 1st of June
hht IL STtul anu
army, to begin their labors understand
ingly and harmoniously from ocean to
ocean. without after that day reu,lir-
ing further orders or instructions.
While | shall not undertake to select
enumerators without consulting with
the proper census supervisor as to the
qualifications and experience of appli-
cants, | would like to suggest that all
adopt the course | have in
dicated and thus help to insure ut the
threshold of the twentieth century the
most perfect census in the history of
the republic"
1t has not yet been determined
whether General Miles and his stnll
will go to Manila next month or not,
If he does 90. 1t will have to be in n
similar capacity to that which he oc.
cupied mt Santiago. rather than i'm the
exercise of such authority rs that in
which he was clothed in Porto Rico.
for no idea appears to be entertained
by Secretary Root of having General
Otis superseded. Notwithstanding the
popular demand for his recall to the
United states. Under the circum-
stances it is thought General Miles will
prefer to maintain his headquarters of
the army in Washington, where he
may exert his Influence more effective.
ly in directing the campaign as the
chief military instrument of the prcsi-
dent and the secretary of war. An en-
couraging feature of the coming cam
paign against. Aguinaldo is the assur-
ance now given at the War Depart
mcnt that increased responsibility and
authority have been given to the com
mnnding generals in the field. thereby
to n great extent enabling General Otis
to devote more attention to administra-
tive affairs which have increased enor-
mously and will continue to multiply
ms new territory is brought under his
jurisdiction by aggressive naval and
military operations. The campaign. ii
is hoped. will prove brief and thor
oughly effective. The date of begin
ming this general campaign does not de.