The evening times., 1899-10-18
A REPORT FROM MERRIAM
s,fS
Changed Conditions in the Depart
ment of the Missouri.
The General Calls Attention to the
Reduction of It's Strength-The
Work of Teaching and Drilling
Recruits Interferes With TheOreti-
cal Instruction-OfHcers Comments.

The annual report of Brig. Gen. Henry
c. Merriam, commanding the Department
OF the Missouri, was made public today.
General Merriam calls attention to the
aew conditions in the departmental work
brought about by the Cuban campaign and
organization of regiments for service in
the Philippines, remarking that this work
was almost as great as organizing new
commands, and taxed to the utmost the in
genuity, ability, and strength of the officers
in his department Many recruits were
brought into the army not up to the former
high standard.
He says: Il consider the department now
reduced to its lowest strength compatible
with the needs OF the country it embraces.
During the past year within the limits of
the department the regular forces lave
not been called upon for any emergency.
The Apache prisoners of war have been
quiet and peaceful and to some extent pur-
sued the avocations of peace
General Merriam remarks that the work
of instructing and drilling recruits inter-
fered greatly with theoretical instruction
and the operations of the post lyceums. He
adds: While ! am a thorough believer in
the benefits that accrue from the conduct
of lyceums at posts. yet | believe the sys-
TEN adapted to periods OF peace only
Capt. Grote Hutcheson, Acting Judge Ad-
vocate and Acting Ordnance Officer of the
Department, whose report is transmitted by
General Merriam calls particular attention
to the recruiting of the army. He says:
1T was impossible TO prevent worthless
characters from creeping into the service.
and the records CT trials become considera-
bly, in excess OF those Of former years.
Considerable difficulty exists in bringing
men 10 trial with prompraess there being
at this time, but two posts in the depart
ment at which a general court martial can
be called from officers al the post
He invites attention to the great num-
Der Of discharges that have been granted
by way OF fayors and remarks: This re-
suits in the impression going abroad
throughout the rank and file of the army
that soldier who is dissatisfied for any
cause can secure his discharge provided he
has a friend who can obtain for him the
influence Of Representative or a Senator.
This impression has a demoralizing effect
on discipline and creates a feeling OF
restlessness and discomfort among the less
favored soldiers"
AS chief ordnance officer he reports the
ordnance and ordnance stores in good con-
dition and ready for instant use Regard
ing the small arm rifle his report says:
The results have eQua!ed the expectations
Of the Ordnance Department. and surpassed
the hopes OF the line. This office is yet
TO learn of a single complaint about the
rifle. csrbine, or revolver, regarding its ef-
fectiveness as a weapon in the hands Of
trained soldiers. The smokeless powder
used in the ammunition was very good,
though some officers appear TO be Of the
opinion that similar powder used by the
Spanish tro-ps is superior TO ours The
consensus OF opinion inclines TO the belief
that the mist resulting from The explosion
on our powder as rather heavier and fails
to dissipate as readily as the powder used
by the SpA7iarls