Evening star., 1901-10-28

sirable under any conditions. but whose real
character was not known at the time of
enlistment
Under the regulations In force at the
Military Academy at West Point, occupied
by the corps of cadets and a regular gar
rison, and under those that have always
prevailed at the Soldiers Home at Wash
ington. where there are now S53 men, rang
ing from twenty-five to over seventy years
of age, the same condition of affairs has ex-
listed for many years, with most gratifying
results and there Is no doubt that the re-
suit Of the present law in it's effects upon
military garrisons will also be beneficial.
Instance of Good Discipline.
THE discipline and efficiency of COM
mands largely depend upon the command
| ing officer. An illustration of the excellent
| discipline, sobriety and good order that may
| be maintained in a command is afforded by
| the fact that In the 14th United States In
fantry, under the command of Lieut.. Col.
William Quinton, while route from Ma
nila to Fort Smelling, Mimi, covering
| period Of forty days, the men were orderly
and Soldierly in the extreme, and during the
| whole time of travelling by transport and
| rail there was but one case Of drunkenness,
although. the men were subjected to every
| tempta ton, having been given three days
| liberty while the transport was coaiing at
| NagaSaki and subsequently four days while
! the vessel remained at anchor at Yoko-
| hama, with permission also to those who
desired to visit Toxic, the only condition
| imposed being that they should at all times
respect their uniform and hold 1t as sa-
| cred they would the flag of their coun-
! try. While going from San Francisco to
Fort Smelling not single case of disci-
plinary measure was required, the behavior
Of the soldiers throughout being that of
responsible, sober, respectable, self-respect-
ing men. The commanding officer expressed
regret, however, that civilian employees
| travelling on a government conveyance and
discharged soldiers still wearing the United
States clothing did bring disgrace upon the
service through the uniform which they
| wore. The above instance, like many 9TH
ers that could be given, illustrates the ex-
cellent conduct Of the troops when under
the command of an efficient, judicious Of
fcer.
Probably at no time in the history of the
army have there been many men serv-
ing in their first enlistment as at the pres
ent time, and in many of the troops and
companies 1t has been difficult to find ex-
perienced soldiers to fill the positions of
non-commissioned officers. The army is
composed of men whose average age va
ries in different companies in many from
only twenty-five to twenty-six years, and
they are, on the whole, men Of fair educa-
ton, Intelligent and In excellent physical
condition. 1t is hoped and confidently be-
lieved that the zeal and loyal devotion to
the service that is now being manifested on
the part of all officers will in short time
render the army as near perfection In point
| of discipline and efficiency as 1t IS possible
to attain
Local concentrations.
In concluding his report Gen. Niles makes
the following remarks concerning purely To-
cal institutions:
II again call attention to the unhealthful
and unsghtly condition Of the grounds on
the west side Of the city Of Washington, ad-
jacent to the Potomac river, known as the
Potomac flats. and renew the recommended
ton made in my last annual report, which
IL as follows:
There is needed in the immediate vicin-
ity Of the national capital suitable grounds
for the encampment Of regular troops when
ever assembled, and for state troops when
occasionally required; and I call attention
to the necessity for Congress to make the
requisite appropriation for putting the
ground near the capital known as Potomac
fats. in suitable condition for such purpose
and for such other purposes as may be re-
quired. It's condition now Is most unsatis-
factory and Is menace to the health OF the
people living at the national capital
For many years there has been main
tanned military garrison at Washington
composed Of light artillery and infantry or
heavy artillery. The advisability OF such
measure cannot be questioned. Such force
should be within or near the national capi-
tai and not separated from 1t by q river, the
crossing Of which is liable to be rendered
impossible. By recent order q. detachment
of the corps of engineers has been directed
to be stationed at Washington barracks and
all other troops removed. II this is to pre-
VAIL then recommend that suitable site
washington, and on the left bank OF the
Potomac either within the District boun-
daries or in the state Of Maryland. where
proper garrison Of infantry and artillery
can be maintained"