The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-08-17

do not care to enter into any public
/ discussion in regard to them The
| Spanish war has brought about a we'll
defined agreement among the many
! mem bers of congress that there must
] be some radical change made in the
present system of keeping up the re-
serve army of the United States The
| constitution gives congress the power
to organize, arm, equip and discipline
| the militia of the several states at ma
uOnaI expense, and there IS little doubt
but that a proposition will be made this
winter for congress to relieve the states
of the necessity OF making any military
National Guard may be organized and
drilled under the direction Of the gov
ernment at Washington
Should this idea be carried out Fort
mobilization point for the militia forces
of the middle western states; and 1t is
not an impossibility in the near future
that any American citizen who Will
take the trouble to visit that reserva-
tion at the time of these great gather
lngS will be bic to see an army corps
Of $4,000 men or more on the march, IN
camp, fighting sham battles or carry
ing on the work Of war under the direc-
tion of the field officers of the American
army This will be something worth
going a long distance to see, and one
which Will not be duplicated except on
rare occasions even in the older cOun-
tries of Europe, where governments
have been upon a military basis for
centuries past
In the future there will be few sold
iers in the regular army of the United
States who win have served a portion
of their time at this school of practical
obstruction, and certainly no officer will
consider his military education COM
plete until he has passed through the
practical schools of Fort Leavenworth;
has led his squad of men from LeaVen-
worth to Riley and back again and has
to his credit a certain term on the star
of the United tSates war college
When the present buildings now un-
derway at Fort Leavenworth are COM
pIeted there will be accommodations for
at least $500 enlisted men and 15O off,
GERS. That is TO say, two full regi-
ments. each with its full complement of
officers, and in addition to these a full
STAFF Of Instruction The old buildings
which have been erected from time to
time still stand, and serve their pur-
pose. They look quaint and old-fash-
ioned. however, beside the modern bar
racks and handsome quarters now be-
ing built The work now under con-
structiOn consists of a hospital which
Will cost about $4,000; two cavalry
barns, costing about $50, 600; a set of
quarters for bachelor officers, which will
cost $40, 900. an artillery barracks cost
ing over $50, 900: eight double sets Of
quarters for married officers. costing
nearly $3.50, 900.
To these must be added gun sheds,
artillery barns. three infantry barracks.
tWeuty-One officers quarters and a new
administration or headquarters build
ing The stables hold over LOCO head
of horses and mules. and the payroll
of the men stationed at Fort Leaven-
worth under present conditions, when
the improven ents under way are com-
pIeted will amount to at least 100000
a. month
It is probable the secretary of war
will make some more additional rec
concentrations in regard to Fort Leav-
enworth in his forthcoming report to
the president, and in view OF the in
creasing Importance of the military
arm of the government congress viii
take these under serious considerable
It is the uncertainty of legislation
only which prevents definite plans be-
ing announced in regard to the future
of this western military school. 1t is
not impossible that as the population
of the west increases, and the political
balance is disturbed. that there VIII
also be a second West Point establish
nent west of the Mississippi river. and
this of course would be located at Fort
Ieavenworth. The United States does
things on a magnificent scale. once
they are undertaken as the result Of a
popular demand, and a few years from
now a 81. 100000 item for Fort Leaven-
worth in the annual appropriation bill
win excite no comment, for it is an
institution which IN time viii become
the pride Of the American nation
L WILLIAM THAVIS
To Cure Chllls or Malaria in 4 DAYS
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