Democratic Sentinel, Volume 12, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 December 1888 — ARMY AND POSTOFFICES [ARTICLE]

ARMY AND POSTOFFICES

REPORTS OF SECRETARIES ENDICOTT AND DICKINSON. The Administration of the War Depart* nient-Estimate< and Expenditures! for Military Protection—The Postal Service Fully Considered. Secretary Endicott has made a report of the War Department during the fiscal year ended June 30 last. The total expenditures were $41,175,107; the appropriations for the cureent fiscal year amount to $.19,879,934, and the estimates for the fis?al year ending June 30, 1890, aggregate $44,632,507, as follows: Salaries and contingent exjxenses, $1,988,890: military establishment, support of the army, and military academy, $/5,293,378; public works, ineluding river and harbor improvements, $13,885,234; miscellaneous objects, $3,575,000. The Secretary gives a brief review of the trouble, with the Chiriacahua Apache Indians, who are now confined at Mount Vernon barracks, Alabama, and discusses plans lor their disposition. The Secretrry says it is very desirable to secure some place where the climate Is suitable or opportunity may be had to instruct and employ them in agricultui‘e. Desertions from the army continue in large numbers, as in previous years, but from investigations recently made it appears that 80 per cent of the desertions occur before the expiration of the second year of service. In discussing the various plana suggested to prevent desertions the Secretary says: “It is worthy of consideratioxx whether the officers in command of troops at military pasts, or the captains of companies, should not be authorized to impose punishment for xuixxor offenses. But in gx anting such authority it will l>e necessary to specify the extent and character of the punishment for each offence, otherwise there would be no uniform rule, nor would it be wise to impose so large a discretion upon a single officer. ’ ’

The Secx-etary says that all the States and Territories now have an active nxilitia sufficient under the regulations to entitle them to I'eceive ordnance and quartermasters’ stores from the United States, excepting the State of Arkansas and the Territories of Arizona, Idaho, and Utah. It is hoped that very soon practical instruction in seacoast defenses and the handling of heavy artillery may be given to the militia, and the officers of the army may be relied upon to give a zealous and cordial assistance. The report continues: “By a generous supply of ammunition fox - target practice to colleges where army officers are serving as instructors it is possible that competitive contests in rifle shooting might, in time, become as popular with some of these inland colleges as biwit racing is now at the universities at our seaboard.” The attention of Congress is again invited to the defenseless condition of the seacoast and lake frontiers, and liberal and immediate action is recommended looking to the effective defense of our principal seaports. The Secretary adds: “It would appear now more important than ever that such action should be taken at the second session of the present Congress in view of the fact that the last session gave appropriations for the constauctioxx of heavy ordnance. Without .heavy platforms, strong armored protection, and other permanent emplacements these guns and mortars when finished will be of comparatively little use. “The building of modern gun and mortar batteries requires longer periods of time thaxx the construction of the armament. It would appeal* the part of wisdom that the preparation of these two important components of a well-equip]>ed defense shoulg proceed simultaneously. For the beginnind of the construction of such defenses an appropriation of $2,840,000 is asked for.” He concludes his reports by calling attention to the great need of an assistant Secretary of Wax*, and says that such an officer is imperatively needed for the proper and efficient administration of the war department.

THE FOSTOFFICE DEPARTMENT. An Estimated Deficiency tor the Last Fiscal Year of *4,190,227. Postmaster-General Dickinson’s annual report shows a remarkable expansion of business anti a large increase in expenditure. The gross revenue for the year was $52,695,176. The total expenditures, inclusive of liabilities for the year unpaid and embracing the amount for transportation of mails on Pacific railroads, for which the government receives credit, was $56,885,403. The estimated deficiency is $4,190,227. The total estimated gross receipts for the year ending June 30, 1889, are $57,392,576. The amount appropriated for the service of the year is $60,860,223. The total number of postoffices is 57,376, an increase over 1885 of 6,124. The number of postmasters appointed during the year was 12,288, of which 6,521 were upon resignations and commissions expired, 1,244 upon removals, 659 to fill vacancies by death, and 3,684 on establishment of new postoffices. One thousand six hundred and forty-five postoffices were discontinued during the year, and the names and sites of 1,493 offices changed, retaining the incumbents. The adjustment of July 1, 1888, established ninety-seven offices in the first the third class, making a total of Presidential offices at the date last named of 2,502. The gross receipts which accrued at the presidential offices for the four quarters ended March 31, 1888, amounted to $38,438,987, an increase of $3,326,826 as compared with the adjustment of July 1, 1887. There lias been an increase of $522,5'10 in the amount required for the salaries of Presidential ]>ostmasters over the amount required for 1887. The total volume of busmess in the money-order division for the year is upwards of $143,000,000, and shows a net profit to the government of about $50,000. The report recommends a revision of the law regulating the compensation of fturthclass postmasters so as to provide for a readjustment in harmony with the reductions in postage rates; a readjustment in the classification and salaries of clerks in the larger postoffices, and the repeal of the law fixing the minimum rent for third-class officer at S3OO, with an allowance of S6O for fuel and lights. The best interests of the service, the report says, require that the last mentioned items should be left discretionary with the department.