Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 November 1890 — WASHINGTON. [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON.

Shortly after Christmas, Minister Lincoln will sailfor Europe, to resume his duties in England as the representative of this country. In response to the inquiries made by Postmaster General Wanamaker, unde the date of October 0,1890, as to whe the advertisements in newspapers of the “guessing contest” in its various phases are in violation of section 3984 of Revised Statutes, as amended by the anti-lottery act of September 19, 1890, Attorney Gen eral Miller has submitted his opinion, in which he holds in the negative. * The Secretary of War has submitted his! annual report to the President, in which he says that the number of court-martials for the year has been 1,783, or 311 less than last year. In regard to coast defense he urges the appropriation of $8 OXI,OOO qc $10,000,000 annually, which appropriations will, he thinks, in ten years, render the principal harbors of the nation reasonably secure. Desertions have been reduced 34 per cent., there being 2,086 last year. He says the recently enacted law npon this subject was passed too late to have had much effect up te the date. This law permits a man to purchase his discharge after a year’s service for a sum sufficient to reimburse the government for its expense in recruiting a new man, or, at the end of three years, he Is entitled to free discharge.' He suggests that every enlisted man should, under fixed rules, he allowed to compete Tor a commission, rather than upon recommendation of a company commander. In discusing retirement of officers he says it should be carefully limited into some proper way. The privilege of retiring an unlimited number of superanuated officers, while the number of those retired of neces-. sity if limited to 400, is an unjust one, and it should, be amended rather to favor the latter class. During the year the department expended $17,8 57,756, and $62,799,095 is appropriated for the present year.