serious obstacles that the execution of Division General Orders, No. 58, of 1900 (requiring quarterly inspections) has not been possible in all cases. Nevertheless, by frequent journeys, at odd times, and by taking advantage of all opportunities, the duty of inspection has been well performed.

In the Journal of the Continental Congress of December 11, 1777, will be found a resolution expressing the opinion of Congress that it is essential to the promotion of discipline in the American Army, and to the reformation of the various abuses which prevail in the different departments, that an appointment be made of inspectors-general, to “be conferred on experienced and vigilant general officers, who are acquainted with whatever relates to the general economy, maneuvers, and discipline of a well-regulated army." Under this resolution an inspector-general, with the rank of major-general, was appointed, and a corps of sub-inspectors and brigade inspectors, having regimental rank, was announced in orders. The inspection branch was thus inaugurated and became an important factor of the Army; and so essential to its welfare was it considered by George Washington when general commanding that it received, after more than five years of experience, his entire approbation and the expression of his sense of public obligation for the meritorious services rendered during the crucial test of war. The expressed intention of the resolution has, it is believed, been fully met in appointments to, and details in the corps; and experienced officers who were known to be able, zealous, conscientious, discreet, and possessing high professional attainments, have habitually been selected. Fully equipped for the exercise of subordinate command upon joining the corps, the experience gained in it by the observation of persons in command or official responsibility and the different methods adopted to enforce law, regulations, and orders, the administration of various posts and the best way to effect uniformity, economical administration, better discipline, and a higher state of efficiency-all of which is included in the inspector's sphere of duty-adds to his efficiency and enables him, upon being assigned to higher inspection duty, to readily perceive what is lacking and where attention is necessary, so that the desired standard may be attained and the public interests properly safeguarded. The recent application of the general commanding the Department of the Missouri, illustrates that an experienced inspector should be thoroughly well fitted for the exercise of the most exacting duties. And it is a great source of pleasure to have so many of those who have served in the Inspector-General's Department during my administration and before, both as captains and field officers, receiving appointments as general officers and eminently filling them-a slight recognition of their past most valuable and meritorious services in both the line and staff. Such names as Lawton, Hughes, and Sanger have gone from the roll of the regular establishment, and Otis, Chaffee, Hall, Kent, the Sumners, Baldwin, and Jesse M. Lee, the detailed inspectors-general. What has been accomplished by them, as well as by those who have remained in the Department, during the past years of most creditable duty, zealously, loyally, and effectively performed, is highly appreciated and gladly acknowledged. The system which produces such merit is worthy, when found, of making a note of. During the active service of the last few years the loss of General Lawton upon a Filipino battlefield made a gap in our own ranks that all the Army and the nation felt. His services leave an example well to follow in all that is most soldierly. The corps has assiduously attempted to perform its full duty to the finish, but still some worthy

people criticise such men as remiss, though it serves to mark the critics at least as much as it can annoy or injure such soldiers.

The benefits from fearless, frequent, and faithful inspections working together for a common purpose and well directed, like a foot-ball team, have been illustrated in every branch of military duties, whether affecting the training and instruction of the officer, or the comfort of the soldier at the farthest front and amid all the discomforts of travel, when it too often seems as if every man's hand was against him; or the military outfit and qualities essential to the best success; or the handling of money and property and the care of stations and stores, upon which so much more than economy-even honesty-depends. The system established by Washington, Steuben, and Hamilton still serves its purposes well, aiding to its utmost to encourage excellence and to minimize all that is not good.

The following table shows in detail the amount of all the various classes of inspection duty performed by this Department, or under its auspices, since July 1, 1889, from which a very good idea may be obtained of the volume of the work performed and its growth. It indicates during that time the inspection of about half a million of men; and the simultaneous examination of property for condemnation amounting to over one hundred million of articles, of which about five million dollars' worth was saved to the Government; and the disbursements inspected amounted to nearly two billion of dollars; and it is believed that all those who founded or have encouraged the system, both since and prior to the adoption of our national Constitution, could hardly have expected more, and, with at least some of the results, our superiors have been satisfied. Though as quiet as dew, and falling upon all alike, it has not been ineffective, and has had the constant supervision and watchful and organized care that such successful team work always requires. But those who have felt the halter draw may speak evil of the work occasionally: though the most worthy have habitually sustained it and never found it too drastic, but have always been consistently appreciative.

Statement of work performed by officers of the Inspector-General's Department since July

a Including units of weight and measure. No inventory and inspection reports were received at this office prior to February, 1892: and the supply departments have not furnished the information.

Statement of work performed by officers of the Inspector-General's Department since July 1, 1889-Continued.

It will thus be seen that more than 61,000 inspections were made in the thirteen years considered-an average of about 4,695 per year, including nine years of peace and a small military establishment.

To say that these duties were arduous and exacting, would only be to repeat what is already well known throughout the Army; and that they have been performed with the greatest zeal and fidelity by the officers upon whom they have devolved is believed also to be sufficiently in evidence. It need not be pointed out which part of this work has been more effective or attracted most attention: but it will be easy for any to believe that throughout the length and breadth of the military service it has borne good fruit.

The following table shows how this work was distributed among the inspecting officers much as the disbursements among paymasters are annually indicated in the reports of the Paymaster-General.

It may be noted how few men in such a group saw service in our civil war, and how the relative rank of these excels that of many who are now pressing to the front. This is equally noticeable throughout the Army, and while leadership in battle is intrusted confidently to the old veterans, whose scars prove their trustworthiness and whose experience amid every exigency of war is valuable, still the places which knew them will know them no more forever, and their services become as a tale that is told: those who replace them doubtless have equal merit.

Number of

Inspected in ranks.

arsenals,

Offi-
cers.

Men.

Offi-
cers.

Men.

Maj. H. P. Kingsbury

3, 195, 282.84

Capt. A. B. Dyer

2,533, 386.99

Capt. E. D. Hoyle

1,290, 916.66

4,273

2, 116, 528.55

5,211

2