Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-01-02

partment of War proper evidence of CHAR
acter and qualifications, and be appoint
ed and commissioned in the same man
ner, and take the same oath as officers ot
the line of the army, and enter iuto bond,
with approved security. for the faithful
performance oftleir duties.
The rank OF these officers should IN no
case entitle them to command IN the line,
except when specially ordered thereto by
the commanding General. Rank, how
ever. should be given them, because with
ont il they would often be subject 10 the
embarrassing controul OF Young, inexpe-
rienccd officers, aud would fail to com
inand, in the lower grades of the army,
that respect which rank is necessary 10
produce.
The chief Of the CommissarIat should
have the controul of the officers q other
persons employed in hisdepartment. And,
under The direction of the War Depart
nent, should superintend the purchase
and supply of rations, &c. &c.
Ii should be the duty of the Commissa-
ries of divisions and departments 10 make
all purchases of the component parts OF
rations, aud forward the same 10 such
places and in such quantities Tor issue as
the general or officer commanding the
departments may direct respectively, and
Ia make unexpected visits To the different
posts, inspect the provisions and regu-
late the issues, the accounts Il abstracts,
&c.
The purchasing as well as the issuing
Commissaries TO be required 10 make
monthly dis well as quarterly statements
of the amount of cash received aud eX-
pended, the quantity of provisions pur-
chased and the quantity issued since last
return; as well as the quantity and quail
ity of provisions on hand. These
statements to be certified upon honor, q
forwarded to the chief of the Department
and duplicate thereof sent to the gene
eral or public officer commanding. They
will moreover be required 10 render quar-
terly accounts in such form as may be
prescribed by the War Department.
In this way, the state of the supplies
and accounts of each officer of the Com
missariat will be distinctly understood
monthly, and quarterly, by the chief of
the Department; who, possessing the
power to arrest or suspend any delinquent,
would prevent or promptly detect every
irregularity. But the most effectual check
will be found in the general officers com
manding divisions, departments andprln-
cipal posts, who, i'll addition TO the pow
er to arrest and try officers, should be au-
lilOflZGu 10 receive from tltil all puDiiC
monies, and supply the place of such de-
iinguent officers by temporary appoint
ments, until the casual vacancies should
be filed.
Its the duty of the Inspector, to inspect
the troops and supplies OF each post and
corps once in two months-in addition 70
TINS he may be instructed, TO inspect the
provisions particularly as to qualify and
quantity, and compare the same with the
monthly report of the Commissary, and
i'll all cases of neglect or omission on the
part of such Commissary he viii be pun
ishable by the sentence OF a general court
martial.
Itseems to be admitted by all that in
time OF war the Colnmissariat would be
decidedly preferable to the contract sys-
ten.
This Iconsider to be conclusive argu-
ment iii favor OF the Immediate adoption
OF the measure. iidny branch ofmiitary
knowledgeis necessary for state ofwar,
It's practical Introduction III time ofpeace
cannot but be proper, iii. he practicable.
The Commissariat particularly should he
organized and put into operation III time
OF peace.
have the honor TO be,
Very respectfully,
Your most obedient servant,
EDMUND Z. GAINES.