Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-04-29

would SO conSderit All he aimed az was obtain (,
in prompt decision Ii it would be any more
pleasing 10 that Committee, lac would modify his
resolution Ia such a manner as to direct them 10
report upon the subject. In the days of Mr.. JEFF
ier>on our Army had consisted of 5000 men, and
We had one Brigadicr General. As il now con-
sisted of 5000. he presumed two Bliradiers would
be as competent 70 discharge the duties as one was
when the Army contained but half that number.
he could not the least possible necessity
for the Office Of Major General. lie believ-
ed II had been difficult for military men 10 deter
mine, while we had both Major General and an
AdJutlnt General at the Seat Of Government whe.
ther the Major commanded the Adiutant, or the
Adjutsnt commanded the Major. Ii the Army
should be divided into two Brigades, one in the
East and the other in the West, or one in the
North, and the other in the South all its duties
might be performed with perfect ease In this
view he was confirmed by the opinions of men well
acquainted with the nature and amount O. the bu-
siness required 20 be done.
MIR. w. then modified his second resolution by
adding 10 il the following:
" And that the Committee ON Military Affairs
be directed to report bill Tor the aforesaid pur
pose.
MIR. Hamilton, Chairman Of the Committee on
Military Affairs, said, that he did not rise to pro-
test against any labor which the House might, by
It's vote, think proper 10 dcvolve on the Committee
on Military Affairs for he confessed, that il the
liouSe vas to make any decision at all on the
y.
rama lac preferred the very issue which he had
tenderc
lie telt 1t due 20 the committee, and to himself.
TO relate to the House the course which the resou-
Ton offered by tie gentlemen from North Carroll
na, some time since, instructing them TO inouire
into the espediency Of abolishing the Office of Ma
lor General had taken. He had, at an early day.
brought the resolution TO the consideration of the
committee, by the vote Of which, after short dis
cussion, 1t was laid on the table, on the avowed
~ at o..
same topic, II was important TO ascertain what de-
cislon tlat body might make on this question:
after the Senate had decided, he again brought
t!ie resolution 10 the view of the committee when
II was alter long discussion, again postponed,
LOT a reason that might seem somewhat obN ious
which he stated, not az matter of induccmcnt no,y
Tor the House, (ior he was aware that that would
be out OF order) but showing the reasons of the
committees; which were, that, as a coordinate
branch oil this Legislature, as well as co ordinate
branch oil the Executive, had upon full considc-
ration determined by a vote of % 10 20 adversely
10 Tue abolition OF the Office that TO report in favor
ot TINS measure now, was nearly 10 introduce a
SUBJECT pTotTacted IN Its discussion, and fruitess
IN us result asst was hopeless 10 suppose that,
even II tins House should be favorable TO looming
oil the office OF Major General the Senate, after
SO decisive ayote, would change, or review its de-
clson. Since the gentleman from North Carroll.
ma mad offered his last resolution, nstructing the
committee imperatiycl9 10 report a bill 90 abolish
the office absolutely, the committee had iorbornc
any further proceeding, waiting the instruction of
the House.
He had so often protested himself an Apostle
10 the good iath, brcVity in debate that he would
eh1eaVor, on this occasion, 10 stick TO his creed
1i.u IN the shortest terms, present the views oil
tne department oil War as its Official organ in
mas House, against the policy of the proposed
abolition.
The oiIiee of Major Generals in strict reference
ara congTuity 10 not only tl:e existing orpaniza-
ton OF the Army, but 10 that which has prevailed
al other periods OF our Military History. One
Major General and two Brigadiers form even an
economical arrangement, as tested by the anaIo-
sies OF foreign service, and the practice of cur
own government. As e2rly as 1899, an act was
passed, on the 81 ofAiarch of that YEAR urevidinq
an organization suggested by Gen. Washington &.
ten Hamilton, by which two Regiments of infa,I-
try or cavalry formed 4 Brigade, TO be COM
Ihaiued by Brig1dier; two brigades division to
be commanded by Major General Now we
nave four Regiments OF Artillery, seven Reri-
nents OF Infantry, corps of Engineers, and the
Military Academy West Point Taking this IS
standard, we ought now 10 have six BrieaGiers.
ana three Major Generals. The existing or.,a
Hlzailon, therefore, Of Major General and Two
bTlgadiers, was saving which he thought ouire
sutncient, but from which nothing further could be
retienched without the hazard of inuIiDg In,
public service.
Mr.. Hamilton said, tia the would rot take up
the time OF The House by reading at Ienpff a on.r
and satisfactory letter which he had received from
tae Secretary Of War, unequivocally favorable TO
the retention OF the office. Ii would be sufficient
ior him TO state, that the Secretary considered
that Commanding General resident at the Seat of
Government, had been, aud would be- a valuable
auxiliary TO him in The discharge of his duties.
Independently OF the duties which mi~Lt pronerI,.
belong TO thai officer himself
The duties OF a Secretary Of War are priuci
paIly administrative, not Executive The detail,
OF the Army, the distribution oiits parts its dis
cIplIne and improvement, should all dc voIve ~, q,
thorough bred soldier man who can. bv evne-
Renee, understand the wants, and by syinpatbv
the feelings, Of the Army. A Secretary OF War,
from the very nature of things from the inevitable
ana predominant operation OF the civil over the
military in the political arrangement of power in
this country, will be selected rathar from The no
iihcians, than from among those who have been
distinguished III its military service It, there
fore, becomes vitality important that the effective
mead oil the Army should, in fact, be a soldier, and
.nd'' III the strict military sense, there should be
but one fountain of authority. In other words
that the Army should all look up 10 one common
head OF supreme rank: That this was calculated
10 keep down local factions in the Army, & was pro
duciive II he might speak, OF an individuality in
Its espT5tde Corps IL the officer of Mai General is
abolishcd,we should probably have two rmes, with
Oncers oI equivalent rank al the head of each -
an Army oithc East, an Army Of the West. or of
the south and North, by which factions were Of
ten engendered, leading 10 reprehensible subyer-
sions OF discipline. Major General, stationed
IN time OF peace, at the Seat OF Government, i'm
daily communication with the President or Secre-
tary OF War, with 10 other occupation, and hay-
ing the interest Of the whole Army al heart: sur
veying all its parts, relieving the Secretary Of ali
matters OF detaI-ior the proper regulation Of
which professional experience can alone SUNNY
the necessary information to hin, MI
II as one oi the most useful officers in the Gov
eminent. 10 is well known that the Secretary of
War, Ia experimenting the expenditures and ac-