Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-12-14

Of life shall be for evil or for GOOD.
The reasons heretofore urged for an ausmehta'
ton and more efficient organization OF the topo-
pranh,c corns. still exist in full force. The d.
lies assigned Ia thatbrsnchnf the sta6 require
extensive scientific attainments. together WIN
much experience. They are productive OF im>
purtant advantages, as well in peace as IN wer;
and therefore address themselves, with peculiar
furce, to the favorable consideration OF the "o''
ernmen.. This corps is not sufficiently numer'
Gus for the disrharg Of the duties required VI H.
and the additional expenditures, rendered neces.
sary by this state Of things, EXCEED the amount
demanded by the proposed augmentation. In
dependently, however, of the absolute economy
which would result from the adoption OF this
measure, il is called Tor by other and not less FOR
chile consider atons. All experience proves
that corps organized upon military principles Is
more responsible. mare efficient, aud better gov.
erned. than individuals can be. who are united
by different aud ordinary associations Causes
are put in operation which necessarily produce
emulation, pr OCCASIONAL pride, and united action.
The character Of the corps is dear to every ind,-
ydual, and each becomes Identified with its pros
poets and reputation. Officers temporarily as.
signed to Typographical duties cannot be expect.
cd to feel The same interest in the prosecution oil
these Iabors which they would do il they were
constituent members Of the corps. and looking
forward to it for advancement in professional
standing, as well as in military rank Many Of
ficers. however, are thus occasionally employed.
and, were they not so. much OF this branch OF the
public interest would remain unpxecuted. An
efficient and increased organization, fully ade.
ouate to the dutrs Of the corps. may be effected
| without any addition to the public expenditure.
For the details OF such plan. beg leave to re-
fer To the report OF the officer Temporarily 10
charge of tina, bureau.
There IL probably no class OF officers under the
! Government whose compensation is more made
ouate to their services, than that Of the medical
.,aff Of the army. There are but two grades,
surgeon aud assistant surgeon. III this corps; aud
the nav of the former is rtv.Gve dolars. aud the
paw of the latter is forty dollars per month.
The prospect Of gradual and continued pro.
motion, held out to the other officers Of the ar
NV. is a powerful incentive to good conduct, and,
| when realized. becomes is just reward. Oi
this the medical officers are deprived; tor the
slight difference of rank and pay at present ex'
istng is scarcely "orlhy of consideration. The
nature Of their professions. requiring time. expe'
riencr, and pscunary means. tor its acquisition;
the responsible aud arduous services demanded
of them: the relation, not always pleasant one,
IN which they stand to the line oil the army; aud,
may add. in justice to this meritorious class OF
officers. their general capacity. responsibility,
and good conduct, entitle them 10 higher rate
oG compensation; aud indulge the hope that
their claims will be faroraE!y considered.
In the subsistence Of the army an important
change has been made, which. trust. will prove
salutary to the health and morals of the troops.
In lieu Of spriruous liquor, which formerly com.
ppsed a mart of each ration. colnmutation was
some time since established, by which its value
was paid to each soldier in money; but, at the
same time, he had permission to purchase this de-
s,rurtiye article from the sutler of the post -
The reoulat n YOU have recently authorized,
substitutes coffee and sugar for the commulaiinn
preyiDusly established. Four pounds ut coffee
and eight pounds Of sugar hereafter to be Is-
sued with every one hundred rhtions. And at
those posts where the troops prefer 1t. ten pounds
of rice are allowed to the same number OF ra.
lions. instead of the beans which have formed a
constituent portion of the subsistence Of the
soldier. From a comparative estimate furnish
I'd by the Commissary General, it appears thar
this alteration in the component parts 81 the ra'
tion will add hut two mills aud fnur.tenth 10 its
| cost. and will increase the whole amount OF the
army Subsistence BY a sum not exceeding SIX
| thousand dollars-an expenditure not to be re-
ear,,eI. when the benefits resulting from il are
| tax INTO view. VIII thio az
ropermeut. a regulation was adopted. prohibit.
Inc the sale Of spi,tuous liquors by the suffers
to tie ,rnops, and its intrnducton. under any cir
cum stances. into the camps and forts OF the U.
States. With the exception OF The hospital! stores,
anl Of the quantity necessary to iss1e under
that provision of the law which allows an extra
gill To every soldier engaged IN fatIgae duty
, NJ sut,ority to dispense with this is vested in
! the Executive, and Congress alone can interpuse
thr ne essarv remedy. am satisfied the great
Cause Of public morals. as well as tie discipline
and #, ,ency OF the army, would be promoted
by an entire abolition Of these ISSUES; and can
not but hope that the legislative authority will
be exeried for that purpose An addition Of
three cents to the SUI? allowed for extra daily la
bur. would BIZ more than an adequate pecuniary
compensation Cor the deprivation herein recon-
mended. and woaId increase, but in very in
considerable degree, the public expenditure.
A very partial knowledge of the actual con-
Orion of our army, is sufficient TO satisfy the
most superficial observer. that to habits Of in.
temperance may be traced almost all the evils
of our military establishment. These need