The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-29

From the Baltimore Clipper.

From the Baltimore Clipper
OfFIcERs OF THE ARMY-Ws noticed few days since
the proposition 10 establish asylum for old, innrm, or
disabled soldiers and the means BY which the object
could be effected without cost 10 the governments and
rs our purpose this morning TO refer to recommendation
contained IN the report OF Major Gen. A Macomb dated
November a. 1870 IN relation to the of keeping
the corps oil officers effective" net only without expense
bat with saving to government Gen Macomb reduced
his suggestions to the shape OF bill, but we not
aware that there was ever any action on by Congress
Ii is known that officers OF the army, by OF
age wounds, or other intmes, are disqualified for &C
tive service and yet they necessarily hold their rank and
receive their pay and emoluments whilst juniors have
to perform the duty We would not have anything done
which would SAVIOR OF injustice 10 the veteran officers of
force should be effective We are therefore, disposed
TO approve the recommendation OF Major General Ma
comb, that provision be made 10 enable such nom
effective officers 10 retire from the service with com
peDsation adequate to their support in respectable
y The first section OF this bill provides hat when
ever an oicer who shall have served at least TWEEN
y years shall report himself unfit TO perform the duties
of his office in consequence OF age or other n6rmtes
or, in like manner, whenever any officer shall be report
ed by bus commanding or superior officer unfit to per-
form his Official duties, IN consequence OF wounds or
other nhrmtes contracted while the line Of his duty,
the President of the United States be- and he s hereby
authorized to constitute and appoint board OF commits
stoned officers TO consist OF i've members, four of whom
to be officers Of rank superior, If possible to the officer
reporting himself, oreng reported, unfit to perform
his duty and one officer OF experience of the medical
staff; which board shall examine into the and con
dton OF such officer and give lis opinion 10 his fit
ness or un6tness 20 be continued active duty; which
report shall be laid before the Secretary of War; TO be
submitted the President of the United States who will
determine with regard to such officer may be reported
by the SAID board unfit for duty. whether he shall
shall not be placed the retired list hereinafter
forth"
The second section allows such retired officer to ere
ceve only his pay proper" 10 which might be added
reduced number OF rauons, as to make the support al
lowed TO the retired officer amply sufficient.
The third section provides that officers promoted in
consequence OF the withdrawal of retired officers shall
have rank, pay, &c. according 10 his station
The report then proceeds to show that the effect of this
plan will be TO save money TO the United States. at the
time that it viii render the army much etiec.
tive But, if the cost the same the arrang ement
would be better for the officers and for the country for
says General Maconb "by the present system all officers
receive full pay and emoluments whether they capa-
Bile OF service no and the effective officers obliged
30 the duty Of the effective without any advantage
But by the above plan, the effective officer will have
a reasonable allowance made him being retired, and
the officer who will be obliged TO DO his duty will receive
advanced rank with additional emoumenls; so that, if
lie proposed plan be adopted may be expected that all
parties interested would be satisfied"
We are led to call attention to this subject in the hope
that Congress may be induced to establish permanent
basis system which will provide for the support Of
veteran but effective officers and give fair opportu-
nifty for the advancement OF those actively engaged in the
nuh c