The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-24

Alien ana DAVIS, OF MASSACHUSETTS, lhe Rouse iheI
adjourned
Rank "a the Army.
In compliance with the request OF several officers oil
the slime of the army" who are now serving our
western frontier repubsh in paper this morning
memorial to Congress from officers of the army the
subject OF breve and staff rank, dated at Corpus Christi
December IL, 1916 Entertaining as we do the most
friendly feeling towards this branch of the public service
we would willingly have published. in connexon with
the memorial the several Communications we have re-
ceived in regard TO rank but in doing il might be
inferred that we invited discussion OF the subject,
which the present pressure columns totally for
bids, we have preferred to examine the documents and
orders furnished by correspondents and 10 prepare
thererom an epitome of the matter in controversy.
appears that The subject of "breyet and staff rank,
after having agtated the army for many years. and after
having been twice fully decided by Presidents Of the
United Sates--vz, by President Jackson in 1929, and
by Preside nj Polk in 1885, and also by the action Of the
Military Committee Of the Senate upon the memorial
which we this day repubsh--has again been brough,
up, and, in the opinion of many intelligent officers,
seriously disturbing the harmony which is nal to
the good Of the service and will continue impair the
efficiency and discipline of the army until by
legislative enactment II is in the belief that this vexed
question will engage the attention Of the present Con-
gress that correspondents have urged the republca
ton this time OF the Corpus Christi memorials doc
ument which presents the views Of the officers OF the
ne OF the army" and which is opposed 10 the
mendaions contained n the report OF board of army
officers, appointed by the President TO consider much
OF the resolution OF the House Of Representatives OF
July is, 1850, as relates TO rank and command within
the army.
1t will be perceived by reference TO the memorial that
the cline Of the army" satisfied with the decision Of
this question first made by President Jackson, reiterated
by President Polk, and confirmed by the action Of the
Military Committee of the Senaie-io wit, that brevel
rank gave no command except detachmens composed
OF different corps that could not be exercised in regu
arly-constuied commands, except on special assign
ment and that il different corps Join or do duty together
the officer highest in rank by his commission in the line
Of the army present duty has the right TO command
the whole In contradistincton this view OF the sub
ect we have the report OF the board Of army officers
above referred to- in which, in the form OF "seciions
proposed for an act of Congress- have first the titles
and grades OF army rank designated and then the
recommendation that the rank graduated shal be
sidered in respect TO command alike valid and effective
whether in the army marine corps, militia and whethe
by ordinary commission brevet commission or staff com
mission, and whether in regiments, corps, depart
menis OF The staff other than the medical and pay de
parimens" In subsequent section il is proposed
that "when different corps join do duty together,
brevet or staff officer on duty with the same may
sumo the command in cases where he would otherwis,
fall under the orders OF officer OF inferior army rank
belonging to another regiment or corps"
From this last proposition the medical officer III,
hoar n al tha aft off
should not be diverted from his appropriate duties tina
his pay and emoluments superior 10 those OF the line
officer and tina, this inequality would be still further in
creased by the allowance incidental 10 his entering on
command"
The report from which the above extracts have beer
made was submitted to Congress its last session, and
we copy from the journal OF the House the action
thereon
"Tuesday. February Is. Is5i-on motioH OF Mr. Bart
ordered, That the Committee Military Affairs be dis
charged from much OF the report communicated BY the
President OF the United States the subject OF rank IN the
army md navy relates navy hat the same be-
referred to the Committee Naval Affairs; aud tha
they be discharged from much al the said report
ates TO the army; and that IL be laid on the table"
On the 18th March, 1916. the Military Committee o.
the Senate. 10 whom the Corpus Christi memorial wa
referred reported:
"That they have order OF the President OF ii,
United States dated the 18th day OF the present month
the regulation of August 49, 1922 by Pfesi
Jackson in relation brevet and staff rank, and abo
eating nil subsequent regulations in relation herco anC
believing the said regulation Of August b. 1922 TO be cor
position OF the rules and articles Of war in relation
the subject and that the establishment OF said regulation
has applied the adequate and appropriate remedy 70 The
evils planned OF in the memorial and has superseded
the necessity for legislation the subject the committed
bring back into the Senate the memorial committed Z
,hem and pray be discharged from Its further conside
| ratoo."
We have now presented. fully time and space
will permit the conflicting views entertained in the army
on the subject of brevet and staff rank. In doing Thu
have purposely avoided touching upon the subject
the qualified rank of the medical and pay officers, for III
reason that the claims OF those officers are briefly states
| in communication now before US which we purpose Il
publish in few days AS the term line Of the army
has received various definitions, will state, in conclu
son that we have employed il 10 designate the regimen
tai organization Of the army, including the major gene
rails and brgader generals who do not hold commission
4 In The atan corps or departments.