Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-04-24
CONGRESSIONAL DOCUMENT.
THE ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES.

In the Senate, yesterday, Mr.. SHIELDS, from the
Committee on Military Affairs, presented the follow
ing interesting Report, accompanied by bill, pro-
posing to increase the pay in several grades OF the
Army, and to make other changes with view to
improving its efficiency:
The COMMITTEE MILITARY AFFAIRS report: That there
now exists provision of law which may afford
listed soldier of the army Of the United States any suf
cent ground to hope for to grade above
that of commissioned officer matter what may
be his ability zeal for the good of the service The
my being properly and Of necessity small, and provision
being made for the education Of the greater number of
officers the Military Academy, vacancies which may
be filed by the appointment Of noncommssioned officers
soldiers few and hitherto these have generally
filed by direct appointment from civil ife The
for this probably is the want of rule by which nfor
nation respecting the merits of individuals in the lower
grades of the army could be obtained for reference 1t
seems proper that should be adopted which will
supply this want and that be held out to such
may be worthy Of promotion to enter and continue
in military service There is powerful in
centye to meritorious action, to properly constituted
minds than that of advancement in their profession
Unless snch nducement is offered the soldiers of
the American army must continue to they have
hitherto done for the consideration of their pay and SUBJ
stence alone, and from Of duty and subordina
ton during the period of their enlistment This not
should be in such country ours and is gen
to who having the ability elevate themselves
enter the service from inclination to their
try in The consequences to the army that
ny who would and continue it. provided they had
remote prospect of advancement will enlist
if they do only to for single enlistment Our Of
fcers, except those from the Military Academy
gain their first commissions entirely through executive
favor and the soldiers lack the encouragement of chance
for promotion In this respect the army Of the United
States is exclusive that Of any nation in the world
The only objection which be urged to the promotion
of deserving on-commissoned officers and soldiers is
that many Of them may be deficient in the education and
habits which would enable them perform the duties of
their station properly if promoted and it be de-
ulpd nat Some rpaS in man may he m
excellent sergeant corporal have high ambition, and
yet might become very Indifferent worthless officer
Great and discrimination would be required in the
selection OF those who be promoted directly or the
promotion might be injurious to the service to the extent
of the appointment of unfit person Office and in the
end prejudcia to the individual whom intended
reward To provide against the dangers of direct pro-
notion far possible and still afford opportunities
for the advancement of enlisted men, it is proposed
authorize the appointment of limited number of cadets
from the army, from such non-commssioned officers
may not be too much advanced in years This would
render the experiment with reference such appoint
ments less hazardous than direct promotion and under
any circumstances would be beneficial to the individual
by aording him the opportunity for acquiring educa
ton fitting him for higher position in the service he
did not possess it before In where candidate for
promotion may be too much advanced in years
the Military Academy with hope of benefit promotion
If made at all would necessarily be direct But such
would be the fewer in number and would generally
amongst who had received education before
entering the army.
Various means have hitherto been tried to secure to the
army the enlistment of soldiers who served one or
more enlistments Could this be effected and the men
Of good character and conduct who the service be
retained II could not fail to be Of the greatest benefit to
the service and would tend to raise the character and
speciality of the class Of the army who
pose the rank and file.
BY the provisions the act approved July s. 1885, each
non-commissoned officer soldier who may re-enlist
within two months before month after the expra
ton Of his term of service, is entitled TO receive three
months extra pay In addition to this the approved
luna all
enlstng remote posts shall be entitled to receive
bounty the of subsstng and transporting recruit
from the principal depot in the East These bounes
range from 1913 to SIT and $4 and have failed pro-
duce the effect for which they were intended This was
declared in the report Of the GenerainChef to the Sec
rotary of War Of November 80 1885, see Executive Doc
No Senate, 3ls Congress- I'd session, page 49, and
he recommended that the section Of the act which made
the allowance should be repealed To afford security
against desertion the act Of July g. 1885, and supple
ment thereto require that dollar per month Of the
soldiers pay shall be retained until he is discharged The
act making appropriation for the support of the army APP
proved September 28 $780, doubled the pay Of enlisted
serving in Oregon and California until March, 1882
but at the same time required that the gratuy should be
withheld until the expiration Of their Of service
Each soldier upon his discharge is entitled and receives
the amount Of his pay and subsistence during the time
he returning to the place Of his enlistment and the
money value Of such portions Of bis allowance of clothing
as he may not have drawn during his Of service
The effect Of these various provisions is to keep the sol
der confined TO the lowest rate of pay during his entire
term Of service and at its expiration TO place suddenly in
his hands comparatively large Of money. Many
soldiers when discharged return to the spend their
money then renlst and sent back TO the frontier
again, thus regularly subectng the Government to the
cost of their transportation TO and from their posts and
dcpnyng 1t Of their services from the date Of re-ensment
until they join their companies and yet drawing pay
subsistence and clothing for that period The high boun-
ties offered TO the soldier afford him the means OF immedi
atey increasing the amount he receives upon his dis
CHARGE and then If he chooses he may DESERT having both
means andincentiyes. He has inducement TO remain
for in service distinction is made between veteran
and recruit The pay is precisely the same, and al
though the old soldier may have the large amount re-
ceived retained pay, bountes &c. he Is IN no stua
ton to use il for his permanent benefit The principle
of existing laws to encourage -enstments is wrong
to induce man TO the obligations Of the soldier
by Offering high and immediate reward, while at thet
same time the reward affords the Of throwing of
the obligation if he chooses to commit crime. No per-
manent Improvement in his condition is in his view,
matter how long he may remained in service As it
is veteran who has served faithfully for years.
who has fought dozen battles and is worth to the
Government much three recruits stands upon
precisely the footing who enlisted yesterday
When the two TO the pay table they paid the
same amount, the is retained security
against dcscrtion and there Is recognised distinction
between whatever This is not right and should be
IL should be object TO retain the services
Of good men, well to fill the ranks Instead Of offer
na high and immediate reward which win tend render
man dissatisfied with his position and duties, and afford
him the Of leaving the service IL he chooses TO de-
sert the inducements held out for reenstment should
be regular and permanent increase Of his monthly pay,
somewhat proportional the increased value of his
vices the Government and the increased responsibility
OF his position. Every Means says Napoleon shoud
be taken to attach the soldier to his This IS best
Al - - 49, -~A4 a. H.