Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-07-07
INCREASE OF THE ARMY.

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INCREASE OF THE ARMY.
Yesterday we urged prompt increase Of
our military force. In our judgment, addi-
tional regiments should be provided for, and
and not nominal and useless.
The army cannot be reliable in time of war
unless its organization and efficiency are prop
erly attended to in time of peace. We enjoy.
at present. friendly relations with all civiiza-
tions, yet we cannot say that we are at peace.
Our troops are constantly engaged in war with
the Indian tribes on the frontiers, and the war
wenrs serious aspect when we consider the
slender force which we have in the field. Foi
many months our border settlements have
been continually harassed by DESTRUCTIVE India
depredations Recently there have been gal
liant and sanguinary conflicts in Texas and
New Mexico; but they were barren Of results
because the want of men prevented following
them up with promptness and yigor.
1t will not be sufficient to provide additional
regiments. Steps must be taken to fill them
up by offering sufficient inducements to obtain
the enlistment of able bodied and serviceabl,
men. Formerly the soldiers pay bore rea
sonable proportion to the wages of labor, ano
there was no difficulty in procuring recruits
even amongst intelligent mechanics. But tina,
is the case no longer. The present rates o
pay were fixed at time when money was enor.
mously high and wages extremely low. They
were fixed in 1885,, when the whole country,
and every avenue of trade and every species OF
employment were suffering from the effects Of
grievous financial embarrassment. But the
aspect of affairs has changed since then. The
country enjoys unexampled prosperity money
is abundant, and wages are high. Under these
circumstances it is sheer folly to suppose that
the recruiting service can accomplish anything
whilst it is limited TO the pressure prices oil
1888.
Since the Mexican war the army has de.
creased rapidly. Indeed, the falling off has
been SO great that about fire thousand men
are required to FIJI the present companies and
regiments to the legal standard. To supply
this number of men there are about three hun.
bred disposable recruits. If this process con-
times few years longer the army viii disap.
pear-having no existence any where but on
paper. The adjutant general reports that the
recruiting service is being carried on with in.
creased efforts. No perceptible improvement
has taken place, however. The ordinary casu.
allies of deaths, desertions, and discharges ex-
coed the number Of new enlistments, and it is
clear that we will soon have no army at all, un-
less something is done.
The present pay of the army was considered
sufficient at the time it was established, in 1888
when the wages Of laborer did not exceed
seventy-6ve cents a day. Its very different
now, when the wages are SO much higher. 1t
is unreasonable to expect man to enlist for
seven dollars month with ration and cloth.
ing, when Immediately in the neighborhood OF
the recruiting rendezvous he is offered dollar
and half day for his labor, and his expenses
paid to the west. The consequence is that
very inferior men have to be taken, and worthy
American laborers and mechanics 90 not enlist,
as was the case in former years.
What is the remedy? 1t is confidently be-
lieved that the provisions Of the bill passed by
the Senate for the improvement Of the army in
this particular will remedy the evil. II holds
out strong inducements for enlistment, and is
especially calculated TO cause soldiers to re.
enlist. The benefit to the service by reenlst.
ment is obvious to every one, for in this way a
corps Of veterans viii gradually be formed
and will put stop to the disgraceful desertions
so common to our army, among the new re-
cruits, unparrelled in any service in the world.
Such q thing as a re-enlistment in the army
with the present rates Of pay is Of very rare
occurrence, and is confined chiefly to the non
commissioned officers. There are, however,
very many discharged soldiers in the country
who, if this billis passed, will Immediately come
forward and re-enter the service.
The other bill for retiring disabled officers will
also produce an excellent effect in the army, by
bringing forward young and efficient officers to
ell the positions Of those who are no longer
able 10 perform the active and arduous duties
Of soldier. 1t seems strange that there should
ever have been objections to this bill, for it
does not cost the government cent; and it
is held in favor, we have been informed, by a
majority of the worn out officers, who would
be glad TO retire according TO its provisions.
An idea seems to have arisen that this bill will
create pension list. Now, the very reverse is
the fact for if there is any such thing ss
penstoned officer in our army, it is he who al
though entirely disqualified Tor the perform