Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-01-26
..wAsH1xarox NEWS And GOSSIP.

NEWS AID GOSSIP
The Army There appears to be very
general disposition among the members of
Congress to revise and re-arrange the system
on which the officers of the United States army
are now paid, including the establishment OF
the much needed " retired lit It is known
to all, We presume, that propositions to these
ends are now pending in the Senate TIL,
rates Of pay now accorded to the different |
grades Of army officers were fixed many years
ago, when one dollar was worth in the purchase |
OF necessaries OF life, as much as perhaps two
at this time; ana when scarcely more thar
half as much active duty and risk of life and
health, were demanded, ION an average. from
each officer IN the service. The governments
demands upon them have increased wonder
fully of late years, These are the result Of
the extension of eur frontiers, and the absolute
necessity Of assigning them to the discharge OF
scientific and financial duties in connection
with improvements, explorations, insestiga
lions, &c, made necessary to be prosecuted by
the United States, in the course Of the extra
ordinarily rapid Development Of our ccun-
try's resources which has been going on of late.
The effect Of all this has been to make then
life in service in time of peace, one of great
| hazard, indeed. The proof of this fact lies III
| the number Of deaths which have taken place
| among them in the past year from disease oc-
casioned by their exposures, FROM casualties,
| DC. 1t is notorious, that deaths among this
class of public employees have been far more
numerous in proportion to the number of officers
| attached to the service, than ever before oc-
cured among a body Of military men in time
! of peace. employed in country 80 healthy as
ours is generally. The officers of our army
| must preserve the bearing and habits of gen
| tlemen. We're they to abandon such associa-
| tions, an army of ten times the size Of ours
would hardly serve to discharge the valuable
services of all sorts performed by ours. They
cannot from the nature Of their employment,
gave money from their compensation, even if
that were considerably increased. They do
moro for tho advancement of our industrial in
terests in their scientific labors, than any other
class Of the employees of the United States Go
vernment. We state the facts mentioned above
that all may understand that the public inter
est requires that they shall DO literally dealt
with in the Governments future transactions
with them. r...
! With reference to the proposition for an
| ''Army retired list" we have to say that its
establishment involves an actual saving of
money to the treasury. There is no good reason
4 g.
| OF the confirmed invalids whe may be in the pub
lie service; while it is unjust to require gentle
| men, who, being in all respects competent, d.,
| discharge duties appertaining to the rank and
position Of such Of those above them as are in
| competent. (frou, the causes mentioned just
| abore,) to render such service without being
paid in rank. as was originally intended in the
regulations Of the army of the United States.
We foel very sure THAI 10 other government in
the world has, in proportion to their number,
80 accomplished md so serviceabc corps Of
| army officers. While in almost every other
| military service the great body Of the officers
arc mere soldiers, and are merely so employed
in ours the great body of them arc scientific
men, and ere, mere or less, employed in scien-
| tifc pursuiis. Wo throw out these few remarks
on this subject, to remind the members Of Con-
gress (whO have little time to devote TO its in
| vestigaion,l of facts most important 10 their
constituents, in legislating upon the army bills
of this character soon to come up. From Maine
to Oregon, all are interested in this matter
That il, if all are interested in the substantial
industrial progress of our country.
Senator Pearce.-a!ore solioitude is evil
IDENTIFY felt in this city with reference 10 the
reelection of this gentleman, than we ever
before saw manifested concerning similar
matter. This feeling is without distinction of
party. and pervades Congress, as we'll as cur
fellow eitizeps We trust that ns ii is very sure
that some gentleman Of Wing principles must
30 chosen lin the present condition Of parties
in tho Maryland Legislature) TO fill the sena-
torial seat Mr.. P. now occupies, the Democrats
Of that body will do their share in assuring to
the public service the benefit of his councils
His experience, learning ana talents render
him one of the most valuable men to the coun-
try now in public life, and it will be worse than
Will DC inuccu. II the
country shall lose him. because some new man
stands ready TO dicker traffic and out bid him
for the position, with demagogues. State Legis-
latures OF late years disposed to set up seats
IN the United States Senate TO the highest bid
der as it were. There is no telling how long it
will be, unless this propensity is checked, ere
this disposition on their part will so infuse
unqualified and improper elements into the
body, rs previously to damage the publ, in
terest.
Salvage on United States Property Wreck
ed.-According to decisions at the Treasury
Department, if vessel is wrecked by the
periis Of the sea, and the cargo belonging to
the United States is saved by the master, he
may properly claim remuneration for any ex-
traordinary expenses necessarily incurred in
saving the public property intrusted to hi
care.
The Alleged Pierce Letter to the Free
Sollers-It is understood in Democratic circles
here, that the President is Of opinion that he
did not write even dcccnsion Of the invita-
ton to endorse Free Soilism in 1913, as alleged
by Judge Waterbury in the letter published
in another column in this days Star. We