Burlington tri-weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1852-1855, 1854-12-12

the army, mas naO Den0nCi0i reeultSs uOs only
facilitating enlistments, but in obvious inn
in the class Of mon who enter thS
service. Irsgret that corresponding consid.
GRAFTON was not then bestowed on tho officers,
who, in view Of their character and services.
and the expenses to which they are neces-
sarily subject, receive at present what 10, in
my Judgment, inadequate compensation
The valuable services constantly rendered by
the Army, and it insstimable importance q
the nucleus around which the volunteer
forces Of tie nation can promptly gather in
the hour Of danger, sufficiently attest the wis.,
dom of maintaining q military peace estab-
ment but the theory Of our system, and the
wise practice under it, require that any pro-
posed augmentation, in time Of peace, be
only commensurate with our extended limits
and frontier relations. While scrupu,ouslv
adhering to this principle, find, in existing
circumstances, . necessity for increase Of
our military force; and it 10 believed that
four new regiments, two Of infantry and two
of mounted men, will be sufficient to meet
the present exigency. If it were necessary
carefully to weigh the cost in case Of such
urgency, it would be shown that the addition
al expense would be comparatively light.
With the increase Of the numerical force
of the army should, | think, be combined GER
tain measures Of reform ia its organic ar
rangement and administration. The pres
ent organization is the result of partial leg
islation, often directed to special objects and
interests; and the laws regulating rank and
command, having been adopted many years
ago from the British code, al not always ap-
plicable to our service. 1t is not surprising.
therefore, that the system should be deficient
in the symmetry and simplicity essential TO
the harmonious working Of its several parts.
and require careful revision.
The present organization, BY maintainp
large staff corps of departments, separates
many officers from that G ose connection with
troops, and those active duties in the field.
which are deemed necessary to qualify them
for the varied responsibilities Of high COM
mand. Were the duties Of the army staff
mainly discharged by officers detached from
their regiment, it 10 believed that the special
service would be equally well performed,
and the discipline and instruction of the
army be improved. While due regard to the
security Of the rights Of officers, and to the
nice sense of honor which should be cultiya.
ted among them, would seem to exact com
p!iance with the established rule of promotion
in ordinary cases, still it can hardly be
doubted that the range of promotion by Sc
lection, which is now practically confined to
the grade of general officers, might be some
what extended with benefit to the public ser.
vice. Observance of the rule of senoirity
some times has, especially in time Of peace,
led to the promotion of officers who, after mer-
itorious and even distinguished service, NAV
have been rendered incapable, by age or in
trinity, Of performing active duty, and whose
advancement, therefore, would tend to i'm.
pair he efficiency of the army. Suitable pro-
vision for this class of officers, BY the crea-
ton of retired list, would remedy the evil.
without wound,ng the just pride Of men who,
by past services, have established a claim to
high consideration. In again commencing
this measure to the favorable considerat on
of Congress, l would suggest that the power
of placing officers on the retired list be I'm
tied to one year. The practical operation
OF the measure would thus be tested; and il,
after the lapse of years, there should be &C.
ca'ion to renew the provision, it can be re-
produced with any improvements which ex-
perience may indicate. The present org,ni-
"a ion of the artillery into regiments il liza
BILE to obvious objections. The service Of ar
tillery is that of batteries; and an organi-
cation of batteries into Q corps of artillery
would be more consistent with the nature of
their duties. A large part of the troops now
called artillery are, and have been, on duty as
infantry; the distinction between the two
arms being merely nominal. This nominal
artillery in our service is entirely dispro-
portionate to the whole force, and greater
than the wants Of the country demand.
therefore recommend the discontin uance of
distinction which has no foundation in ell
Their the arms used or The character of the
service expected to be performed.
In connection with the proposition for the
increase ut the army, have presented these
suggestions with regard to certain measures
OF reform, as the complement Of system
which would produce the happiest results
from given expenditure, and which I hope
may attract the early attention, and Deem
ed worthy Of the approval, Of Congress.
The Recommendation Of the Secretary Of the
Navy, having reference 10 more ample provis-
ions for the discipline for the reorgahiza alton and
gradual increase OF the navy, dee mlnenlIy
worthy OF your fovorahse consider ion. The
principles which have controlled our policy in
relation to The permanent military force, by sea
and land, are sound, consistent with the theory
OF cur system, and should by no means be disre-
garded. But, limiting the force to the objects
particularly set forth in the preceding part Of
this message, we should hot overlook The present
magnitude and prospective extension Of our COM
mercIal marine, nor fail to give due weight 10
the fact that, besides the two thousand miles Of
Atlantic seaboard, we have now Pacific coast,
stretching from Mexico TO the British possessions
in the noith teening with wealth and enterprise,
and demanding the cons ant presence Of ships
of-war. The augmentation Of the navy has not
kept pace with the duties properly and probably
assigned TO Il in time Of peace; and il is made
quate for the large field Of its operations, not
merely in the present, but still more in the pro-
gressively increasing exigencies Of the wealth
and commerce Of the United States cordially
approve Of the proposed apprentice sYatem for