The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1854-12-13

the officers, who, in view Of their chars
actcr and services and the expenses to
which they are necessarily subject, re-
ceive at present what is, in nv judg>
ment, inadequate compensation.
The valuable services constantly
rendered by tho Army, and its ines
Unable Importance, as the nucleus a.
round which the volunteer forces Of
the nation can promptly gather in the
hour OF danger, sufficiently attest the
wisdom ofmaintoining a military peace
establishment but The theory Of our
system and the wise practice under it,
require that any proposed augmenta-
ticn, in time Of peace, be only COM
mensurate with our extended limits
and frontier relations. While scrupu.
lousy adhering to this principle, l
6nd, in existing circumstances, a ne
ccssity for increase of our military
force and it is believed that four new
regiments, two of infantry and two of
mounted men, will be sufficient to meet
the present cxigoncy. If it were ne.
cessary carefully to weigh the cost in
a case of such urgency, it would be
shown that the additional expense
would be comparatively light.
With the increase of the numerical
force of the army should, | think, be
combined certain measures Of reform
in its organic arrangement and admin
istration. The present organization is
the result of partial legislation often
directed to special objects and intcr-
csts; and the laws regulating rank and
command, having been adopted many
years ago from the British code, are
not always applicable to our service.
1t is not surprising, therefore, that the
system should be deficient in the sym>
metry and simplicity essential to the
harmonious working Of its several
parts, and require a careful wisdom.
The present organic alton, by mains
tanning large stats, corps or depart
ment', separates many officers from
that close connection with troops and
those active duties in the field which
are deemed requisite to qualify them
for the varied responsibilities of high
command. Were the duties Of the ar.
my staff mainly discharged by officers
detached from the regiments, it is be
levcd 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 cultivated among them, W Guild .
seem to exact compliance with the es>
tablished rule of promotion in ordinary
cases, still it can hardly be doubted |
that the range of promotion by selec.
ton, which is now practically confined |
to the grade Of general officers, might
he somewhat extended with benefit to
the rublic service. Observance Of the
RUE Oh s'niority sometimes leads, espe.
cia'iy IN tln> Of peace, to the promo,
ton OF officers, Who, after mcritorious.
and even distinguished service. may !
have been rendered by age or infirmi.
ty incapable Of performing ao>ive duty.
and whose advancement. therefore.
would tend to impair the efficiency Of
the army.
Suitable provision for this class Of
officers, by the creation Of a retired !
list, would remedy the evil, without .
woundms the just pride Of men, who,
~ past services, have established u
claim to high consideration.
In again commenting this measure
to the favorable consideration Of Con-
grcss, | would suggest that the power
Of placing officers on the retired list be
limited to one year. The practical
operation Of the measure would thus
be tested and if. after the lapse Of
wears, there should be OCCASION 10 re
new the provision, it can be rcproduc-
ed with any improvements which ex.
perioncc may indicate. The present
Of the artillery into regi>
ments is liable to obvious objections.
The service Of artillery is that Of bat>
teries, and an organization of batteries
into 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 IS infantry, the distinc.
ton between the two arms being mere
~ nominal. This nominal artillery in /
our service is entirely disproportionate |
to the whole force, and greater than
the wants of the country demand. |.
therefore commend the discontinuance
of a distinction which has no founda-
ton in either the arms used Or the
character Of the service expected to be
performed.
In connection with tie proposition
for the increase of the army, | have
presented these suggestions with re-
gar" 10 certain measured Of reform, as
the complement of system, which
would produce the happiest results
from a given expenditure, and which |
hope may attract the early attention,
and be deemed worthy of the approval
of Congress.
The recommendations of the Sec
rotary Of the Navy, having reference
to more ample provisions for the dis
cipliLe and general Improvement in
the character of seamen, and for the
reorganization and gradual increase of
the Navy, / deem eminently worthy
Of yom favorable consideration. The