The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-02

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
We do not hesitate express the opinion that this
port Of Col Davis is the best have known
from the War Department He writes on the subject
Of the army like soldier and he is He received
military education has had experience in the service Is
acquainted with its necessities comprehends fully the pc
culiartes Of its organization and is capable Of suggesting
indispensable of reform The gallant Secretary
has been holidaysodier has confined the exhb-
ton Of his military skill to reviews, streetmarches and
dressparades but has followed the troops the tented
field, biyouaeked with them, suffered with them and
shared in eminent degree the honors and dangers Of
battle with them in the stoming of Monterey and in the
bloody fight Of Buena Vista. What he recommends is
therefore entitled 10 the most serious consideration Hold
ing military rank at present in the army, though its
medium with the commandern-chief the President and
acuated only by desire to benefit the service his views
are impartial as they are soldierlike
He recognises the unfortunate system at present prevail
ing with regard TO breyet rank staff and line and the
regiments Of artillery and mounted The reforms he
suggests meet entire appreciation. II Congress will
give heed to his suggestions and adopt the plans he rec
ommends, they viii confer vast benefit the military in
sttuton of the country Let them not regard personal
considerations As Col Davis says individual interests
must yield 10 the public good
Let brevet rank be defined and smpfed II s now the
source of continual annoyance and difficulty Let all oi-
GERS command according their rank Let selections be
made staff duty and promotion take place in the
STAFF Let staff corps except the engineers be abolished
thus all officers except the engineers will belong, strictly
speaking, to the line, and win be promoted in the line If
retired list should be passed. there will be vacancies in
the line for officers now composing staff corps or they
have commissions in such regiments as Congress
may raise and which the interests of the country impera
lively demand
Colonel Davis is perfectly right in regarding the staff
organized too large and cumbrousa in proportion to
the small number of troops in the line Wehave doubt
that the gallant and distinguished general at the head OF
the Quartermasters department will bear witness that he
Is sometimes loss considering that each regiment has
its quarermaser what TO do with all his subaerns
and we are opinion the chief Of the typographical bu
would be in like predicament did not lighthouse
and custom-house boards furnish employment for his
juniors If the staff corps should be reduced by all means
let justice be done TO their gallant faithful members Let
them receive commissions in the reorganiaed additional
regiments of the grade and date with those they
hold in the staff.
The Secretary's recommendations with regard to the
tllery regiments such every conyersant with
the army approve Out Of the four regiments of arl
ery mostly acting infantry let regular corps OF ar
ery proper be formed and the balance be organized in
fantry and called infantry Let also the regiment ofmeupt
ed remen be blended with the two egents Outrageous
or in other words let there be three regiments of dra
goons instead of two now be armed and equipped
cordng to the will and pleasure of the President All
crease the efficiency of the service.
We glad that the gallant and able Secretary has
grasped the subject pt fne army with so strong hand
Reforms are needed and if the members of Congress- fail to
carry them out they only win be responsible
Col Davis in conclusion speaks of the extension of the
Capitol and of the admirable arrangements and admins
trative ability exhibited by Capt Meigs OF the engineer
corps who Is ohMged with the superintendent and drec
ton of the wor~ 1t is we'll for the country that the Jug
gers and baganers and political contractors did
coed in getting this vast and responsible undertaking into
their greedy hands II is well for the administration that
it stood by Capt Meigs when unprirciped newspaper
poreYs scuryy politicians were doing their best to
Dust him from situation which, however much honor il
might confer afforded him not one cent of profit The
government by this time have learned that honorable gen.
temen WIG regard their reputation above all things
Of more real value to the country than those who long
as they fill their pockets, indifferent to everything
else
Wenot only congratulate Captain Megs the credit he
has deserved and won but the War Department for appre
ciatng his services and retaining him in his responsible
position in spite of the hue and cry interested politicians
and of men who, TO please their constituents" would lay
the foundation of the Capitol en- sand and roof the edhce
with oanwsD
We trust that Congress this session will do their duty
at least far the army concerned Every session
recommendations have been made but far have been dis
regarded We mean, have before said to keep our
eye those members of Congress. who shall wanting
when the hour eF action arrives in their duty the
eountry by rejecting the urgently and too-ong
delayed necessary the efficiency of the army
and to which their attention is now particularly and
eoquenty invited by the Secretary Of War
NATIONAL, CONVENTION OF THE SOLDIERS OF THE