New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-03-03
WAR RY CONTRACT.

pie what they csn do well for themselves
Tbs vital question escapes the acameu of the
people of all counuies-even this one. enlisht
.ped, as it is styled They call on Hercules,
forgetting TO put their shoulder to the wheel aud
the result is INSTRUMENTATION of public affairs,
and national less and discomfort. Mt, however,
for long time. in go poignant manner, Ia, the
irferlOrity OF Government clum,ness aud waste
compared with private hardness and economy,
been DISPLAY ed as in the distribution OF necessary
supplies and extra comforts to the Britshtroops in
tie CIimea and at Scutari, .eyerally made BY the
Government on the one hand, and on the other
by the Agent of The London TINES. provided with
0C00 from patriotic fund. Whist inefficiency
snd mbecllity Of TIE first, backed up with the
pride of rank, title, ancestry and regal aud par
Elementary ssnctiODs-wbat aptitude and talent
in the other simple citizen, without NOrmsu
lies or red t,pe distinction to give hin i'm
poItsnce to smooth the way by creating detcr~nce
TO bis orders and secure official COOPERATION .
Indeed the case is so striking that we cite par
ticularly the details afforded by the last ad-
vices. When the news OF the suffering aud NOR
tality attending the troops fret reached England
there were good people of opinion that it would
neyer do 70 let their brave soldiers perish. A
subscription accordingly was begun, and the pro-
pretors Of The London Times were requested to dis
tribute the ,uDs received. When the fund raised
amounted ~ go, 900, which it Immediately at
tanned, The Times declined to undertake to dis.
tribute more, and immediately sent proper per-
son TO the Eat to fulfill the duty they had as
suned. The result of the labors of this agent is
well Known through the British press He an
ticipated the solemn aud tardy action Of officials
and in connection with the angelic labors of Miss
Nightingale and her corps of nurses carried con-
fort and mercy to the sick and suffering, aud res
cued naDy from death. The result has been 80
admirable that The Times is again in the field as
grand almoner under new subscription. The
Government, however, has expended e. $40, 900,
making $50 head for the grestest M nber Of the
BIitish troops in the Crmes at one time, and yet
what q bOtcb; 80 much 50 that fl0, 900 in the
hands Ct private administration becomes an tst
msbe matter And there is yet besides rich
field for the disposition of the new fund, as the
deaths in the hospital were increasing from 40 to
20 day by the latest news.
Now the question occurs, il this detail is so in
fIitely better administered by private hands,
Why not let the whole war be so conducted
Given the necessity Of war; why not let it be
undertaken by contract Why, for instance, not
issue such advertisements as the following:
SEALED PROPOSALS will be received BY G,vernmsnt
om responsible parties i1I egaiPPsd vstn.ed
10 OPP rate with the French Army, for he cap
Of SesastoroI &c.
Why not advertise for these equally as for con-
tracts to carry the mails, or build lighthouses or
break waters The custom has been t, the con.
tsary. Blu, it has been sheer custom, and nothing
more. Even now the necessity of the case i, en-
croacLing on this stupidity Of routine. The inef.
fciency of Government management in the Crimea
is having its natural effect. The wrath of the
press is poured on the fogies aud aunkeys, and
hereditary masters are told fatty that the army
must be reconstructed, if Eogland is
not to be wiped cut from among the pow.
er. of the Continent. But still more:
We learn from the English newspapers that q
London firm has made proposals to yictual the
English army in the Crimea, proposing to sup
ply food consisting of three substantial meals
DAY, at the rate OF 3 3 a heal day, and for Sd.
to provide excellent tents binding Themselves in
the heaviest penalties, and further Offering TO be
respoI sible for the punctual delivery of every
meal TO the sodieri; and asking no assistance
from Government for the performance Of the task,
except their forbesrsnce and non-interference.
And Likewise. that French company has offered
70 raise, within the shortest time, A legion con-
sis,ipg Of from 10 900 to % 600 men for the ser
vice Of the English Government the soldiers to
be drawn from those who, according to the recent
lsw of emigration, are free to quit France.
Here We have ell thu details o1.right-ioOd and
soldiers to be raised By private companies. Why
not extend IT, and cut airift all the operose and
costly old machinery of Government Why net
let out the entire war to be wsged BY the enter
prize of private capitalists and companies One
contract might cover the capture Of Cronstrsdt
ard 81. Petersburg; another that Of Odessa;
smother the conquest OF the Criuea; another tina.
of Poland, and 80 on. There is little doubt bu.
the contractors would make srrsngeu ems ade-
quste to do their respective jobs with dispatch
snd certainty and at far less cost 20 the people
than is required by the present cumbrous and in
efficient system. Why lot introduce this refOrm'
Who can bring sn argument against making war
ty contract which is not decisive against the pro-
prieiy of making war at ell