The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-21

DAY, JANUARY q, 1855
continues thus open for few weeks longer,
the back Of the winter will be broken, and the
fears oil the destitute, of excessive cold will be
at an end. In view Of the poor, and the price
of coal, should there be no deep SHOWS nor hard
freezing nights this season, nor rollcking, horse
numbering sleigh rides, who is there that win
regret it? A few weeks more, and softer skies
and better times, we hope, will dawn upon us.
The New ARMY BLL.-The bill for the in
crease of the army, SO much needed for the pro-
lection Of the frontier, seems likely, notwith-
standing the opposition it is certain to encoun-
ter, to become . law before the expiration Of
the present session of Congress-
The draft of this bill submitted by Mr. Faux
ner, of Va, to the Military Committee and
published some days ago in the HERALD, is de-
fective in more than one respect and, although
we are as yet uniformed as TO the precise ma
ture of the notifications suggested by General
Scott and other distinguished officers who have
been summoned to the aid of the committee, it
strikes us that some check to the immense pat
ronage which is contemplated should be i'm
posed upon those who are to control the ap-
pOintments. If the President and his Cabinet
are as unfortunate in their military selections
as they have been in their diplomatic represen-
tatives, we opine that the discipline and eff
cheney Of the army will be impaired rather than
improved by the passage Of this bill. And yet
we see no way in which this blow can be avert
ed, except by subjecting all applicants for ap-
pointment in the new regiments to examine
ton. For example, =" course Of sprouts,"
some what as follows would materially aid in
winnowing the heap Of chaff now lying on the
desk of Gen. Davis. A competent board Of army
officers should be convened, and no candidate
recommended for military place without, arst
asuficient knowledge Of the English language
to be able to write an official report correctly.
Second, mathematics, simple surveying, and
the determination of latitude and longitude. To
this might be appropriately added "smatter-
ing" Of botany and geology; drawing would
not be an unacceptable accomplishment Third,
military gymnastics, and the use Of the va
rious kinds of arms. Fourth, tactics, artillery,
infantry and cavalry. Fifth. Instrumentation
or the method of picket and encampment
Sixth, the employment and use Of military en-
gines. Seventh, the fabrication and theory of
projectiles Eighth, military pyrotechny
Ninth, field Notifications. Tenth, attack and
defence Of fortified positions; and, lastly, pio-
neer and pontoon service.
We do not insist that the applicant should
be compel lied TO undergo rigid catechising in
all these branches of the military profession,
but he should be sufficiently versed in each TO
explain it's general principles. Throughout the
country there are hundreds of private military
are sbundantly competent to stand the ordeal
we suggest; and as far as possible the candidates
should be taken from these establishments,
whose students would carry into the army IN
esprit du corps scarcely less than that im-
bibed at West Point.
Were the navy, instead Of the army, about 70
be increased in similar ratio, it is hardly rea-
sonable to suppose (although any thing is posi-
bic with the present administration that high
and responsible commands would be conferred
upor men without even an inquiry as to their
knowledge of the fundamental principles Of sea-
manship. The case should not be different now.
From the exigencies of the service, the army 10
often scattered in small detachments along the
frontier, and the command Of posts invariably
devolves upon officers of inferior rank; but it
does not necessarily follow that they are infe-
rior men.
The experience Of the Mexican war, and the
frequent tactical errors that marked many of
it's scenes of conflict, justify the expectation
that men who have some military kno Wedge
will receive preference over those who are
morally, mentally, and even physically, disqua-
lifted. The haphazard and partizan policy of
Mr.. Polk will. we hope, be disregarded, even
though it should exclude the corporal's guard
of flibustering loungers who have thus far
faithfully followed the illstarred fortunes Of
the mustang generals in Washington. Justice
to the country, justice to the officers Of the
regular army, and justice to that large portion
Of American youth who, by dint of hard study,
and oftentimes by the employment of slender
means, have qualified themselves to become
efficient soldiers, requires that the graduates OF
Cardenas and Las Posas, who, between expec-
fancy and starvation, are now lobbying the bill
through Congress, in the hope Of reaping its
exclusive benefits, should be crushed out"
The STEAMSHIP ARCTIo-PRBsENTNENT BY
THE GRAND JURY.-The Grand Inquest of the
United States Circuit Court, yesterday, made
a presentment, which is given in ertenso else
where, upon the subject of the loss OF the
steamship Arctic. -Four months have elapsed
since the calamity, and the Grand Jury of the
federal court has had every opportunity TO
gather up the facts in the case. The Grand