Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-03-09
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP


WASHING TON NEWS AND GOSSIP.
INCREASE OF THE ARNY.-It is generally
known that there are before the House of Rep
resentatives two bills for the increase of the
Army, emanating from the Military Committee
The majority bill, reported and advocated by
General Quitman, contemplates the organiza-
ton Of five volunteer regiments. Of these,
one is to be mounted, and to be raised in Texas
for the defence of her frontiers; and the others,
to be mounted or infantry, at the discretion of
the President, for quelling disturbances in
Utah, protecting supply and emigrant trains,
and suppressing Indian hostilities on the north
ern and western frontiers. They are all to
serve eighteen months and be subject to the
same rules and receive the same pay as regu-
lars. The minority report authorizes the rails
ing OF one mounted and two infantry regiments
OF regulars, to serve for two years. The de-
tails OF both bills are prepared with great care
These bills differ materially from that re-
Gently defeated in the Senate, yet neither of
them grants the request of the Administration,
which is for authority to raise five additional
regiments Of regulars. The strong opposition
manifested towards an enlargement of the reg
ular army, has, it is stated caused the Admin
istration to despair Of being enabled by Con-
gress to make such increase as it believes to be
essential. Hence, the President and War De-
partment may acquiesce in the provisions of
either Of the above mentioned bills, and en-
deavor to use the means which may be thereby
placed at their disposal to the greatest possible
advantage; still maintaining, however, that
the force to be provided is utterly insufficient,
and the limited periods of service prejudical
both as relates to the usefulness and expen-
siveness of the contemplated new regiments
Having taken pains to inquire into the merits
of this question, we find those who best under
stand it, from their knowledge of military af-
fairs and the field of operations on which the
additional force is to be employed unanimous
in the opinion that even the augmentation
asked for by the President would have been
found hardly adequate to the exigencies of the
case. They contend that the aggregate force
proposed by both these bills is not more than
sufficient, and that the periods of enlistment
are altogether too short to subserve the pur-
poses of the Government. If. however, only
one bill is to pass, they prefer that of the ma
jority.
One gentleman, who has resided several years
in the Territories, seen considerable service as
An oficer Of both regular and volunteer corps,
and Is thoroughly acquainted with existing
emergencies, maintains that an increase Of the
Army to the extent of full FIVE regiments Of
regulars, for at least five years to come, is i'm
perstively demanded, and that five volunteer
regiments, besides, should be called out es-
pecialiy for the Utah expedition. As it is not
probable Congress will grant any such increase
and IL being important that reinfercements for
Utah shall be in readiness at the earliest prac-
ticable day, he favOrs the raising of volunteer
force for that purpose. Looking to the general
military talent and experience of our people, he
believes that volunteers can be most speedily
organized and fitted for active campaign duties
and thinks, moreover, that ~ far as possible
these proposed regiments should be selected
from among the border men of the West, or the
residents on the Pacific coast, as these have ex
perience in the particular kind Of service to be
performed, being generally familiar with camp
duties with the care Of animals on the plains
and with the habits of Indian tribes; and at
the same time hardy, accustomed to exposure
and to subsistence On short rations, &c
LIE VOICE OF NEW YORK Since mention
ing the subJeetla last, our exchanges have brought
Us many more proofs Of the correctness of our
opinion that the political revolution of the
State OF New York initiated at her last State
election, Lad been thoroughly and upmistaka.
bly, contaminated in the township and munich.
pal elections that came of there last wesk
According TO the Albany Atlas, the CHANGE has
been sweeping from Sandy Hook To 81 La
renee county, Buffalo, and the PennsvIvan;s
line. The State Of New York, all far. seein,
politicians comprehend, is to be one of the prsa,
battle grounds in the next Presidential cleo
ton. While il is not to be essentially necessa-
ny to the success Of the Democracy that thew
shall carry that State, withoutit, the opposition
will be routed horse, foot and dragons >
Hence her political demonstrations at this time
are watched with far more earnestness by Do
litical ealculators than ever before in our ex-
persnce, year after the advent of new Ma
aonal Administration to power
The fact that the late result in New York
explained above, completely dissipates the idea
that the position Of the Democratic nartv On
the Lecompton Constitution is likely 10 veoksn
Il in really disputable States, is another rs..on
Why IL commands 50 great attention here ;us,
now. 1t has certainly nom plussed, for the
present, all the hopes Of Republican partyism;