The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-06-25
MONDAY, JUNE 25, 1866
Our New Army BILLS Provisions for
EducatiOn.

AFTER a delay of several months, occupied in
the preparation of as near a model Army bill as
circumstances would admit, and after numerous
consultations with all the leading military
minds in the country, the House Of Representa-
tives, by large majority, adopted the new Army
bill In its provisions it differs materially from
the old system, and in all things there is an
evident improvement. There are few points
to which we desire to call special attention. The
following section is worthy OF notice:-
"SectiOn 81. That for the purpose of promoting
knowledge of military science among the young men
of the Umed States, the President NAV, upon the
application of an established college or university
wihm the United States with sufficient capacity to
educate at one time not less than one hundred and
fitty male students, detail officer of the army to
act president superintendent, or professor OF such
college university; that the number OF officers
shall be appointed through the United States as
nearly az practicable according to population and
shall be governed by general rules to prescribed
from time to time by the President" "
When the deluge OF civil war first swept over
our land it found us totally unprepared to
buffet with ltsiwaves. We were peaceful peo
ple to positively ridiculous degree. If a man
could fire musket or take aim with rife he
was considered a proficient tactican, and
looked upon as proper person for field
officer In time of war. If any of our Young
men 0eblIeU W IuC OF taCtipe
and the drill, no opportunity was allowed them.
Unless they had sufficient influence to secure
West Point appointment, and devote a lite m
war as a science they were kept completely in
the dark. Under the new bill the reform is
fully inaugurated, and an nducement held out
te our colleges to have such a department
added to their curriculum, as a detailed officer
will be its professor, and cause no additional
expense. If this provision be earned ont
another war will not find us armed and pro.
fcient only in the use of ploughshares.
Again:--
"section 35. That whenever troops are serving az
any post, garrison. or permanent camp there shall
be established school where all enlisted men NAV
be provided with instruction in the ommon Enolisb
branches of education and especially IN the history
authorized and directed to detail such Commissioners
and nor. commissioned officers as may be NECESSARY
to carry out the provisions Of this section"
We cannot conceive OF an article more tho
roughly in the spirit of our republican age than
the one we quote. The soldier when discharged
will not regard his term of service held as waste
time, but will find 1t of good account hereafter.
The last article to which we would call attention
Is the retirement OF veteran officers. 1t pro-
vides for the establishment OF a council of
officers Immediately at Washington, to be com.
posed of every branch of the service, before
whom shall come all officers under the rank of
brigadier general, Judge of their capacity, and
retire such as have been for certain number of
years in the service, or are disqualified either
mentally, morally, or physically. Under such
plan we will have the army pruned of all the
incompetent, and rid the service of the weight
of their useless connection. The last provision
will meet with the cordial approval of all:-
"And in making such Investigations into the fit.
ness of officers to be retained IN the service the said
mntary council and such boards may at any ii ne
be appointed and organized under the provisions Of
this section, shall take into account the of any
who may have been employed in no active duty in
the field during any part of the late war, and sha |
INQUIRE specially into the for their not being
so employed; and any officer whose absence from
active field service during the shall be decided
by board OF examiners, after full hearing 10 have
teen on account OF his sympathy with the Rebel
hon or his unwilingness to serve actively against
the So called Confederate States, any particular
State, rhe people of any State engaged in rebel.
on shall be reported the as If found mora ly
GIsqualifed for the SERVICE"