Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1870-03-01
Military Retrenchment

a WY ihPOIJdub OIL IS now be-
fore Congress, which was reported
by Gen. Logan, Chairman OF the
Committee on Military Affairs. 1t
provides Tor certain changes in the
military establishment, so sweeping
and unsparing as to cause great fut-
tering beneath the gilt buttons Of the
regular army officers. Many Capt.
links has hurried to Washington for
fear Of losing his pay and rations.
1t is said that q strong lobbying
effort is being made by the interest
Cd parties who have focked there to
prevent the passage Of this measure.
1t remains TO be seen Whether the
artful wilos Of Washington politicians
and lobbyists arc sufficient to cheat
the tax-paying people out Of this
much needed reform. No doubt our
representatives arc besct on all sides
by men whose continuance in a fat
sinecuro depends On the defeat OF this
bill, as well as by that corrupt class
who 1.-Two by selling their influence
Tor or against any measure and
amid the clamor for holding on to
Che present needless and extravagant
system, the still small voice Of reason,
economy and fer OF constituency
may sound family in their ears
But we do not fear to predict that
Gen. Amasa Cobb will vote for q re-
duetion OF army expenses, in accord
ance with the great republican tenets
Of peace, retrenchment and payment
Of tho public debt. We condense
some Of the leading features Of this
new Army Bill.
A Board Of five examiners is to be
appointed by the Secretary OF War,
to make a thorough inspection Of the
qualifications, fitness, standing, &c,
Of all officers below the rank OF Brig
adler, aud 3port thereon TO the
President, who may re-appoint or
transfer all who are iavorably re-
ported to him, the rest to be muster
cd out with bonus Of one years
pay.
The Offices of General and Lieut..
General are TO cease TO exist on their
first becoming vacant.
After Sept. 1st, 1870, there are to
be only three Major Generals and six
Brigadier Generals.
The offices Of Adjutant and Quar-
termaster General, and six others vi
like character are to be reflled by
officers having only the rank and
pay Of Colonel.
The President shall regulate the
number Of retired officers but it must
not exceed the number Of two hun
bred.
Brevot rank is to be abolished.
No army officer can hold civil
Office.
Tho pay Of an officers from Colo
mel TO General is TO be reduced, and
Communication OF quarter, forage, fuel
&e., Is 70 be done away.
This brief synopsis will show why il
viii be violently opposed by those
now in Office but tho people have 8
right TO know what becomes Of the
public funds, and whom they are full
Is enlightened as TO tho enormous
saIarios drawn by many officers, they
viii be clamoroua for a change. The
pay Of a Major General during The
war was Sc, 600 but we are told thai
thoy now receive from $4,000 to S14,
annually, to enable them 10 support
the style and dignity Of the Office in
time Of peace. At al the central
and important military points there
are plenty OF officers iattening upon
government pay, who are Of no pres
emit use TO tho nation, and whom the
people cannot afford TO support in
ideness. Lot them DO reduced in
number, to suit the altered cir
cumstances and needs OF the country,
and we have no fear but that their
places will all be filed again, should
rebellion or invasion renders their
services necessary.