The New York herald., 1870-03-28
THE ARMY BILL

A Protest from sCapsaiu In the Armyo-The
Injustice or tho Bill and What It's Effect will
be on the "Vcternns.o
The following communication In reference to
Logans Army Bill expresses the feelings doubtless
OF great majority OF those men In the army who
fought for the Union during the rebellion:--
To THB EDITOR OF THE HERALD
There to-day many anxious hearts all over
the country. wearying many nreside to know
what is to be the fate OF those who peried life and
limb in the great strife, and which many sup.
posed q grateful people would never for
get. Whether 1t ts to go forth that they
are to enter upon new life OF competition for their
bread, after many OF forgetiuness OF anything
like competition IN trade,' or to remain servants
OF the government they helped to save and mako
wnat II Is to-day, Is the question.
In view OF the unsettled state OF Indian AFFAIRS
the lawlessness OF the West and The duties which
army officers are called on TO perform in the new
should be paid something more than the
cost OF living beyond the pale OF civil
on account Of the reduction OF regiments IL would
seem that many might be gwen places OF
trust and honor and especially as agents and super
lntendents III Indian anairs, under the stat OF
things. IL should raise blush the cheek OF
every American TO read what General sher-
his his salary. that he would nave '''Ia 10 re-. r.
turn 70 civil life, as he could not dis.
pense the hospitality required at his hands on
the small salary proposeG.n Think OF one OF Napo-
leon's marshas or OF Engand's Pennsuar heroes
ever having TO nint Qf sucn contingency growing
out OF nggardly economy How will history read
Of such a contemplate thought AZ yhs2 Is there
any sum possessed Wy our nagnates or merchant
princes 10 Dc mentioned Tor Single moment In COM
parison with the services OF the hero who marched
In triumph 10 the scar
Alas Tor such Yankee attempts utilize the braius
and daring OF such men AZ Grant, sherman and
Sheridan. There Is another class OF men deeply
ANXIOUS and looking to the Senate to protect their
interests in this bill which strikes ns their comfort
influence and well-belng; aud although 1t Affects but
about thirty men, they represent the religious denos
nations OF our land IN missionary work in the army
ana often the only religious element In new towns
In the Far West Army chaplains are paid less than
second ieutenants or cavalry while they rank as
captains OF infantry. ALI, with very few exceptions
are sent to the frontler, where the price OF living Il
enhanced many fold and from the distant posts
they must send their children East 10 be educated
Tor want OF suitable schools They are not allowed
perform manual labor often OF KIND uSey
10 degrade them In the eyes OF soldiers.
Their pay is sloo month and two ratlons
aday. ineY ought to have the pay and rank or sur
goons "a their work is supposed 10 be IA needml.
on the ground that the morals or the army are AZ
been Obliged TO resign account OF the meagre sup
port 10 themselves aud families. They claim
quate, but unjust az MOST OF the oficera
are educated OF government expense, whila
they have educated themselves In college,
aud seminary, aud nearly all are married men.
Tnere W as an excellent opportunity at the close OF
the war l up the army with choice officers; sut
members of Congress had too many relations need
ing places, ana mattered little TO them that many
were dlssipated and played out In business
circles. Tney could be pushed on to the Planz
and sinS or SWIM as the case might be-
or thoss remaining many should be weedcd
out for the good OF the service, aud intemperance
the curse OF the army, would be checked In good de-
gree. But FOR those who stood up manfully In the
face Of the enemy. and who might have gone into
business when u was better than soldering. we can
only advise them to take their few traps TO auc-
aou ana with the proceeds SET up peanut stand
IN some popalous city and while waiting Tor GUS
toners mciitaie on the gratitude or noble
country, whose pocal career IS dependent on pitch
Ing into something, 20 show how few dollars can
be saved, and the army has no home and few
friends il may well be the army as anything else.
treat Is Diana VI the Ephsslans JUSTICE.