The New York herald., 1873-12-30
WASHINGTON.
General Sherman on Reform in Army
Expenditure and Improvement
in Coast Defence.
Employment OF Public Servants and
Money for the Private Pur-
poses Of Fat Officials.
REPUBLICAN ECONOMY TO Be TESTED.

REPUBLICAN ECONOMY TO Be TESTED.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 1879
Employment OF Public Servants and
Money for Private Intercsts-The
Coming Investfgation.
Manifest mproprieties IN the manner Of provid-
Ing help at the white House having called for in
vestgation, which Is receive the serious atten-
tion Of Congress by resolution calling for inior-
nation from the Secretary OF War, 1t win first be
inquired by what authority enlisted men, whose
names are on the rolls Of the army, are serving
there in menial capacities, and the public will
want to know who is responsible for this violation
OF ocial integrity not to say OF the law 1t may be
asked, with some pertinence. whether men have
been employed there In various duties from that
Of messenger to cook, and from that OF house SER
want to barber, who draw their paw, rank.
Ing as sergeants and as high as captain.
we're placed at the Executive mansion they
were ranked as privates; but the pay not being
suficient in their own estimation and that Of their
employer, they were promoted by the Secretary Of
War, on the recommendation OF their employer,
70 be sergeants, SO as thus to be enabled to draw
increased pay for their important and useful CALI
ings. And in the case OF the cook, as every one
knows no second class hotel here can secure the
services Of good French or German cook at rate
OF wages less than from 500 to $175 per month
OF course the pay OF sergeant would never meet
the requirements Of the august functionary who
performs the delicate task OF catering to the re-
hned and sensitive epicurean palates Of the 'Jane
yoyale" and it is said that this individual must
he appointed to the rank OF captain, with pay
proper, SO as TO be enabled TO manage his '.flets
FoMs and pGttsserte.r
The Secretary OF war win have ample opportu-
nifty to explain these unhandsome travesties OF the
war god, which can only be CONSIDERABLY regarded
by very liberal adaptation OF the memorable say
Ing, "Peace hath her victories not less renowned
than war; A companion evil to this existed for
some time in the army during the early part Of the
war, whereby officers who were allowed rations
and pay for servants whom they never employed,
but In lieu thereof had soldiers detailed from q
company on the rolls OF which they were paid, and
hence these gallant officers pOcketed the funds and
Uncle Sam paid for services which he did not re-
Ceive. But the time came when some honest, fair
minded men saw this glaring and increasing fraud
WhereupOn due representations were made, after
corresponding Investigations, to the War Depart
ment, and orders were issued that thenceforth II
an Oficer drew pay for servant ana rations
he must have such servant in actual en-
purged Of this rascairy. Kindred with this misap-
plication Of the services OF those in government
employ Is the prevailing custom among officials to
have the messengers attend at their houses, make
mp bedding, black shoes, wait on table and do
chores generally for which the government Is made
to pay. How many more important domestic duties
are thus performed 1t is impossible to tell.
The committee, which are to be appointed, will
commence with the War and Treasury Depart
ments after 1t Is through with the White
House, and, as they progress overwhelming
evidence may be adduced which win apply to
similar dishonest practices in other bureaus. The
horses and livery, as well as the vehicles, OF many
republican patriots VIII bear o like scrutiny and
by the time the Committee has concluded It's in
vestigation Congress will find where q large
amount OF money is squandered, and how they
can practically get down to economical principles
without bowling and doing as the miserly and
weak cellarer did, Saving at the spgot and
wasting at the bung."
Reform In Army Expenditure and the
Policy of Coast Defence.
General Sherman yesterday, in conversation re-
specting the expense OF the army, remarked that
the estimates and appropriations placed that
branch OF the service in very false light before
the people. Under the head Of military establish
ment the estimates for the coming year were
throughout the country Is that 1t costs
that amount for the army proper. This had
often elected the observation in Congress and
the country that s35, 100000 was an enormous sum
for the support Of army OF but 80 600 men, which
would be ever $1,000 q man. The General said
that the truth OF the matter was that the cost OF
the army was $12.600,o00 for pay, mileage and
ordinary expenses Of the General and stan, Signal
corps, Corps OF Engineers, Ordnance Department
ten regiments of cavalry, five OF artillery, twenty
flve OF infantry and Indian scouts one band and
miscellaneous. The subsistence amounts to about
So, 900 for regular supplies 100000 for Incl
dentas, 800 600 for horses Tor cavalry and art
1ery 100000 for army transportation, s. SOC, 600
for barracks and quarters, s2,OOoooO for clothing
and eQuipage, 81, 100000 for the Medical Depart
ment $225, 900 and 100000 for preservation or
clothing and contingencies, making for the above
items about $500 900. In addition to this
$5.ooo 600 are added for the Military Academy con-
struction OF hospitals national cemeteries medical
museum, Engineer and Ordnance Departments
and armament OF fortlfcatons. The General re.
marked, as seen above. that the army transporta-
tion costs S. 10000 annually, and large share OF
this went for the movement OF troops from point
TO another, necessitated by the inadequacy OF the
military force. He was in favor OF pruning out OF
the army all non-combatant members and increas-
ing Its effective force to 10000 men, the increase to
be entirely composed OF the least expensive part
OF the army-the private soldiers in the infantry
and artillery-the latter to be intrusted with the
safety and keeping Of military property on the At
lantc, Pacific and Gulf and Lake coasts He opposed
the addition OF any more officers, as those now
in the service would answer every purpose; and
Furthermore he added that the cost Of company
OF 70 men in the aggregate would be but little
more than for so. The reduced force OF the army
kept the troops constantly in motion, and trans.
portaton, for instance to the Pacific coast he said
cost more than years pay OF q soldier. Besides,
ne added, the Government has over $6OO oOo 600
vested In fortihcations OF various kinds and these
are In majority OF instances neglected
and cost large sums for repairs when a