New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-20
GEN. SHERMAN ON STAFF REDUCTION.

POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITY FoR INFRINGEMENT.
To the Lditor OF The Trtbune.
SIR: Gen. Sherman has been before the
Military Committee Of the House aud has advised Con
gress reduce The stan OF the army at least that part
of the staff over which he has control but which Is
under the Secretary OF War. He shows no desire for
reduction OF his own part. He - like Artemus Ward
Who though not willing to goto the war himself. showed
his patriotism by wishing the draft might take his Nife
brothers. cousins, &c.
It's clearly the duty OF tho Gcneran Chief 10 mako
I'm the sfa all the reductions he has the right and the
power make, before calling Congress TO act 10 the
matter. What has Gen sherman done in tins recardf
Qnite recently he took Major Wmppe) OF the regu-
lar Adjutant Generals Corps md made him his Adu-
tantGencral. According "a the Generals own showing
the duties OF this Office are merely nominal The work
done the Secretary of War and the AdJutant Gen
eral OF the army.
lie has also taken Major Poe from his pct aversion
the Engineer Corps. and given him the socaled duty OF
Engineer at Army Headquarters. The nominal duty OF
these officers could he just well performed with
out additional with it but the General has
ferred upon them the rank pay and allowance OF Col
oDe This not the worst OF It no has taken from
their companies the Indan frontier, where accord
ing to his own before the Committee. their
services must he needed. three captains OF cavalry
AudenrIed. Bacon, and Tourteottel, and las placed
them on his staff with the rank pay and allowance OF
Colonel to dO-nOtbing Then, II 10 touch bottom in
the military hierarchy he has taken lieutenant oil ar
tlery mccoy from his company and given him, toe.
the rank paw and allowance OF Colonel for doing the
same that the above captains OF cavalry do.
that laW-exteDded over rom the late war
an act of courtesy, permits Gen sherman thus TO
increase the staff colonies, hut there Is no law OF
the dud necessity which requires bm to do So and
he can il he chooses. reduce the stan tomorrow by six
cOonels with the result that tho staff Will not be III
iured the Government will save money, aud the army
will get the legitimate services with their proper rank
OF tour good COMPANY officers.
1t il yery remarkable that FOR doing nothing or next
10 nothing the General should maintain on his stan six
officers u the rank of colonel which, nc saws II IA high
"A grade a. the AdjutantGeneral, Quartermaster-Gen-
erai Chief Of Engineers, and others, should enjoy for
the valuable services they render and Immense respon
sihites they under Talk is cheap. When the Gen
era has done all his power to iednce his o" stan DC
can with better grace, call OF Congress 10 reduce tha
Of tue secretary OF War. y
Washington. Jan. 10, 1874.
I'VE have been disposed to regard Gen. Sherman 3
recommendations az made in good faith, and what
ever NAV be said about the special cases here cited
feel sure at any rate. that if the Administration
were 10 agree 10 90 far ~ Gen. Sherman will III
rigid measures of retrencbment, the country will
have far fewer burdens TO carry during the coming
two years,-Ed.I