The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-12-20
PRICE TWO CENTS.
THE LATEST ARMY SCHEME
4 FIFTH WHEEL TO BE GIgEN THn
NIIION'S ON COICH.
More Psymasters for an Arny Tint hus Tive
PRymastcrs for Every 500 Mcu-iIow the
Ordnance DEPARTMENT was Reduced.

More Paymnsters for IN rny TINT tins Tive
PRymasicrs for Every 500 Ncu-iIow the
Ordnance Department Reduced.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1s.-According to re-
ports current in army circles, the Administra-
tion will Introduce into Congress this winter
bill for the increase Of the pay DEPARTMENT OF
course no one supposcs that In the present tenn
yer Of Congress bald proposition to enlarge in
stead Of diminish the army expenditures would
meet with moments consideration. That is
not the way things are now managed In Wash
ington by the close corpOrators Of vested in
terests large number OF ON 'ers, specially
favored, by being detailed on duty the bureaus
In WASHINGTON, have, by their long residence In
the capital, become more familiar with tho
means by which special legislation is effected
than even the average Congressman.
This was very recently illustrated In the case
OF the Ordnance Department, when, undor the
ruiso OF "a till to reduce aud reorgenize tho
Ordnsnco Department" three majors were pro-
mOted to be lieutenant colonies, six captains 20
be majors, twelve lieu;enants to be capt aims, and
SIX cen OinCets were added u the corps; tho
only reduction be ne In the proviso that no mora
should be added tlll-next time. II Is believed
that tho succCBs OF this mannuvrc j. deemed q
sufficient Justl1catiOn for attempting Its repetl-
ton thus session In the endeavor to enlarge tue
fhe number OF paymas,ers now In tho army
averages about two to every regiment ~ 200
men, the latter being paid every two mUnt hs, so
that 1t must be app rent to the most careless
observer that no necessity exists for the pro-
posed increase Indeed, very much doubt 10
among those most familiar with the services nd
duties required OF the paVtna,ters, there can be
| found single advocate Of this scheme except
| the present head nf the dei artmeht. Gen Al
| word himself, and those Immediately Interested,
| the latter including the half dozen officers Of
| the cOrps who Will be promoted to a higher
grade IN the new deal that Il expected t. result
| from the ro-caled reconciliation, and those
| leaders In Congress VINO, ivOring the measure,
| ex. Get 10 ind places In the augmented corps
Tor thcir iinp'cuninu- relatives.
| III army paymastcrs on tho plains and dis
| tani frontier have quite as arduOus duties to
| perform as other army officers. WITH quite az
| much risk OF life and limb, no one Will DENY; but
| II Il equally true that most uf those duties can
be quito "a well performed by the Captains Of
| the different companies as 10y the puymasters,
| and without costing the treasury cent for tho
| mere expense Of the p.ymcnts. II ia custOma-
| ~ before troops arc paid Tor tho C.utans OF
companies to send the necessary vuuch-
ers TO the CHIEF pavmHster for lis inspeO-
ton. Alter the accounts are carried ont as
| proceed with the two or three thousand dollars
| required to tho designated point ana pay the
| troops.
| 70 avoid the risk Of loss the funds are fro
| qucnty transferred to the quartermdster for
| trans uorta ion and the express charges aid 10y
| paymas'er takes the funds from the express
| uihcc and paws hem to the tr1ups. lhus to paw
| q two or three Thousand dulJrs the Govern
| mCnt Is put to the EXPENSE of tho two sal ries
| for the pay m tsteT and his clerk their mile age
10 the post and return, aud the express Ca goa
| on HE money.
The simple trutn IL that the Paw Department,
| Ike the Commiss,ry DEPARTMENT. should b0
| abolished. and the whole business be cpnsOu-
| q Ited ia the QuarteTHl. sttr's Department.