The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-28
The Army.

There ID one radical dcfect In the Dill OF
Mr.. BANNING for recognizing the army,
which the Committee on Military Affairs
% the House hive authorized TO be re-
ported favorably. It does not propose 10
reduce the existing force at all, and there
fore provides for an army of 5000 men,
more than double what is actually re-
CURED for real and efficient service. Every
soldier enlisted beyond the strictest need
of protecting the exposed line OF the Rio
Grande, holding few hostile Indians in
check, and manning the forts in the In
dian country, Is an unjustinable expendi-
ture In these hard times of suffering and
privation.
The average cost of n soldier Is one thou
sand dollars per anuum, independent Of
the expense created beyond his pay aud
maintenance, for the support Of huge
military machine, its constant vast c. and
Its exposure TO abuses such as have been
developed in the recent inv estigations.
Therefore the saving to be effected by
reduction Of the army is simple proposi-
tion in arithmetic. and is not complicated
with any of the speculative schemes dis
guised with the name, but not having
tho substance of economy to recommend
them.
What the country now demands Is that
the army shall be cut down TO the smallest
working force consistent with efficiency.
The people have seen how thousands of
troops have been employed during the last
six years on partisan duty only. They
have seen all the reconstructed States held
by the bayonet, under the orders of cor
rupt Governors aud thieving marshals.
They have seen regiments stationed for
years in the cities and towns OF the South
Idle and demoralzed as mere political
agents TO oversee and control elections.
These abuses could not have happen ed
II the army was not excessive. a hundred
millions of dollars would not foot the
bills incurred by the War Department
alone in the preparation of such outrages.
1t is now proposed TO put the army on an
economical footing, to restore its former
discipline, and 10 dismiss every unneces-
sary man and officer. Ten thousand good
troops ought to perform every duty well.
and that reduction would save at least
twenty millions year.
A reduction to twelve thousand five
hundred soldiers, or one half the present
army, would economic about seventeen
or eighteen millions annually, or the in
forest on three hundred and fifty millions
OF Ave per cent. bonds. Mr.. BANNINGs bill
does not touch the marrow of the needed
yetrenchment. II only scratches the sur
face in q polite way. II the army had to
be kept up on the present scale, his plan
offers some improvements. But 1t fails in
being reform worthy of the name, be-
cause 1t does not strike at the root OF the
evil. We want no halfway measures or
peddling compromises A large army is a
luxury for the grandeur of magnificent
commanders and their stats, who sup
pose their Importance depends upon num-
bers, and who have como to initiate Euro
pean examples. Two months ago the Mill
tary Committee of the House were under
stood TO favor a reduction OF 5000 men. or
In other words, IN army of 10000. They
appear to have drifted away even from
this partial reform. The influences about
Washington are not favorable 10 retrench-
ment.
The last hope for arresting this extrava-
eanoe is In the Committee OF Appropria-
lions on the Army bill. Mr.. RANDALL and
his colleagues have thus far stood up
10 good faith to the pledges of the Demo-
cratic party, and laid a stern and an i'm
partial hand on the patronage of the
House, with every temptation and appeal
70 spare II. Here is another opportunity
10 carry out the work OF reform which has
been so auspicously begun, and the ooun-
Try turns with confidence to them TO in
INST that the standing army and the I'M
wteldly military establishment connected
with it shall be reduced to plain republi-
nan standard, sufficient for our wants and
nothing more