Arizona citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Pima County, A.T. [i.e. Ariz.]) 1870-1880, 1876-04-29
THE ARM n.
The Rising COntest Between Line
and Stan-A Top Heavy Institu-
tiOn-The Beginning of n much TO
be Desired End.

J
We have frequently referred to the
exposition Of abuses in our army sys
tenn, which the New York Herald ha.
so ably and opportunity set on foot
There has of late years been a growing
disgust throughout the nation at the
disgraceful fact that with the expendi
ture of princely revenue, the United
States has regular army which is sim
I ply delusion and snare. Knowing a:
We have known, that the line of the
army which we see on the frontier:
possesses a number of honorable and
hard working officers and men, who
are in no ways to blame for the state OF
affairs complained of, we have regretted
to see the growing complaints heaped
indiscriminately upon the army rs d
whole. The Herald's Washington cor
respondence of March %, corrects this
indiscrimination, and presents certain
! phases of the muddle in such a caustiC
and concise light that we quote al
length for the enlightenment and en-.
tertalnment of our readers. The Herald
says;
1t is high time that the hue and cry
against that which is properly denomi-
mated the army, but which is practically
the hard worked, meagrely-subsisted
list of line officers, should be placed on
the right scent. Itrequires but glance
at the register, aided by limited ex-
perience, to cOnyince any sane mind of
the pOnderouS bulk Of the staff as CON-
pared with the regimental organization
of our army. Commencing with the
Inspector Generals Experimentation
sistng of five colonies, two lieutenant
colonies and one major "a strong re-
minder of a regiment with five colonies,
two captains AID one private)-one is
puzzled 10 understand for what sub
Stantal reason such a display of IN
adulterated rank was intended, except
it be to afford these lucky recipients of
public bounty the satisfaction Of brow
beating their equally intelligent and
exemplary brethren. To be sure, il is
a great thing TO be posted in all matters
pertaining 10 company papers, and it is
doubtless q very great accomplishment
TO be able to decide at a glance whether
Private McGutfy has rust on his musk
ct or Lieutenant So and So wears the
prescribed uniform. just how much
time is required to hit one for the per-
Torrance OF such arduous duties is un-
certain-possibly a month or six weeks
no matter Does it also require these
eagle-eyed swordbearers TO stalk the
earth rs tall as fir treesy Would not Il
captaincy or respectable first lieu
tenancy satisfy the conditions of the
case, taking under consideration the
fact that their legitimate duty is TO ex-
anime and report to higher authority,
not TO bully one out of his wits on the
spot? Besides, if the writer is correctly
informed, 1t is seldom that these gigan-
tic exemplars Of all that is precise and
worth knowing have an opportunity to
display their marvellous attainments,
inaSmuch rs their visits are limited by
both wind and tide, as well as by their
personal demands for a change of eli
mate. Then, too, the great event of
their coming is, as rule, heralded by
telegraph and all modern appliances
weeks beforehand.
OfcOurse Private McGuffy and Lieu
tenant SO and so are in apple pie order
Just in the nick of time, to the intense
qualification Of the acting professor of
military propriety and wisdom, who
has but brief interval to devote to the
public service, as indicated by the
whistle of the waiting train. The
EXPOSURE OF CAMP LIFE
extending over a longer period than one
day seems TO be too severe for the (mil-
itary) organization of these keen-sighted
gentlemen. No doubt army eXotics
grow rankest in our large cities, but
isn't the Congressional flower garden
at Washington sufficiently expensive
without an annual outlay upon the
cultivation of these travelling sun
fiowersS
You must not infer. Mr.. Editor, that
the writer for a moment loses sight of
the benefits to be derived from a rigid,
systematic inspection of troops. We
sincerely believe in inspectors and do
not think that the office could be safely
abandoned. At the same time, 10 rem
der it effective does not require Ma
poleons or lieutenant generals. A
worthy, intelligent subaltern, with the
necessary written authority in his hand,
would be quite as well received, and II
sent, as III the French army, with less
blowing of trumpets, wonld perform
far more important service. Possibly
a sufficiently robust aide-de-camp might
be selected from time TO time whose
services could be temporarily dispensed
with at headquarters without perma-
nent injury To the national welfare.
This would at least serve to break the
mOnotony for those charming gallants
so iudiciously chosen for good looks,
brass and drinking capacity.
| observe that Il movement Is on loot
in the House for the consolidation OF
the Adiutant Generals and Inspector
Generals departments. If a simple
shifting of the present incumbents oil
the latter to the ranks OF the former is
intended, we object Heaven protect
us. at all events, from the customary
result of all previous efforts at stan
actual increase OF botn
numbers and rank. We approach with
becoming awe the
BUREAU OF MILITARY JUSTICE,
headed by a brigadier general, sustained
by eight full blown majors. Must a
military justice whatever that may be- z
What have these eight young gentle
men done Tor their country TO entltle'
them to such peculiar distinction !:
Does it require all this imposing array
to interpret the stereotYped proceedings
of modern court martial> IL l. Il Mat