The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-07

Proposed Increase of the Regular
Army.

increase of the army by $500 men.
or course the General and the
Northumberland and the other great
Generals who rejoice in large commands,
aud who admire the European system of
huge standing armies, make the most Of
this occasion TO fortify the arguments
which they used against reduction, when
The Indian war did not exist at all and was
not even apprehended.
The House reduced the army about 1900
men in the aggregate, or say, one-ifth Of
the reduction which public opinion had
long demanded. Other changes were
made which cut down the expenditures
considerably. The Senate resisted these
economies, and finally n compromise was
= patched up, by which between two and
three millions were saved Ms compared
with last year, but the full force of the
army at 5000 men was allowed 10 stand.
What may be called the Indian argu-
ment was used to prevent retrenohment
on the intended scale, and under a tempo
nry panic created by the tragic fate OF
CUSTER and his gallant command. no voice
was raised to protect the people against
this extravagant legislation. Now it is
proposed to go n step further and TO add
several millions year TO the army ex-
pendtures, not temporarily, but by reGu-
iar enlistments for three years.
At this time the force under TERRY and
Crook is about 5000 men, and the best in
formation from the point of danger is
that the Indians are scattering in small
bands, and must soon break up from the
want of supplies and ammunition. Mill
tary men and others accustomed TO FROM
tier life aud Indian lighting admit that
this force is abundautly adequate to all
the demands of the campaign, and probn-
bly, is much greater than will be needed.
Independent Of the large body Of troops
In Texas along the line of the Rio Grande
and the exposed Indian frontier there are
now scattered in the Southern States
about $500 men.
Gen. SHERMAN appeared before the
Military Committee OF the House to urge
d straight increase OF $500 men. or in other
words TO make the army 1880 strong,
instead Of the present limit OF 5000
enlisted men. For various reasons he
opposed calling out volunteers, and
thought the regulars better for the par
ticular service. A few extracts from his
statements are worthy Of notice. He was
asked by the Chairman;
could the army in the Indian country be properly
srs s,aes oatde oi esss no" !" tue S0u
Gen snEhsAS.I undsrsanc from the higAssi az.
and yeueHue egictfs Or pa!ntI.H,Rg ne paoio peace
I9: e5:lrS.a@fss a:,ss! !. p my lnsqi.y wa. to
see,n whe9sr s SoSps sGnd ee snsTed from the
"Gtn sHENsAs.I an coinpeled to snswer taai they
Sass ssert sST sS I ana afS.g That de-
MIR. FERRY-You 90 not however. say that II II
Scns o.en Jsdgmentt, =. ,..,,, Utah, .,,,..
an opinion"
1t quite clear from these passages that
the troops in the South are 10 be kept
there for use during the Presidential
campaign. Gen. SHERMAN is emphatic in
placing the responsibility for this decis-
ion" on the President, who alone has the
power TO make 1t. He expresses no judy
ment of his own, but falls back entirely
ION those who are Entrusted with power"
Here, then, are more than 5000 troops
Idle in the Southern States, whom the
President will not allow 10 go where they
may be actually needed. And at the
same time, an increase of the regu-
lar army TO the extent OF $500 men is
pressed by him and by the Generals around
him. without considering the cost to the
Treasury or the augmented burden to tax
payers.
No artful receptions will blind the coun-
try TO the real facts in this case, which
would add several millions a year TO the
budget. No more troops are needed.
There are too many now by at least IL, 600,
and this Indian business is only false pI e.
text TO impose a larger standing army on
the country and TO swell the expenditures.
The tendency to extravaganza has only
been crippled, not extinguished. 1t breaks
out every where in the public service. on
the slightest OF excuses.
We hope the House viii put its foot down
on this scheme, and not give another dol
lar OF man 10 the army while these thou
sands of men are idlng and Inactive. This
Indian war on the Western plains Is the
result Of the infamous policy Of the Ad-
minstration, by which the tribes have
been first cheated and robbed by Ring
OF scoundrels in and out Of Congress, and
then armed and melted to hostilities, in
order 10 open the doors wide for more
contracts and jobbery.
An IndeeOrous Appointment.