The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-03-29
LINE AND STAFF.
The Fierce Contest in Army and Navy
Between the Two Divisions.
rHE LABOR AND RESPONSIBILITY CONTRASTED.
A Naval Line Officers Vindictive
Plea for Vengeance.
THE HERALD CAUSTlCALLY CRITICISED

WASHINGTON, March IS, 1876.
To EDITOR THE HERALD:-
recent article in your excellent paper directed at
tenton to the army, giving facts in reference thereto
that ought 10 have been impressed upon the minds OF
our legislators long ago II high time that the hue
and cry against that which is properly denominated
tho army but which is practically the hard-worKea
meagrey subssted list of line officers, should he placed
on the right scent II requires but glance at the
register aided by n limited experience 10 convince
any sane mind OF the ponderous bulk OF the stan as
compared with the regimenial organization oil our
army Commencing with the Inspector Generals De-
partment-consistng of Eve coiones two lieutenant
rolonels and ono majorta strong reminder OF reg
mept with five colonels captains and private-
ono is puzzled TO for what substantial
such display Of unauthorized rank was intended, ex
cent il be 10 afford these lucky recipients OF public
bounty the satisfaction Of browbcatng their equally in
tefgent and exemplary brethren To be sure, it is
great thing be posted all matters pertaining to
company papers, and il is doubtless very great ac
complishment to be able TO decide glance whether
Private McGuny has rust his muskct or Lieutenant
So and SO wears the prescribed uniform. Just how
much time required 1T for the performance OF
such arduous duties uncertan--possiby month or
six weeks-no matter Does II also require these
eagleeyed swordbcarers stalk the earth tall as FIR
trees? Would not capaincy or a respectable nrst
eutenancy satisfy the conditions of the case, taking
under consideration the that their legitimate duty
Is to examine and report to higher authority, not TO
bully one out OF his wits the spotS Besides,
II the writer is correctly informed, II is sell
dom that these gigantic exemplars of all that is
precise and worth knowing have an opportunity to dis
play their marvellous attanments, inasmuch as their
visits are limited by both wind and tide, well by
their personal demands for change of climate. Then,
too ehe great event OF their coming is, a rule,
heraded by telegraph all modern appliances weeks
beforehand.
OF course Private McGuny and Lieutenant So and SO
arc apple pie order just the nick Of time to the in
tense qualification Of the acting professor OF military
propriety aud wisdom, who has but brief interval to
devote to the public service, indicated by the
whistle of the waiting train. The
EXPOSURE
extending a longer period than day seems to
be too severe the military organization OF these
kcen-sghted gentlemen. No doubt army exotics grow
rankest large cities but isn't the Congressional
flower garden ut Washington sufficiently expensive
without annual outlay upon the cultivation of these
travelling sun1owers?
You must not infer, Mr.. Editor that the writer for
loses sight Of the benefits TO be derived from
argid systematic inspection Of troops We sincerely
believe in inspectors and do think that the Office
could be safely abandoned. At the time to
tenant generals. worthy, intelligent subaiern, with
the necessary written authority in his hand would be
quite we'll received and If sent, in the French
army, with less blowing Of trumpcts would perform
lar more important service. Possibly sufficiently
robust nide-decamp might be selected from time to
time whose services could be temporarily dispensed
with headquarters without permanent injury the
national welfare This would least to break tho
monotony for those charming gaants judicously
50
observe that a movement is foot In the House
for the consolidation Of the Adjutant Generals and
Inspector Generals departments. liza simple shifting
Of the present ncumbents OF the latter
the former is intended, object Heaven protect u.s.
all events from the customary result Of all previous
efforts at stan economy-an actual increase Of both
numbers and rank. We approach with becoming awe
the
MILITARY JUSTICE,
headedby brgader general. sustained by eight full
blown majors Must man be major in order to dis
pense military justice whatever that may be)y What
have these eight young gentlemen done Tor their
country TO cntite them to such peculiar distinction
Does require all this imposing array TO interpret tho
stereotyped proceedings of modern court martial 2
II is matter OF surprise that any young OF
ordinary legal attachments should be content go
sleep the draw,r OF this crazy cumbersome piece OF
utterly useless furniture when he could do SO much
lure, he would doubtless be compelled TO know moro,
10 MORE and not be a major-all which, suspect are
important considerations. Just where these great
iuminnries arc held equilibrium. and just what
planets reflect thor light is uncertain. II is we'll I'M
derstood however that unwilling subaerns OF the de-
graded line are consisnty performing their duties
without so much graceful THANK you, sir. y
Would 1t not be we'll for competent committee OF
Congress- combining the best talent OF both
Houses, 10 interrogatc the Attorney Generals
Department to ascertain whether the extremely
lshouIderl knoty points pertaining to military
Wouldn't volume about half large as an easy
primer contain all the sensible justice dispensed from
thus musty old bureau from its organization TO the
present time Why the world Congress did not at
tach fcw-iust a fcw-storckeepcrs TO this depart
ment with the rank OF captain IS onestton thew Seem
10 bc so fashionable and such admirable back
ground against which the sublimty OF the shows
TO great advaptage-notning less than captain could
be thought orfor moment.
oUAKTKRMAsrER rs DEPARTMENT.
Next appears the extremely ablcbodcd Quarter
masters Department consisting OF only one brgadicr
general 1--we coonais eight lieutenant cooncs' four
teen majors with less Than thirty captains
them Ia waiting for something to do, and mill
tary storekecpers ALSO captains. 10 keep all hands
IRON doing IT, II there must be stores kept can't any
would like to know whether these faithful
stewards have kept the same stores since during
the war. To make the organization complete,
why not appoint limited number OF military BARRIERS,
furniture dealers, mfncrs, &c, &c.y Just consider
the advantages that would accrue TO The aforesaid col
ones, lieutenant colonies, &c In that event, being
relieved Of alt responsibility, their valuable talents
could DC manly exercised landscape gardening and
10 rendering themselves perfectly comfortable. Such
delightful enclosures would spring up in midst
in Tact, model farms, the profits from which would
enable these sons OF glory aside their entire sal
Try. Why shOuldn the SCARED Quartcrmascrs
department receive these pary iavors al the hands OF
en- indebted public?
Il every important town and village we're ornamencd
with one OF these country what encouragement
10 taxpayersi Then, too, there Is an air OF rcposc
about thoroughly equipped quartcrmasier who Is
MAJOR that has quoting effect upon the nerves Per-
haps u the wise heads IN CONGRESS would devote
little more serious attention TO this matter, additional
Inducements might be devised still Of
our young men with no visible employment to this adj