The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1878-08-02


found General Sherman, this hottest
day of the season, in his Office, in the north
east corner Of tho old War Department. He
was busy ut work, with q fan in one hand
and pen In the other. Dressed in linen,
with no marks of hts calling except the mil
itary buttons on his waistcoat, he appeared
to be cooler than any OF the many officials
have seen to-day in . somewhat protract-
ed search for news. Behind the General
sat his personal aid, Colonel Audenreid, also
at work at his desk, dressed with his usual
elegant taste. s-e.
uGeneral." said I, "san't you give me
something about the inconsistencies OF the
army bill, passed the day before the close
Of Congress ?'' +...... ,,.<.. .-..s r. .-
"Yes, he answered. turning his chair
around. but you can mako much small
or paragraph On its constituencies. WHAT'S
1t yon want to know?" 5as,
-ftT Nans TO know how it win affect the
army" a afs +-t
go, it raises h----l. In the first place it
prevents the use of the army to protect em-
| igrants. That posse comitatus part Of the
bill In the merest piece of foolishness know
of. The army has always been subordinate
| to the civil authorities, but don't see,
| under the provisions of this act, how the
army can be nsed to suppress riots or pro-
tect the emlgrauts unless the President de-
clares martial law in the excited district or
declares war against the particular tribe Of
Indians. 1t is getting so that we shall have
to apologize to the people we whipped.
They come here and get everything they
want, for it is easy to get such fellows as
Banning, who hasn't got brains enough to
be dry goods clerk. I"
| NO MONEY SAVED. ..t.
."Will the bill save money ?" aa4
"No. believe the army will cost more
the present year than it did last .j
How about the anomaly Of mounted Of
fcers going afootP' s..a..'.a
"Oh there's another d--d piece of
foolishness. just look at it. Think of bat
terry commanders going afoot while their
men arc mounted. AL general officers by
this act are dismeunted. For instance, !
am not allowed single horse, nor General
Sheridan. This law provides that no officer
east of the Mississippi river shall be allowed
forage, and of course he can't keep horses
without forage. The spectacle is presented
of officers of light battery at East st.
Louis drilling their men, who are mounted,
while the officers themselves are afoot.
Was there ever such absurdity and incon-
sistency ?'' Across the river, within mule,
battery may be stationed, whose officers
may be mounted. How can the efficiency
of an army be maintained without the drill
and how can army officers on foot drill .
| company of cavalry or artillery that are
mounted ?'' .si
remarked that il would seem rather
funny to see an officer, on such hot day a.
| this, running after charging squadron of
| cavalry, yelling at the top Of his voice and
commanding the men not to go so fast and
to keep within hearing. ...t
"Well, General, how does the Law affect
general oficersP" E
"It affects them greatly. For instance,
General Sheridan, at Chicago, is not allow
ed horse, while Colonel or Major on
the west bank of the Mississippi river is al
lowed two horses. The law even starves
the old black horse that Sheridan rode at
Winchester, which was alive at last ao-
counts. The old fellow will have to be shot
now, for the Government will not feed
him."
What have you dene with your horses,
eneral S'' =.rse
"Well, I've given the whole id
thing away, horses, harness and carriage.
You can't sell horse in Washington. you
know. One horse, which Was old and lame,
ordered to be shot, because couldn't give
him away"
NO APOLOGIES.
"Have you any of your war-horses
left?''
"No thank God they are all dead, and
shall not have to apologize to them for
the meanness of Congress. ID should hate
70 be obliged to tell them that the Govern
ment wouldn't feed them" H..
The General then took up the army bill
and ran pencil along the margin to cali
attention to that portion of the bill relating
70 quarters. ssa aas ..w est.7ai
Isl was formerly allowed 3250a month
for quarters. Ii was the same in 1859 to
the General commanding the army. This
law cuEs me down to, 1925 q month. sheri:-
dau is. allowed only $40 month, which
everybody knows will not hiss two rooms
Of suitable character ID Chicago, The the
ory Is that while officers are in barracks, .
certain number Of rooms are provided for
them, according to rank. When serving in
city where quarters are not owned by the
Government, officers are allowed money
valuation. ID They are supposed to have 9
furnished house, SO they can pull mp stakes
and leave at q moments notice on being or.
dered to new fields. Why, General Han
cock has had to leave New York on ac-
count of this law. He has gone to Gsv-
ernor's Island, into the Government bar
racks. He could not afford to live ID New
York. s@ Es.H ,g..sz@.fsstg
iias How about fuel 2''E t 8as ,asta
aWell. the law. 10 very inconsistent 10
legard to that. Formerly wood was issued
| TO officers. Now the government sells II 20
them. In Fort Buford, for instance it viii
take nearly all an ofsioer'spay orths pur-
Sasss.ss Sasss oE oe feel k:ie eMeers N Southern
California would not hare to bug any fuel
except alittle for cooking purposes. At
very cold posts the purchase OF fuel viii be
very severe tax on the officers. The Law
discriminates against such officer and in
| favers of those in hot climates.n . i ~
| In the matter Of quarters. il was subse-