Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-02-06
From our Regular Correspondent
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON. Feb. Q.

LtSb week Il Dill WIS lHUrOuuCeu ny thO
committee on military affairs making some
important changes in the organization and
payroll of the army. but in no way im-
pairing its strength and effectiveness as a
fighting engine. Appearances are not
favorable to the passage of the bill. Too
many members of congress have mothers
in-law and other female connection who
are, in one way or another, welded to the
army, and the bill will reduce the national
expense to the tune of $6,000,000 year.
Gen. Butler made n witty speech supposed
to fivol the bill, but he will vote against
lit; he said there were one hundred and
twenty-five officers in Washington busily
engaged in avoiding the govt, and that
when in camp, these fine gentlemen amuse
themselves by laying out two Jumps OF
sugar and making bets us to which will
first attract fly.
The secret of the lobby strength of the
army is its direct and indirect female
power. The military bill has always been
manipulated and shaped TO please the
army, and the arrogant language of Cen
eral Sherman in Il recent interview is but
reflection of the general sentiment of
army officers in relation to the interference
of x-payers, through congress, with
what the officers have come TO consider
their hereditary rights and prerogatives.
1t would seem reasonable and decorous,
from any other than military standpoint,
that an army officer should see the propri-
ETY. OF his bearing small proportion of the
financial ruin that has come down like night
on this land, and from which no other class
is exempt. But General Sherman who,
twenty years ago, as superintendent of Il
school in Louisiana, was able to live COM
fortably on 81 800 u year, now protests
that he can scarcely meet expenses with
his salary of $1,000 and perquesits. A
powerful female lobby of cousins, wives,
daughters, mothers, and mothers-in-law of
army officers, and relations of too many
legislators, crush congress in their coils.
The balelul influence of women in legsla-
ton the devil only knows. West Point
has waltzed with and welded itself to
women of political influence for years; ii
has married and intermarried with con-
gress until now the country finds itself
saddled and straddled by Il hybred politico-
military aristocIacy that nothing short of
desperate bucking will dismount. Granted
that General Sherman and other generals
performed distinguished services during
the war-so did the armless and the legless
private, and the sacrifices of the latter
were greater than of the former. Sacrifice
is the highest element of heroism. | never
see the colossal bronze cavalrymen with
which The squares of Washington are dot
ted, without emotions of disgust and
shame If we desire honestly to commem-
crate the heroism of the war, why do we
not fix in bronze the one armed and the
one legged soldiers, or even those without
arms or legs? A few monuments of these
would be very original and terribly pictur-
esque. They might offend the aesthetic
sense of the ladies and the exquisite army
officers, but to the public generally they
would be suggestive, and provocative Of
reflection; at least, they would not offend
what we call the truth of history. Some.
time in the enlightened future we will be
traduced for our golden calf worship, for
mounting, at great expense, on colossal
bronze horses these who rode horses in
flesh, while those who were riding crutches
in the flesh, were left unhonored and often
unfed.
The debate yesterday indicates the defeat
of the military academy bill beyond 4
doubt, in its present shape. The demo
Gratis are not unanimous in its support
| Mr.. Beebe and Mr.. Potter of New York
have placed themselves on the record in
speeches against it. These two members
come from districts that include, or inn
pinge upon, West Point. The academy
is in Mr.. Beebc's district, but some of its
appurtenances are in Mr.. Potters district
and thus it is, Il national economical meas
ure must be sacrificed to the petty amb
ton of member of congress. There arc
many members here who have no higher
r idea of craftsmanship than to get an up
preparation allowed Tor some improvement
in their districts.
While on the subject of the army it may
not be uninteresting to mention that Can
ada, including all the British North Amer
lean Provinces, is governed without the
aid of IL regular army. No portion of thu
= English army has been stationed in Cana
= da for number of years, but the Canadi
an militia is so well drilled that it is al
D ways available for service. If Canada cal
get along without the use Of any regula
troops, why may we not be able to d
D without portion of the West Point grad
i yates in waltzing, composing the army Q
occupation in Washington?
" Skeleton manufacture is the lates