The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-21

duty for several years, while their legiti-
mate labors are thrust on other company
officers. "why should the people Of the
United States get this weather service On
false pretences p
"ordnance and explosives are merely machines and
chemicals and great ability Is needed TO superntend
their manufacture As for inventions, the Ordnance
Department has given little nothing considering the
convenience and opportunities provided although it has
seized the inventions Of others and used them freely
without payment .ss Onccrs ofaruery, Infantry and
cavalry could experiment on their own arms and equip
ments aud from experience could often decide on propO
suons which are now sent before boards OF into the field
for trial. involving delay AMI expense
"Why scientific corps Is needed 20 provide such
articles saddles brides curry combs, brushes blan
kcts lariats pins hobbies horseshocs nails nosebags
saddleJags spurs and straps meat ration cans. great
coat straps knapsacks haversacks caniecns and straps
clothing bags knives forks, cups Ac &C. Is among the
mystcries'
1t is further observed that 1.-THE quarters
OF ordnance officers have long ago been
noted for elegance. convenience, and COM
fort" but when late law required head
quarters TO be located at military posts,
"thc general staff found suddenly that
quarters which had long been good enough
for the line medical staff and chaplains,
were unfit to live in, and the quartormas-
ters are now engaged in extensive repairs
and improvements at such posts, which we
think would otherwise have been never COM
menced." As to the paymastcrs, they spend
much OF their time in travelling, sending
their money ahead by express; whereas
quartermasters could Just IA well receive
and pay out the funds, and would do 50 were
both departments consolidated, and the sub
sistcnce department put in with them-an
improvement, we will add, which the BURN
SIDE bill does not even attempt. The
soldiers should be paid weekly by the
Quartcrmastcr or Captain-a plan often pro-
posed, but always defeated by the Pay De-
partmcnt, for fear that II would destroy the
paymasters' occupation" Again:
Many stan officers are ant 10 be inconSdcrac as well
as inexperienced, regarding the comiortand webeing o
the men and animals; leaving them In bal condition for
us To- rcdscipne and recuperae while they spend the
winter IN some city with nice comfortable Offices, which
they attend from To O'Clock, with ntermissiuu the
clerks. &C. doing most Of the work and after once
hours going TO comfortable quarters. enjoying pleasant
socicN and entertainments and provided with all the
convenience vt cheap and good markets, schools,
wants. 1c.'
In time Of war the officers Of the supply
STATS should know something Of soldier
ing" to supply soldiers; while such staff
officers as never commanded and are not tit
to command, "should no longer bc called
Generals. Colonies. Majors, and Captains
but should give way to men who can up
hold the titles" Time was when such titles
applied only to commanders and combat
ants; but now they are appropriated by
others who, however worthy in their own
lines, have little or no right TO them"
why should chief clerks, prosecuting attorneys.
mctcoruosi.s cashiers and tclers purchasing. Tor.
waring and commission agents clothing manufacturers
civil engineers superiniendents Of machine shops and
Laboratories have. such officials military uosf They
rarely uniform. but would be shocked # addressed
a. plain Mister. II they military men. many of
them are, let them bear share Of the dangers and
fatigue. a soldiers life We are willing 10 allow them
chances the honors for share Of their comforts and
earnestly ask that they be estopped from pretending
10 repre- H. In the great centres Of civilization while
they really pursuing their aims aud purposes
Whether they are 10 be estopped, It would
be dangerous TO predict. Congress is at any
time capable Of doing nothing or the wrong
thing In the way Of retrenchment. But II
cannot deny having had its eyes opened by
this disclosure from within the army itself.