The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-07

any railroad on which troops Of the United
States are entitled to be transported free OF
charge" That is to say, although the
officer travels free Gen ALvoRD contends
that no ought to receive mileage, just as If
he had TO pay the usual charge of trnnspor-
tation! The excess paid for mileage before
the passage Of that restriction was n glar-
ing abuse. which could not be disputed with
justice when the investigation was made
by the Military Committee into the condi-
tion and cost Of the army Now the Pay
master-General wants the privilege restored
Of drawing money from the Treasury with
out consideration, in order to swell the
revenue of pampered officers.
Again, the Army bill Of last session broke
up partially the practices Of allowing for
age for horses not used in the public SER
vice, and which was VIGOROUSLY sold for
the profit OF the officers who received the
allowance; Of allowing fuel, which was also
sold TO the hotels or boarding houses; and
OF allowing for quarters never occupied,
which the officers converted into rent for
their own dwellings, or for the payment of
their living Mt hotels, contrary to the whole
this last item the act provides in this way:
"src That at all posts and stations where there are
public quarters belonging to the United states officers
may be furnished with quarters in kind In such public
quarters and else where by the Quarrrnasers De
pnrncnt. assigning the officers each grade respect
lively such number OF rooms Il now allowed To such
grade by the rules and regulations vt the army
pfpdi That ut places where there public quar-.
ters Communication therefor may he paid by the PAY De-
parmcntto the officer entitled to the rate not
exceeding ten dollars pr month per room, aud the
mutation Tor quarters allowed 10 the General shall be at
the rate of hundi ed and twenty 1--WE dollars per
month and to the Lieutenant General at the OF
seventy dollars per month"
This liberality on the part OF Congress docs
not meet the views of Gen. ALvoRD who
crlticises 1t officially as inadequate" and
modestly recommends draft OF bill pre-
pared by himself, as the nt thing to be
adopted for rcorganizing tho army. These
Generals and their magnificent stafs who
flourish about Washington and the great
cities in the social sphere, and do duty at
fine dinners and in the round dances, have
come TO the conclusion that Congress is
rather an impertinent body, which con-
stantly assumes to NEEDLE with their old
privileges and allowances.
Hence, Gen. ALvoRD and others like him.
following the example of their chief, Gen.
SHERMAN. never let n chance slip OF remind
Ing Congress that the consecrated usages
Of the army must not be disturbed; that
feathers and epaulettes are sacred institu-
tions; and that this business OF reducing
pay and cutting of extras for forage and
fuel and quarters and mileage is small and
unworthy Of II great nation. who ought 10
regard the army. the navy, and the marine
corps-mado up from the refuse OF both the
Others as an aristocratic branch OF the
Government, to be favored and protected
above all other interests.
Heretofore by combinations. by family
ties, by social influences, and by arts which
are well understood at Washington, the
army has stood out as an exception to the
work OF reform initiated in the Eorty-fourth
Congress. Democra u have yielded to these
seductive charms. So that, united with the
Republicans solid. every measure which
looked to thorough reorganization Of the
army and reduction 10 the necessities OF
the service and the wants OF the country
has failed. The time has come at last when
this thing must bc stopped, and the army
must stand on the same footing with other
parts Of the public service. And whoever
stands In the way OF this reform In Con-
gress may expect 10 share the fate of those
who are left at home now because they
were either treacherous. Indifferent. or luke
warm in their duty TO suffering constituents
and the public welfare.