New-York tribune., 1878-03-01

by the Judiciary Committee. Secretary Schurz
and Attorney-Gener Devens.
GENERAL BANNING's BILL CRITICISED.
GENERAL SHERMAN REGARDS 1T AS A MEASURE FOR
DIsoRGANIZISG THE ARMY.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSEl
wAsHiNGrON Feb. 2S.-1he Washinston Post pub
fishes this morning interview with General
Sherman in regard to the provisions Of Mr.. Bannings
bill for the reorganization Of the Army. Speaking
of the bill generally. General Sherman Is represented
as having said II regard it q measure for the
disorganzation Of the Army, and / also think that
it comes with very bad grace from General Banning.
On July "a, 1875, Congress created'a commission.
consisting of two Senators, two Representatives,
and two Army officers, with the Secretary of War
as 4 member ex-0fiiclo. This Commission was cre-
atcd for the purpose of examining the whole subject
OF Army legislation, and to devise measures for
the reorganization and reformation OF the Army.
The Commission met pursuant to that law ana
every member of it, contend, fulfilled his whole
duty. except Mr. Banning, who neither presented a
written nor verbal communication TO that Commits
sion, ard who attended but one or, at most. but
two IF the many meetings OfSthe Commission.
His want OF cooperation was one, II not the chief,
cause why the Commission could not fulfil Its
duties. Every other member labored 10 the END
called for by the act Of Congress, so think, as
have said before that IT comes with i'll grace from
Mr.. Banning 10 submit bill to disOrgaDiZe the
Army instead Of aiding the other members to do
what they were commanded to do by.an act of Con-
grcss--to report bill TO reorganize and reform the
Army Of the United States" Tho conversation
continued as follows:
"What do YOU mean by saying that Bannings bill
is one Tor the DISCRIMINATION of the Aunyp
"The Army regards this bill Of Mr. Bannng's as
reducing il to a paupcr establishment subject to
constant and everlasting change instead OF an nom
orabe profession leading to honors and future re-
ward. IN no country on earth VIII men submit
themselves 10 the hardship oi army life without the
hone OF some future advantage; and. if Congress
duc,s the Amy and the pay to the pinching limits
OF want the result may be that Army officers NAV
become like somo of our civil officers, and be ac-
cuscd OF graspng for immediate and dlshonOrable
gam 70 provide Tor future wants.
"What about this charge. so frequently made,
that the stan j. too large out Of proportion, III iact
to the SIZE OF the Arnyi"
"The staff is too large for the existing Army, but
ever since Wa,hingtons time the policy has been 70
maintain staff large enough 10 admit Of doubling
,rcb,iug. or quadrGplng the establishment at the
very shortest possible notice, counting on in
cren,lng the fighting force of volunteer regi-
nlouts. as was done IN tho Florida war. the
Mexican. and the Civil wars. The Army appears to
the peoplc too heavy, because they are ignorant Of
the noccs.ies uf the service. Any law OF Congress
touching the ORGANIZATION Of the Army or the pay
which encourages officers - remain on duty III the
field. in preference to remaining on stan or
fancy duty in the East, will meet my hearty ap-
provai and sanction
"What auout this matter of forage for horses,
Of which 50 much has been SAID and written re-
centlyp
"Olleers are supplied for their horses according
to their rank. They have to buy their own horses
aud pay for everything except forage. In the
field this is done literally. In cities. like Wash
inrton. it Is simply impracicnble and they habit
ually have their forage delivered to some livery
stable man who furnishes them horses and gives
them credit on their bills for the value OF the
forage; but in no event can an officer receive any
part of the value of that forage in money. On
the contrary. at the end Of the month, they have
the balance TO pay in cash."
"Is this strictly legal ~
Certainly. because every officer must be pre-
pared al an hours notice, fully equipped for war"
"In case an officer has not tho horses, is he al
lowed 10 draw the forage =
"No, SIR
"What can you tell me about Communication OF
quartcrsT
"Ihe Government furnishes the quarters anu
limits the price. The officer simply indicates
his preference 10 the Quartcrmaster, who Sc
lects the quarters aud pays the landlord The ot-
Ger cannot, by any possibility, derive any money
benefit from il. and If the rent be more
than his legal allowance he must pay it out of his
own pocket. The allowance Is the same as II was
when General Bragg drew his commutaton here in
Washington in 1s6i-'6J. Ii is well known that
officers living in public quarters in contact with
troops are generally better off than their neighbors
but those who live in cities in hired quarters ana
have families 10 educate are usually III the moSt
stratcncd circum- tances, and have to resort To all
manner Of shifts to make both ends meet.
Properly they occupy hlgh soclai posiuoh,
which imposes upon them unavoidable expenses
and this is feature that should always be taken
into consideration when estimating Their income ana
outgo You know as well us |, that the unwrltten
laws Of society arc more arbitrary thai the statute
law and lie who from The nature Of his calling III
compelled TO 60 INTO society must bear all OF the
burdens aud fulfil all tho duties oi his station OF
he branded AS nggard. most all onr ti9uDes
grow out of the fact that have families, ana Con-
eress ought either to pay officers enough to support
their families or forbid them 10 marry"
"What do you think of this bill OF General
Braggs, to compel officers 10 wear thcir uhiioihiS
at all times and pacesY =,
"No change has been made in the customs OF the
service in the last forty years III that respect nty
arc the same as they are ~ Eneland to,iiaS: S M On
scribed uniforms. When with cltllehS theA usually
wear the same clothing that citizens do. ihey are
well bred gentlemen, and as such do not desire TO
become conspicuous by wearing uniforms when not
on duty.D
JUDGE LEONARD'S MISSION TO CUBA.
TIE REPORTED KIDNAPPING OF SOUTHERN NEGROES
TO BE INVESTIGATED.
fGEsBRAL PRESS DIsPArCHI
WAsnISGToN, Feb 2s.-Several weeks ago the