The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-13
RE0RGANIZING THE ARMY.
THE JoINT CONGRESSIONAL COMMIs-
SION ENDING IT'S WORK.
a Biu Providing for Less Nuu,ber of shvuh
der straps but the Same old Quota OF Niue
kets-some RdaIcal Changes Proposed.


a Bin Providing for Less Number of sh"uh
der straps but the same old Quota OF Niue
kets-some RdaIeal Changes Proposed.
WASHINGTON, Dec 12.-Somewhat TO the
surprise OF those aware OF the recent debates In
the Commission charged with the preparation
OF scheme for the reorganization Of the army.
the Commission to-day unanimously reported
a bill remodellinR the army in both line and
staff and providing n new code Of army resula-
tions. This unanimous report Is more remark
able Ms the bill repeals the section ofthe Revised
Statutes prohibiting tho appointment in the
army Of those who held commissions under the
Confederate States The bill reported to-day
has most Of the features Of the Army bill re-
ported last winter by Gen Banning and fol-
lows the same general line Of theoretical organ
izaton. II musters out 1856 officers on the
active list; reduces the regiments by eight aud
opens the retired llst TO indefinite expansion.
The present size OF the army. $4,000 strong. is
retained. and unless the army appropriations
for the next fiscal year arc made contingent on
its passage. the adoption OF this scheme of
army reform is improbable. hefollowing is q
brief abstract Of its salient features;
The number Of General officers is reduced 10
G the rank OF General and Lieut. General ceas-
ing with the present ncumbenisl. consisting Of
2 MHlOT- -1PntFNiN ana 4 BFlEN0lpf-GNnfrnlS.
There are now Major -Gouernls ami Brign-
diers. In the stan the Adjutant- Generals
Department and Department of Inspection are
consolidated. with the reduction Of officers in
the two departments. Reductions nt The num-
ber OF officers are made in other stn1 depart
ment. % IS: 'OG SaGsistence. .' Il; Msdlci p1uti 81;
Pay. 27 this is nearly one-halD: Ordnance.
AZ; and Bureau OF. Military Justice. 6.
The number Of chaplnins ls reduced by e!;ht.
and those now now a"tng rs post chnplains are
appolnted to regiments upon the recommsnia-
ton OF ther religious denomi nn;ions. In fu-
ture there are 10 be no stan officers below the
rink OF major; staff duties rcquring lower
lineal rank will be performed by details from
the line Tor the term OF three years. bnt no de-
tail is 70 be made until after six years service
with the proper regiment or corps. The cav
s. the infantry from 25 TO IS. max
ing tho reduction OF Q regiments. The
artillery regiments remain unchanged. In
out Tho regimenta organization is 70 consist
OF 4 oaltalions. instead OF 10 companiss. as
and two manned. Each battalion IL to consist
Of tour companies. The fourth battalion Is 10
be neither differed nor manned. aud will be
raised only rs authorized by Congress.
For the present the cavalry regiments will
contain three hattalions, fully manned. In the
artillery only two will be- An infantry regi-
mcnt will consisi Of eight companies. md with
the army az 25O09 men, regiment will be 730
strong. All bands and details for hands afe
abolished. as is all extra duty pay Post tra,ler-
ships are also prohibited. and the CommiSsary
Department is required TO supply all the wants
The manufacture Of arms by the Ordnance
Department IS positively prohibited. aud they
are required TO purchase in open market. This
would prnctirnlly stop the manufacture OF arms
at the arscnals.
No change is made In the pay OF officers. and
slight inrrense made In that Of NON commits
stoned officers. The retired list Is opened. In
stead Of being limited by law as Ia now the cslso
TO four hundred officers. all general officers
arc 10 be retired at 65. and ON ers OF a
lower grade at 62 ye"rs 81 age. ON
GERS retired are TO he divided into three
classes aud paid accordingly those retired for
total disability receiving full pay. partial sew
enty per cent. aud the lower class fifty per
| cent The officers mustered out are Ia receive
| years pay Tor every five years service where
| their record is good; whore II is doubtful they
wlll receive one years pay, at the discretion OF
| the President.
Tne army regulations embodied in the report
| are substantially those known m army cir lee
| as the Scot'-S oheld compilation. one siGnin-
| cant change made Is the requirement that ex-
| c"pt where engineers are detailed 10 supsrin-
tend civil works. all reports and orders snall
pass through the army hFadquartsrs