The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-02-25
Constructive Allowances.

Mr. BRAGG of Wisconsin, who heads n sub
committee Of that on Military Affairs, has
inserted the probe pretty deeply into the
abuses OF the Army Ring, and brought to
light facts that cannot fail to impress Tie
House aud the country. In addition TO the
large pay of the officers. they are allowed
extras by the act of July H. 1870, as follows:
"rucl. quarters. and fogasc may he furnished kuJ
bv the Pudrtctmastcrs Department. according to law
aud r,suauon.'
These words, LAW and regulations" have
no meaning FOR the ordinary citizen, except
what they ostcnsibly profess; but for the
expert IN their construction and applica-
ton, they have a professional significance
IN cmulumcnts added to regular pay which
run into the hundreds Of thousands when
aggregated.
Gen. MEICs reports. in answer to inquiries
on this law that the communication of quar-
tors. fuel. and forage to officers has ceased"
This answer Is technically true, but it is not
practically true, because private residences
or hotel rooms are charged n quarters; fuel
for supposed military quarters is turned to
private account, and forage for horses
allowed for public use IL either transferred
To- livery stables or utilized at the private
houses Of officers for their families. The
law allows Maior-Gencral forage for five
horses; a l. gadior-General for four horses;
Il Colonel for two horses; u Licutcnant-( OIL
one for two horses; a Major for two horses
Captains and Licutcnants, mounted for two
horses; Chaplain- for two horses; Ordnance
storekccprr and Paymastcr at Springfield
Armory for two horses, and all other Store
keepers for two horses.
Now. there are eighty officers on duty in
Washington who receive fuel. forage, and
quarters. These are the General Of the
Army. nine acknowledgements, thirteen
Colonies, three Lieutenaut-C oloncls. twenty
three Majors, xix Captains. eighteen Licu-
tenants. and seven acting Surgeons. For
trent 80 alone they draw five thousand two
hundred dollars. and In many cases the
quarters are IN the bedrooms Of the bcne-
liciarc-, and the horses charged to the Treas
ury a. kept Un duty are jobbed from the pub
lie stables
la New York there are one Major-Gcncral.
eleven Cooncls five Lieutenant Colonies,
fourteen Majors, nine Captains, and five
Licuteuant~ ia all forty-iive officer, who
draw three thousand one hundred and thir-
ty-two dollars under the head Of rent
In Chicago there are one Lioutcnant-Grn-
oral. thlcc Colonies, five Licutenant-Col-
onei-. six Majors, two Captains. and two
Licutclant- who draw one thousand three
hundred and nifty dollars for " rent Ia ST.
Paul there are one Brigadier-Gcneral. one
Colonel, two Lieut"naut-Coloncls, seven
Majors, five Captains, ana four Licutenant-,
who draw one thousand two hundred and
forty-two. dollars Tor rent"
On the stationary rolls these citio- house
one hundred and -iNty-!our officers, nclud-
ing some If the very highest ranks, to say
nothing Of the classes who do not get quar-
ter- fuel. and forage. besides there are
other benefits enjoyed. especially by the
layOrit"- who are stationed at Washington
ami in the great cities. which are not visible
ON the surface aud which count up cun-id-
rn4lly where families have to be supported
and choice prov isions are supplied ut whole
-sie prices.
Npmin. not an export and familiar with
all Oh" laws and regulations and practices,
can figure up rYactly the emolumont- OF
/ amy onitcrof high rank. The pay il alone
/ positively iiNed and the extras cannot now
/ hr computed i'm money. That is 10 say, an
| officer clunut convert his allowances into
| cash at the hand. Of the paymastcr. But
/ he can convert them Indirectly in IA round
about way, though, perhaps, at the sacrifice
/ of some personal convenience, and the strain
Of professional feeling.
| A system which encourages departure
/ lrom suldiorlY integrity, and at the same
/ time inll'cts a gross extravaganza ON the
/ public service" ought not surely to bee tolerate
/ od at time when every material interest is
| depressed, the revenues are falling off, and
relief marches at a sual's pace The ntol-
! Grant advocates OF West Point Of the Naval
| Academy, oi large standing army. aud Of
/ USELESS navy, stand in the light of the in
| sttutiuns they thus sustain against the
| general demand for economy, by refusing to
conform To the public necessities. They are
/ every day making enemies and provoking
| q sentiment That will, if hllly aroused make
| short work OF these nurseries Of an alisto-
cratic class, and of the prodigality that
now burdens the taxpayer.