The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1878-02-22
WAsHIsoros, D. G., Jan. so.
Editor Democrat:

WASHINGTON, D. G., Jan. so.
Editor Dsnocras:
The debate on the silver bill wa,
resumed on Monday in the Senate, and
Senator Morrill, made speech which
was chiefly remarkable for being three
hours long The debate will no doubt
continue during the week, and vote. i,
IS thought, win be reached ON Saturday.
The vote in the House on the Mathews
silver resolutions was more favorable to
the measure than its most sanguine
friends had anticipated. They did moi
expect to develop two-thirds majority
with SO little effort, and the result is
that very little apprehension is felt
about the Presidential veto. II is eur.
rently reported, by those who are sup
posed to have information, that the
President has determined to let the sill
yer bill become law, by the lapse Of
ten days, without his signature. This
viii seem to relieve him of a certain
aetive responsibility, and viii expedite
the inevitable, since it will, in this way.
become law in q shsrter time than If
1t were necessary for Congress to pass
the bill over the veto.
THE PROPOSED MILITARY BILL.
After the silver bill, which may now
be considered as practically passed, the
subject that excites the greatest interest
Is General Banning's proposed Array
Bill. An economical result of its pass
age will be fetal saving of $4,000, 600
per annum; and it is insisted, that it
viii not materially interfere with the
strength and efficiency of the Army.
The bill centemplates important changes
in the rank, line, pay and organization
Of the military establishment, with .
reduction of the number of enlisted
men to 10000. The cavalry regiments
are reduced from ten to six; the infantry
regiments from twenty-five tu fifteen ;
and the artillery regiments from I've to
three. The infantry regiments will con
sist of three battalions Of four eompa-
niles each, and it is designed that two
battalions shall o0nstituts the peace
establishment. The Bureau of military
justice is abolished and an officer, with
the rank of Colonel, is to be detailed as
judge advocate. The Adjutant- Generals
and Inspector Generals departments are
reduced and organized, and some Of
the grades are to be filed by detail from
the line. The Quartermaster's and sub
sistence departments are to be conselida-
ted into one department of supplies, =
and in this alss the different grades are
to be filled by detail from the line of the
army. The medical department remains
for the present in statu quo, but the
Secretary of War is expected to report
to the next session of Congress upon
what reductions may be feasible in that
department. The number Of paymas-
tiers is reduced from ffty-two, TO- twenty
five. The number of Major Generals
is reduced to one; of Brigadier Generals,
To three. The headquarters Of the army,
in times of peace, is fixed at Washing
ton, and all orders are to be issued
through the General of the Army.
Hereafter no civilians are to be pro-
fessors at West Point, but these places
are to be- filledby detail from the Army,
and detsils of officers for presidents and
professors in colleges viii be made only
from the retired list. Officers are to be
retired at sixty-twO, or after they have
served forty-fivs years, unless they shall
have received vote of thanks from
Congress for. distinguished services, in
which cnse they may be retained until
they have served fifty-fv years. These
are the main features Of the bill, and it
is thought probable that it will be
passed without any very important
amendments, for, while there are those
who oppose a numerical reduction Of
the Army, it is conceded that this bill,
Though making important economical
changes, will not impair its fighting
strength.
There is strong sentiment in Con-
gress in favor of compelling all officers
Of the eArmy to weer their uniforms. The
object isto cultivatsa political sentiment
against the excess of officers of leisure
in the Army. This, it is thought, win
be accomplished, by showing at a glance
the large number of officers who have
nothing to do but draw their pay. This
class is very numerous in Washington
and in some other cities, but from the
fact that they wear citizens clothes they
are not distinguishable from civilians.
One cannot go On Pennsylvania Avenue
without brushing against Generals, Col
Onels and Majors on every block, and
they are daily on the floors Of tho House
and Senate as lobbyists. If they could
be required to advertise their profss.
sions by their uniforms, eur Legislators,
and those who appoint Legislators, might
hn arnnsad to ask uhu so n.anu nf tha,.