The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-02-12
The Marine torps.

The Marine Corps.
Col. &. q. Rl,C,NLiY. Couuandant Of tho
Marine Corp- 70, Wa-husfnu ciii-a, loudly
tor "morc phatr-' as k-hLUGG and
Cr>MnERLAIN u-cd tp,l1fol" more troops ="
when they wanted to carry an election.
The Drnoc4ii. HOUSE 10y the last Congress
failod to- consult the dignity and pride Of
this honorable corps, aud prov led that the
appropriation "rl.uuid lc for 800 pii,atcs.
and 10 more Ii the House had gone q
step lurticr ard eNtinguislcd the whole
mungrcl concern. it would have saved
million year to the Treasury. and ahatcd
"a public nuisance at the same time.
Although The law expressly limits the
rr H- Hlf il !. he Colonel Com
man Nu "Ng rsfl iucnds that Con-
grcs, allow ilr,,,ima. for 1900 privatcs
to pass" and 10 modc-tly" cncloscs addi-
tional estimates for 800 priyatcs," by way
of instructiug the Committee ON Appropria-
tons in their duties. lie also wants "a
larger appropriation this year to rcpnir
barracks" and estimates for building bar
racks and quarters at League Island An
nupois and Norfolk, being very much
shocked at "thc old hulks and sheds in
which the men are quartcrcd"
Altogether the Colonel exhibits very en-
tcrprising spirit in his demands upon Con-
grcs-, and, by way Of attracting sympathy
for them. he says: During the past sum
mcr several detachmcnts of the Marine
Corps were actively engaged in guarding
public and private property from mob vio-
lcnce.' 1t Is the fashion Of this professional
class 90 call the people who support them
a.
starvation wages or are forced to unite as
their employers do. for sclf-protcction.
The most touching appeal in this official
report is in behalf of what Is familiarity
known rs the Marine Band. On that branch
of the organization Col. MCCAwLEy is both
emphatic and patriotic. Here are his glow
ing words:
AN increase the hand the Marine Corps urgent
~ recommended rs well ~ placing upon proper loot
Ing regards CLASSES and pay
This band Is properly national band. beins used tor
an official purpose IN Washington
The Colonel might have strengthened his
argument by adding that this band WA, not
only used for all official purposes. but also
for private purposes without stint. The
music furnished for the shoddy balls, din
ncrs, receptions. and sorenadcs, during the
festive days Of Grantsm. was supplied from
the Marine Corps, and paid for out of the pub
lie Treasury. After ANDREW JOHNSON wis
returned to thcScnatc-hc who had served a.
President of the United States-his friends
in Washington proposed TO compliment him
with scrcnade. They made application
for the Marine Band. and SEcoR robson
rudcly refused permission for that object.
\ few nights later, however. the band shonc
in all It's splcndor at Boss SHEPHERD 5
rOut.
The Marine Corps is Il luxury TO be- dis
| pensed with in these hard times. The dash
ing young gentlemen, who are always on
| parade, whether at sta or ON shore, and
their commands, cost over six hundred
thousand dollars II year for pay alone ~
say nothing II the cost of maintenance,
| clothing, and the Ike. These are the figures
of Spiptor BECKs sOn-iu-law, who was ap-
| pointed paymastcr by Mr.. HAYES over the
| heads of forty or fifty seniors. and without
any quality TO recommend him but the fact
| Of that connection Mr.. BECK had de-
nouncrd the Fraud III his usual violent way,
with intense bitterness, and the Electoral
hill as IA base surrender. Yet no sooner was
the niquty consummatcd than he rushed
to Washington and secured this priz',
among the very first appointments made,
for his then prospective and now actual SON
n-law
II the Treasury is in condition to pay n
million every twelve months, which is the
interest on "a capital of twenty-five millions
Of four per cent bonds, for II toy like the
Marine Corps. then that money had better
be diverted To some practical use. II II is
not, then the toy ought to be given up.