The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-06-06
qUrekln Gin,s8
THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1873.
GENERAL SGEEIDlN,s HEAD
Ca8TEIGS.

GENERAL SEEE-EDtH;S HEAD
QUARTERS.
The Chicago-papers are greatly agiiated
over the proposition pending in COngrtss to
move the headquarters OF the Army OF the
Missouri froA Chicago to Fort Leaven-
worth, and some Of the arguments brought
to bear against the proposition are amusing
if not ridiculous, to those who are acquaint-
ed with the facts The Journal, Of Friday
evening, in q lengthy editorial upon the
subject, says:
1t is much plesssnter, Of course, for Lieut.
General Sheridan and his stat to be located
at Chicago than at Ieavenvorth, Jefferson
Barracks or Omaha Here they enjoy all the
benefits OF civilization and escape the discom-
forts of the camp. But 20 suppose that this is
the only or the main reason for the establish
ment Of the headquarters Of the Amy Of the
Missouri, as it IS inappropriately called, would
be a grea. mistake. We doubt II that consid-
Grafton had anything 10 do with the matter.
The writer who talks about "the discom-
forts OF camp life" in connection with Fort
Leayenworth, furnishes all the evidence
that is needed to show that he doesn't kno"
anything about il. Fort LeaTenworth Is
one of the most beautiful! and most elegant
places in the United States. The oilcers
quarters there are larger and better builG-
ings than any the Government rents Tor
that purpose in Chicago, and arc surrounded
bv more ample and beautiful grounds than
can be found onyrbere in Chicago. The
officers and their families living there enjoy
all advantages Of fresh air and outdoor
room 10 be had In a suburban residence,
aud are near enough to the city Of
Leavenworih to have, at the same time,
all the benefits TO be derived from
a CITY residence. The talk about the
& disconiorts Of camp life in connection
with such place as Fort Leavenworth, Is
all nonsense, and the idea that it is possible
for Chicago to furnish rs pleasant place
OF residence, Is, to any one acquainted with
the facts, simply ridiculous.
The Journal publishes 2 statement TO the
effect that the annual expenditures OF the
Government for the division OF the army
now having headquarters at Chicago cmount
II sixteen millions OF dollars, and after
stating the Importance Of having headquar-
tiers at the point where these supplies can
be purchased the cheapest, the journal says;
would entail an enormous extra expense
upon the Government 10 have these supplies
purchased and shipped from any other point
This city owes its commercial supremacy TO
the fact that IL can undersell all competitors,
and, through the sharp rivalry OF competing
lines of railway, secure lower freight rate.
II would be an egregious bIunder on the part
of Congress 10 forego the advantage OF SUCH a
large saving in army expenditures.
The force of the foregoing argument can
be better appreciated when it is remembered
that army supplies consist in the main OF
flour, corn, oats, hay, pork and beet, and
that there is no section Of the United States
where all of these articles are raised in
greater abundance, or are to be purchased
cheaper than, in Kansas-in the country,
Immediately adjacent 10 Fort Leavenworth,
and further that a very large proportion Of
the supplies now purchased in Chicago, are
raised in this State, and have TO be carried
five hundred miles by rail before they reach
Chicago. Hadn't the Journal better amend
its argument in this particular just 4 trifie?
1t will be hard to convince the disinterest-
ed reader that such articles as corn and
hogs cannot be purchased as cheapIy on the
ground where they are raised, as at point
five hundred miles distant, for there is 4
very general opinion among the people
that five hundred miles Of railroading has
a strong tendency TO increase rather than TO
reduce the cost OF products such As make
up the bulk of army supplies.
The plain truth ia, that the expenses Of
the army OF the Missouri would be at least
a million a year less at Fort Leavenworth
than AT Chicago. Here the Government
owns the very best of buildings, and great
abundance OF them, for barracks, for officers
quarters, Tor offices, and for every other
purpose necessary TO the business Of the
army, thus saving all the large sum now
annually paid cut in rents, and here sup
plies for the army can be purchased at much
lower prices than they can possibly be puT-
chased in Chicago.