New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-05-20
HEWITT,S ARMY hill.
SPEECHES UPON 1T BY Mr. HEWITT AND GENERAL
MCOOK-THE LATTER's ANALYSIS OF THE BILL.
nv zen AIH IRIRrNR.l

SPEECHES UPON IT BY NIX. HIWlll AND btNIsiNI
MCoOK-THE LATTEE's ANALYSIS OF THE BILL.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRTRUNE.l
WASHINGTON May 19-Thc debate upon the
Army Bill began in the House yesterday with
speech from Mr. Hewitt explaining and de-
Tending the provisions of the bill Mr..
Hewitt was followed by General McCook,
who opposed the contemplated reorganization
of the Army andpresented III striking form the prin-
cpal arguments aganstit, and who closed his speech
amidst loud and long continued applause. General
McCoo used during his remarks, digest OF the bill
by sections which shows more intellgcntly than
any previous publication of it, its exact effect upon
the Army. The following extracts from this digest
show the amount of the proposed reduction conten-
plated by each sectien of the bill.
Section / reduces the Army, before July 1873
from % coo 10 10000 enlisted men, not including 800
recruits that may be kept at recruiting stations etc.
and pprolriates money for ITS support
Section reduces the number Of cavalry regiments
from ten to SIX and infantry regiments from twenty
five TO fifteen or reduces the number of regiments 0Ory
now in service to twenysx. Considered in connection
with Sections A. - and % it win discharge from the
line of the Army ii coonels II observation-disclosures
majors us captains and 246 Grstcutenants. Should
majors from cavalry be assigned 10 the five post
majors in the line will he 7 Sections , and l5).
Section authorizes the transfer or discharge Of non
commissioned officers, musicians, etc
Section adds q second lieutenant 10 each company
of cavalry and fixes the maximum strength OF the com
sect on o. provides for the organization OF infantry
regiments composed OF three battalIons OF four con-
panics each, aud that untl Otherwise hu-
thorized by Congress emily two b,ttalons OF
each regiment saa ne ~ each rcgm "o
There being major to each regiment IL reduces
Inc present regmental organization FROM ten companies
to eight, makes reduction OF thirty comphhihcs
fifteen regiments a. Bow organized. $500, -
section adds second lieutenant 10 each company
of infantry and fixes the strength OF companies OF lhih
Try at5eNtlty NJ ar 30 oGccrs In tho Adm.
tanGenerals Department from seventeen TO hVe' ana
provides for the detail OF ten COMPANY ,r,o o.
The periods Of service Of the twelve officers OF thc Al
iutani-Genera Department TO he discharged ihere-
rom range from tOfOry years Seven onceTs
Of the department are made supcrnumeIaTy July l.
1873 and five on July l. 1879. The present Adu'aht
Section provides for The discharge OF i9ur officers
from the Department, and the detal
OF officers. not below the rank OF major for duty nj dvs
ion and department headquarters. THIS department Is
Act OF Congress, approved June 49, 1874. The period
Of service covered by the officers in this department
Section 8 reduces the Bureau OF Military
Justice by placing four majors on the super
undergoing reduction by casualties pursuant 70
service Of these officers from thirteen to seven
teen years
Department from nfyye to iorty-three ana provides
that vacancies hereafter in the grade OF major be mica
by appointment from captains In the line The services
OF the officers OF this department range from one 10
more than forty years
II provides mat wDeD fhDA OF
reduced under the provisions Of this act the reduction
Ell not apply 10 the present incumbents hs includes
tne Adlutant, PaymaseT, aud Judge Advocate Genern
Section 10 authorizes the President TO transfer OIL
GERS from the line and sta corps to the list Of super
line and the stan and the out of officers the
supernumerary list after January lst proxino.
Section 10 reduces the number OF majorgeneras from
8 10 !, by casualties.
Section IL reduces the number OF brgader generals
from O TO 3, by casualties.
Section Is reduces the number of aides TO the general
from to OF maor-general, from TO each and OF
brlgadier generals from TO each IL prohibits
the detail Of officers for duty the stat till after five
years service with regiment corps.
Section % repeals the act authorizing regimenta adj
tutants and quartermasers 10 be extra lieutenaDts
This makes reduction OF eighty in the number OF lieu
tenants ia the line OF the army
10 recapitulac The bill provides for the discharge