The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-08

watch and suppress. large stan is an
the muster rolls the number OF soldiers that are 70
be clothed, housed, fed and armed but must depend
on the duty.to be performed in places thousands OK
soldiers in the city OF New York than company Oh
nifty men in the mountains OF Idaho and Montana OF
the arid plains of Arizona And yet the provisions
Of the bill have been framed this absurd principle
which no business man would tolerate in business
that did not extend beyond one OF our counties.
But the bill goes further than this, il contra
vention of centurys experience OF departments ana
% It's S mus he be.
partment to fifteen officers speak advisedly in say
ing that this department is the most important OF
any to the country In every country on the face OF
the earth the improvement in heavy cannon, gum
powder, projectiles and all war material stands
foremost among the instrumentaties of national
power and defence Ships of war; fortihcations. the
defence OF frontiers of roadsteads and harbors-al
wait upon the daily developments of great guns.
single stride in advance by great Power Is in
stanty followed by corresponding effort on the part
or other Powers TO meet 1t. The whole system or en-
cheering is obliged to wait patiently on the next
move of ordnance experience. In our own country
and speak from personal observation OF what is be-
ing effected at the ordnance proving ground at sandy
Hook-the Ordnance Department has progressed with
q rapidity and success entirely unexpected on account
Of the very small appropriations given by Congress
lshed annually by the Chief of Ordnance OF the army
exhibit degree OF talent, industry and research
officers known, and other officers well known in mill
tary circles abroad for proficiency in this field OF re-
search have generously praised their labors and
success. This bill at one fell swoop destroys this
great department and brings it to condition of in
efficiency to which it declined 1882, after
eleven years trial of this so-called novel system OF
details.
FUNCTIONS OF THE ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT..
There to be extraordinary degree of
ignorance in the public mind in regard to the
functions and duties of the Ordnance Department.
Even members of the Burnside Commission seem TO
think. and act the belief that it organized for
the mere supply Of our army. 1t does not appear
s DO De tony to 100 in sn ali ~a the
Ordnance Department would be as necessary to
the country as it is What are its duties In .
word, they are to prepare the country for war;
nothing less. Our forts, however perfect and COM
plete they may be- inert masses that intended
protection to the great guns which the Ordnance
Department has to design and provide. And does
any suppose that great ordnance, with its car
riages and powder and shot and implements, &c,
be provided at moments notice. at the click OF the
telegraph the telephone whisper, when the tocsin
OF war has sounded its alarm Can such arma-
ment be purchased in our markets we buy food
and clothing for soldiers Is it not known that
the preparation of such material requires years
of labor and millions of money? And the very
men who for years have been educating themselves
from the small beginnings and experience of heuten
ants to grapple with the thousand and one difficult
ties, scientific and practical. that environ that
specially in the profession to be lost to the
country by the provision of this bill The young
lieutenant enter the Ordnance Department by
merit alone through the same ordeal OF rigid COM
petitive examination. No drones admitted or
can enter through personal influence, and at every
step captain, major, lieutenant colonel and colonel
the laws on our statute books enforce this severe
mental examination. 1t is scientific corps
none more so-demanding the entire time and
devotion of its officers. 1t is not for the
army alone, but tor the whole country, and
deserves the fostering Of Congress Destroy its
efficiency this bill does. and within Ave years the
people will demand its restoration, they did in
1882 after long trial of this very scheme. do not
believe that Congress will approve of the section.
have confidence in the Judgment Of the men OF both
parties in Congress- whose interest in national affairs
will induce them to reflect on the consequences that
will surely follow the enasculation of successful
system of staff duties performed by SO perfect an