The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-07
The New Army Bill.

To-day the new Army bill. which passed
the House on Saturday by vote OF l4s TO
l22 will reach the Senate. The present Is
therefore favorable moment for examin-
ing the measure as n whole, especially since
public attention has hitherto been so cen-
tired on single semi-poltical section as to
leave almost unnotccd all the rest
As it stands. this bill contains nine Sec
tions. The first embraces the supplies
proper; these are substantially those agreed
TO by the conference committee OF the last
Congress. The bill appropriates, in round
numbers, about s26 100000. IT leaves the
army in strength and organization as now;
1t abolishes allowances for servants quar-
tiers, but raises the communication for officers
quarters from SO to sl2 per room per
month; ii contains Gen. BUTLER's railroad
telegraph clause, as agreed TO by the con-
ference committee Of the Forty-iifth Con-
gress.
The second section provides for the codih-
:ation and issue Of a new edition Of the army
regulations. The third section gives the
officer detailed as examiner Of State claims,
in Mr.. MCCRARY's Office, the pay and emolu-
meuts Of grade higher than the one he
actually holds. The fourth section provides
for consolidating the Spanish and French
professorships at West Point, under the re-
naming incumbent, on n vacancy In either.
The fifth section offers TO each member Of
the next two graduating classes at the Mill
tary Academy, $3.50 and mileage to his
home in lieu Of eligibility to appointment
in the army for period OF two years after
graduation. We may explain that this pro-
t. f...s 4
because all subsequent ones will have en-
tered the Academy notified by law, passed
prior 10 their entrance, that they were en-
titled TO appointment, not, as formerly, by
the fact OF graduation, but only in case OF
vacancies permitting it without increase in
the authorized number Of officers.
These five sections passed the Forty-lfth
Congress with little debate or hesitation,
and the present House with mono. The
struggle occurred on the next or sixth sec
ton, which strikes from existing army func-
lions the ono OF keeping the peace at the
polls All the artiul amendments and adj
dcndn proposed for this simple act Of cfac-
ing few dlsgraceiu and dangerous words
were voted down. and the section stands as
passed by the last and reported to the pres
The seventh section authorizes tho detail
81 an officer not above the rank of captain
to superintend certain Indian education.
The eighth repeats the existing law rcquir-
ing military headquarters to be in Govern
nent buildings. These two sections passed
without question, having been approved in
the previous Congress.
The ninth and last Is conglomerate see
ton, Of much Importance. 1t prohibits pro-
motions, until otherwise provided, above the
rank of captain, except in the Engineer
Corps, and except in the ease Of captains
who have served twenty years in the army;
1t credits all officers, in army on navy, with
then actual time Of service, In computing
pay; it prohibits the transfer If any officer
below the rank Of major to the retired list,
except upon the report of board that he is
un!it for active service; it gives the highest
rank lac has ever held, exclusive Of Lrcyct
rank, TO any officer hereafter retired byrca.
son ~ wounds.
We Should be sorry to regard this first
Army Appropriation bill cssaycd by the
Fnrty-sixth Congress, ne its ideal If military
legislation. There are several reasons why
comnlcte criticism should hot 30 passed