Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-01-15
lyr. EsCyNiItss Army bsiLl.
A GRADUAL. REDUCTION OF TWENTY FER CE,
~ TIE PRESENT NUMBER OF OFFICERS.

A GRADUAL. REDUCTION OF TWENTY FER CENT
~ TIE PRESENT NUMBER OF OFFICERS.
The army bill proposed by Mr.. Hewitt. and
enGorS ed by the House committee on appropria-
tons provides that there shall be no appoint
ment or promotion to any grade of general Off
Ger or 10 any grade of commissioned officer OF
any corps. department or arm OF the army until
the number OF officers in such grade shall De
reduced as follows: The general 0fhcero ala
consist Of one major genera ana olN DtigauieF
generals. The number OF officers IN the per-
Inanent organization OF the a0jutant general )
department is proSpectiveiy reduced from SeV-
enteen TO thirteen the reductions oelng one
colonel one lieutenant colonel and Two MAJORS
The reductions on the other stan departments
are 10 be as follows: Inspector generatS, three
col0nes and one lieutenant colonel: bureau of
military Justice, four ma j0rS; IuarterlnaSter 5,
Cne colonel, two lieutenant cOlonelS, two ma
jorS and six captains: subsistence department.
two ma orS and two captains: medical corps,
two coOneIS. four lieutenant cOf0neS, ten
majors fifteen captains and ten first lieuten-
ants; ordnance corps. .one colonel, Two ma
orS. four captains and four first lfeutenantS.
In order to limit the supply OF new officers from
the West Point Military academy, 1t is pro-
yided that each member of the next Two gradu-
ating classes shall be at liberty. If he 50 elect,
upon the completion OF his studies to reeeiVe
$500 and mileage 10 his place OF residence, with
permission TO remain there two years: subject,
however, at the expiration OF that time. 10 re-
call by the President In case his services are re-
Quired. The new measure next prov ldeS tl3t
in each regiment Of artillery, cavalry and in
fantry. there shall be tie same number and
grades OF officers as are now provided by law,
but the number OF regiments shall be reduced,
the artillery TO four, the cavalry 10 eight, and
the infantry TO twenty. ard the President shall
have power at any time hereafter TO reduce the
number OF companies in each regiment OF in
fantry TO eight, and TO distribute these cOmpl-
MES into two battaliOnS Of fOurc0mpane5 each,
and 10 assign or appoint major 10 each bat
talon, and may assign or appoint an additional
first lieutenant to each OF said companies Ia
order to bring about the reductions above indi-
Gated il is proposed 10 repeal the existing Ii mi
tGtion Ofthe number 0f officers that may at any
one time be upon the retired list. and 10 provide
that every officer who has been thirty years
in service may upon his own application be
placed upon the retired list, and on Or before
the tlrSt day OF January. 1850. every officer
who shall have rendered forty years ser
vice as an officer. Or vino shall be siXty-two
years OF age. shall be retired, but the President
may extend the limit Of age to SiXty-tiye years
in any case wherein his Judgment the officer
shall possess peculiar fitness for his position.
And as soon us practicable the Secretary OF War
shan cause reports to be made 10 him showing
what officers may IN the opinion OF their SupC-
11or officers. be unit for the performance OF mil
ltary duty, By reason OF any sufficient cause
and il any such officer after being duly notified
by the secretary OF War, shall not apply for
permission to appear before retiring board, he
shah be retired. and in case Of such application
such officer shall be retired or continued In ser
vice according to The recommendation OF such
retired board. ii approved by the President.
Officers retired by reason Of wounds received in
action are TO be retired upon the highest rank.
exclusive or bleVet rank actually held by them
in the regular OF volunteer service before retire
ment.
The prospective reductions OF the number OF
o11cers are as follows: Cavalry St, artillery 56.
infantry iI5-t0tal line 81. In various staff de-
paTtments l04. Total reductions 421 The gen
eIal principle adopted by Mr.. Hewitt and hD
col!eagueS in the preparation OF this bill was 10
make reduction OF about ~ per cent. in the
number OF officers, both line and staff. The
maximum Of 25,0oo for the rank and lile is lef:
UNCHANGED.