The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-13
ARMY REORGANIZATION.
Fatal Objections TO the burnside BnI-A New
Bin Under Confederation.

WASHINGTON, Jan. ~. - Representative
Atkins. Of Tennessee. with tho counsel and
suggestive cooperation OF some OF the abcst
officers OF tho army. has prepared n bill as
substitute for tho Burnside army bill.
which although It has the same general OBJ
jcct as the Burnside bill differs from tho latter
in its methods and details Its principal pro-
visions arc as follows:
The army il to be reduced to the desired
strength. not by summary dismissas or en-
forced retiremcnts. but by tho slower operation
Of natural laws. Vacancies croated by death.
casualties. and designations arc to be left un-
filed regiments are to be consolidated us their
effective strength decreases. and tho whole
army. line and staff alike. allowed to gradually
shrink to tho desired numerical limits
The retired list. instead Of being restricted
AS now-to 400. Ia to b. made as largo
rs tho necessities Of the service may require.
and all officers, without exception. are 10 he
placed on that list as fast rs they become in
capncitatcd for active duty or reach the age Of
G2 years; In the mean time. the, supply Of now
officers from West Point is To be cut OIL. The
bill provides that the members Of the next two
cilasses graduating from the academy shall.
completion Of tn sir studies and be permitted to
return To their homes, subject TO recall at tho
expiration OF two years II their services are re-
The provisions Of the bill with regard to tho
reduction OF the number OF regiments In tho
uIUlN NIf sllullhT 10 uluHe OF Tue BurnSldo Dill.
The army. however. is placed under the SUI
prone control oi the Secretary OF War. subject
only the higher authority OF the President ms
COmmander-in-Chief Tho power OF the Gen
eral Qf the Army, instead Of being increased. MS
by the Burnside hill. i strictly limited to
it's present bounds. Tho bill provides
TEN Of regimental organization. and makes
a change in, the present rule Of promo
ton as regards first and second lieutenants.
Lieutenants can now be- advanced only in the
regiments 10 which they are attached while
captains and majors may be promoted t. higher
ranks I'm other regiments belonging to the same
arm OF the service. This difference the bill
proposes 10 abolish by giving lieutcnants tho
same eligibility to promotion in other rrgi-
ments that the higher officers enjoy The gem
eral features VI the proposed rrorgan izntion Of
the stan departments are similar to those at-
tlchcd to the Army Appropriation bill by the
House last session and subsequently aban-
doned
The intcrchangeability Of limo and staff on
Gers, which j. a much criticised feature of the
burnside bill. il not in "udcd IN this substitute.
Other changes. Ot greater or l"ss importance.
ARE made ia the details OF army orgHui izatiOn,
but thu above the salient features Of the pro-
posed law IL l. under consideration 10y the
Subcommittee on the Army Appropriation
Bill and . is believed that Tho latter will recon-
mend to the full committee the adoption Of Mt
least It's mora important provisions. II. how
ever Il should not bee In 'orpQratnd in that bi J. .
u will shortly BE- introduced either 10y Mr.
Atkins or Mr.. Hewitt. on lis owa merits. as a
substitute for the bill OF Gems. Burnside and
Banning.