The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-25
Mr.. mcwitt's New Army Bill.

The House Appropriation Committee has
brought its arduous labors upon the annual
Army bill TO n Iitiiul conclusion. Starting
on programme Of doing away with many
more officers than the BURSsfDE bill, Il has
ended by doing away with mono at all.
Even its last years bill, timid and feeble as
IL was. proposed some reductions among the
enlisted men Of tho army, and considcra-
bic reduction in tho number Of officers. This
years bill makes appropriations fo the fun
number Of 2j,4JO enlisted mon. and ior about
200 officers, exclusive Of cadets aud of the
retired list, precisely Ms though no steps
ever had been taken, or over would be taken,
Tor rctrenching army expenditures.
But this Is not all Last year the Com
fnitteo proposed plan which aimed at
eventually reducing army appropriations
several millions u year. The army infla-
tionists had matters their own way at that
time under the promise that the BURNSIDE
Commission should report this winter
proper scheme Of reorganization and re-
trenchmcnt and hence the years appropri-
ntions for the support of the army were
fixed at the enormous sum Of S2j77s.ls
But this year MIR. llEwIrr's own committee
not only fails 10 call for the rctrenchment
Wtltlif NN Iff'lif Nflt lttl ~ ntllfNf, ildtl
been simply postponed to the present scs-
sion, but it actually has made appropria-
tions OF $40, 1880 for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1880, or nearly million dollars
more than even the army lnnationists were
satisfied with for the previous year. Now. it
Is known that tho House usually adde some
items TO the Appropriation Committees bill,
and that the Senate invariably adds a good
many still heavier ones. large part If
which it forces on tho House in com
promise, through the machinery Of con-
ference. Yet Mr.. HEWITT now starts the
cost Of army support at n million dollars
above the point to which last years Confer
ence Committee pushed IT,
Again, I'M the way OF new legislation, the
Appropriation bill makes this provision;
That each member Of n, mex, two eradunng classes
of the Military Academy graduation. may elect 90
receive the Il seven hundred aud my dollars
nnd mileage to his Hce OF residence and the accept
ancc OF tbs cross sum shall render him nclgihc 20 ap
pointmen the army until years after his gradua.
ton"
Here is a distinct addition to any sums
ever before paid out for the support uf the
army. Why should the United States pay
$3.50 for this purpose to young man whom
1t has educated. housed. clothed. fed. and
cared for during four years Section .SS9
OF the Revised Statutes prescribcs that the
cadet shall have, as his pay, $500 a year and
one ration n day. Lieut.. FARRow's book,
entitled West Point" says " The pay Of
cadet Is $40 per annum, and at gradua-
ton, each graduate has surplus in the
possession Of the Treasurer sufficient to
purchase his uniform and equipments"
After giving the cadet four years Of an
education and training that will unquestion-
ably help him, II he tries civil lite. 20 high
and lucrative positions in various scientific
callings, or in business, the Government.
which thus far has received nothing what
ever in return, Is supposed TO De- unable to
renouncc its right to n return without pay
ing $50 for the privilege Of renouncing :
Truly, this Is Of n piece with most Con-
gressonal schemes Of army reduction.
Again, the retired list Is now limited 10
400, and many are the officers waiting their
turn TO go upon it, and receive its three
fourths pay. Mr. HEvITr's new Army ill
removes this restriction of numbers, making
tho retired list unlimited. and coaXcs or
forces officers into this list. First. the list
is opened to any officer, on his own applica-
ton, who has been thirty years in service.
Next, any officer who has served forty years
as an officer, or who has reached the age Of
CT, shall be retired; but the President may
extend these limits to 6j years Of age In
any case where, in his judgment, the officer
shall possess peculiar fitness for his posi-
ton" Finally, provision is made that, as
the bill reads:
As soon as practicable. the Secretary Of War shall
cause reports to BE- made 20 him showing what onceri
Ilts ulttIH.
for the efficient performance Of military duty rs reason
Of any suflceut cause aud any such officer after be-.
ny duly notified by the secretary OF War shall apply
for permission u appear before rcunug board he shall
b. retired and In case OF such apr caon such officer
shall be retired continued in service according a. the
recommendation OF such refining board, II approved By
the President
Here, it will be seen, is an enormous anx-
iety to get officers upon the retired list, to
mako way for others-the tendency being to
raise the rank and pay Of all left in active
service. Now, coupled with an effective
reduction of the entire army system, in
both staff and line, undoubtedly a good plan
for decreasing the flow OF officers into the
army from West Point and from civil life
and good plan for increasing the flow of
veteran officers out Of the active army into
tho retired list would bring the active
forces moro rapidly down TO their prescribed
level. But no reorganization * yet proposed
which has any chance 81 becoming law
certainly the Burnside bill, as it stands,
has none. The failure Of that biz, indeed,
may even sot in motion the now checked
flow Of promotions, in which case the APP
preparation Committees measures could
not be praised FOR rotrcnchmcnt.
In short, the present contribution Of the
House Appropriation Committee to the
question ofarmy rctrnnchmcnt aud economy
IN military expenses is not credit able to its
authors.
High Time.
Harmony IL "a f,nd thfn,, Ia hovo IA a