The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-01-11
An Attempt at UsurpatiOn.
(From the Chicago Times.)


features, as far as evolved, COM
prise what may be termed the Burn
side element and the Sherman element
The former is the manufacturers phase
of the bill, and the latter, the hyper mill
tary. The one has for its motive the tax
ing from the government the right OF
manufacturing ordnance stores, and plac-
ing it in the hands of O ring of New Eng
land manufacturers. The other, or hyper
military phase proposes TO place the mill
tary above the civil power to an extent that
is calculated to alarm one who believes
that the military power should be subordl-
nate TO the civil.
With reference 10 the Burnside feature
of the bill, the Times has already often
spoken, aud has shown, as it believes, that
the clause iorbidAing the government to
manufacture ordnance stores is simply
gigantic and Ubiquitous JOB" in the IN
terest of an eastern arms association. This
conclusion is shown by the fact that the
government has decided upon a gun for
whose manufacture there are no establish
ments in the east; and, in consequence,
eastern concerns engaged in manufactur-
ing arms see themselves in danger OF los
ing large contracts. The government has
made an appropriation for the construction
of the new gun, all Of which would be
thrown away we're the bill to become a law
in its present shape.
With reference to the Sherman phase OF
the bill, there is not involve so much tn c
matter Of cost as of dangerous transfer
of power from one department to another.
That Sherman is at the bottom OF this
movement there can be no doubt, for the
hoN ha oh
precisely such as he has attempted
to secure in times past. IL Is fur
Their shown by his cordial Endorsement OF
the bill as reported, although in indorsing
it he has been compelled.to stultify himself
in an extreme degree In approving the
bill he, of course, approves the radical
changes proposed in the organization Of
the staff In doing this he emphatically
and most directly contradicts his own
record. In 1868, 10 his report to the sec
rotary of war, he compliments the present
staff organization, and takes the paiOs to
argue strongly against any change. 1t IS
not possible that within ten years his
OpluIAn has undergone a radical change
and that he now finds desirable what he
then proved impracticable and dangerous,
The only explanation OF his change Of front
He has probably said 10 Burnside; IF
you will aid me in elevatiDg the general
''Of the army above the president and sec
rotary of war, will indorse your job 10
''the interest of the eastern arms associa-
ton and to the parties who are respOn-
"sible for the proposed staff changes:
Aid me, and | will give my influence to
1.-THE new scheme, although il is not long
|
1T is entirely certain that only some pow
eriul motive concealed within the bill
would render Sherman willing 10 go be-
fore the country as guilty OF glazing in
excusabe Inconsistency.
What that motive is can be readily un-
derstood by those who are familiar with
Sherman's course since the war. In the
main, he has occupied himself in an en-
deavOr 70 render his Office superior to and
Independent OF, 10 many respects, the civil
power. In 1869, when Grant became
president, Sherman succeeded him, and
once issued an order directed the heads
OF all the staff bureaus to report direct &c
him 10 place of the secretary of war, as
had always before been the custom. Raw.
Inns, then secretary of war, within month
Tehukrd this insolent usurpation by issuing
the following order:
by direction Of the president the order Of tn,
secretary "a war, dated war department, March .
1862, hui published In general orders No ~ head
quarters OF the rmy, adiurant generals office. dat
ed March s. 1869 except 40 much as dire Is Gen.
Y Sh' rWau q assume command Il the army 81
tin Uu . states Is hereby resctnded.
"Al official business which by law or regulations
requires the action OF the president or secretary o
war VIII bc-ubniited by he chiefs of stat corps
departments. and bureaus 10 ne secretary Of lrdT
call orde and instructions relating 10 milhar,
ned byWf he yarf aib A
war viii DO Issued through the general Of the
army"
When Rawlins died, Sherman acted al
secretary of war, whereupon he reissued
his original order. When Belknap was
we'll seated, he revoked Sherman's order
whereupon Sherman became angry and
transferred bis headquarters to st. Louis
Thus defeated in his direct conflict. with
the cival power, he is aiming to secure q
victory by his manipulation of tho new
army bill. Says The Times of Philadel-
phia:
new army bill from sections seventy-eight TO one
hundred aud twenty-four will understand how in
law the subordination Of the civil TO the military
authority on all points raised by Sherman and in
deed, In many other most vital respects 1t pract
ically degrades the secretary OF war toa clerkshp
under tn general of the army, and. In some most
important instances places General Sherman above
the president OF the United States Section seven
~ MAE sweeps the whole Of the subordinate de-
partments II the war office from the civil secretary
and makes them chiefs of staff to the commanding
general OF the army, and su4h they shall report d.
rectly TO HIM, and act under his Immediate orders
III all matters pertaining to the command of the
army. This makes lawful all and more than was
u-uLted by General Sherman until he was o.errul-
ed by two civil secretaries with the approval OF
Grant, End its strips the civil eide Of the govern
ment OF all power in the administration OF the war
department"
in fine, this phase Of the bill reduces
the president, in many instances, to the
position Of q mere subordinate, aud pro-
ceets to erect 10 our republican system a
department unknown to the constitution
and which is certainly very hostile to the
spirit OF our institutions. Our system re.
cognzes no such independent department
as chat of q military character. It's intent
is to always, even in time of war, subordi-
nate the military to the civil power. The
attempt Of Sherman is a usurpation, whose
purpose is to create military power
which may, at any time, assume the char.
acter of dictatorship.
All these things should be given care
fui attention by congress. The army bill
Is an excellent thing, in the main, but it
includes two CT three carelully-coyered
schemes, which, if carried out will inhict
irrepsrable damage.