The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-12-29
Ghe g ai1g Argns.
ROCK ISLAND. rrrYuor.
Retiring Gen. Grant,
N. Y. Sun.

The latest of the schemes for doing
something with Gen Grant, bids fair to
tali. IKE others that have gone before il.
Mr. .meCook 9 joint resolution to place him
on the retired list of sthe army, with the
rank and the full pay of General. does NOT
mud favor with the committee that has it
IN charge. and is likely to be negatively
reported. or not reported at all.
ten Grant is apparently becoming a
sort OF elephant on the hands of bis friends
and the public. The last year has been
largely taken up with projects for the put
ting him somewhere. but they have all
come to naught. He Q been talked of
for third term as President; for the
Craftsmanship of the Panama Canal and
the Nicaragua Canal: for the Presidency
of score of mining and railroad compan-
les; for the Senatorship OF New York and
OF Pennsylvsnia; for Captain Generally; ;
for pension; and for popular oldest ex~
Presidents fund. So far these schemes
have all come to nothing. Grant still up
shelve him on the retired liz. begin to
fear athat even this device will prove
Intellectual.
Of course Gen McCook' plan for doing
| something with Grant is much lees objeo
| tionable than Hayes. Calling for new
grade 10 the army, with tho odious name
Of Captain General affixed to it, was
monstrous defiance of public opinion, as
we'll as contemplated violation of the
Constitution, which affords the comforting
by Congress the title of nobility. But
Gen. McCook's plan is itself weighted
with grave objections. Why should the
annual army budget be loaded with a
special salary for Gen. Grant? Why
oh ~ ka d. he
receptical OF pensioners appointed to it
from civil life? Why should he receive
full pay. when the law allows retired Of
fcers only three-fourths pay? Why
should the army regulations regarding the
requisites for retirement be altered IN his
favor? He is pot at the specified age
when retirement can be ordered or sought
under the statutes. He has received no
wounds and is no, by disease
acquired in the line of military duty. Ii
Gen, sGrant's friends want sol
give him pension why not
try 10 prepare the legislation for
giving him one directly? This endeaVor
toiput on tho army retired list is Of piece
withi all the other clumsy efforts to get
some kind of military rank and salary for
him, instead of resor;ing frank Y to char
ity foundation. What is Grant TO be re-
active list of the army
But deeper than the objections to form
are the objections to substance. We
want DO precedent of creating avowsd
sinecures This is not in accord with the
spirit of the American institutions. If the
object be only, as Gen. McCook's resolu-
ton says it is, "a recognition Of his eminent
services those services OF Gen, Grant, il,
must be answered, have long ago been
fully recognized He has had a military
grade created especially for him, higher
than any other American soldier before
him ever enjoyed; higher than Washing
toms. He has been President eight years,
the longest term cur American custom
pillows What more recognition of his
services can be given2 Certainly none
can be afforded that breaks down laws,
DISCREPANCIES army reeultions. and creates
perilous precedents.