Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-12-14

wAsarxe1ox, d. c., Dee. 3, 1880.
To the Editor Of the Journal.
1t is not be expected that the last session
Of so disappointed Congress as this has been
will be fruited with great ambitions, or very
prominent results, unless great exigencies
arise Therefore, if the session is a dull one
and your correspondents summary Of its pro-
ceedings is of similar nature, your readers
will more ready excuse.
In the assembled wisdom Of our Nation, ~
nov presented, there may be now and then
exhibitions of its former spirit. scintillations
of latent wit and brilliancy. and occasional
evidences of desire TO accomplish something
practical; but with defeated and discouraged
majority (no paradox and victorious. but
at present pow erless minority. and, withal, a
very short session, those who can best hor-
oscope the situation, anticipate but little of
interest to the general public.
Evidently there will be one advantage
there will not be that disposition to cut down
and slice of and to otherwise tinker the nee
essary appropriations for the Governments
feature eminently prominent during the last
two Congresses. This course is now seen to
have been niggardly and untimely one. and
which has materially aided in bringing the
democratic party into contempt and misfOr-
tune, without in any general manner benefit
ing the Government.
Two years ago. for instance, liberal appro-
priations for the erection Of necessary public
4 IL II 81 he
country. would have enabled the Govern
ment TO provide employment for thousands
Of UNEMPLOYED artizans and laborers, and
complete at one third the cost the structures.
Now. with good times, rise of labor prices
and material, the absolutely necessary work
must be completed only by much more liber-
al appropriations.
THE ELECTORAL COUNT.
Nearly the whole of the first week of the
session will be lost to legislation, owing to
the foolish persistency of the majority to re-
vive the twenty second joint rule and force
vote upon it, in the face of the fact that in
few months Congress fresh from the people
may take cognizance Of such important prin-
ciples.
Last year when in the judgment of this
majority. the prospects were highly favorable
was left in the hands of committee. there to
linger along for two or more sessions and
then to be brought up at tie last moment as a
partizaD movement and with partizan attach
ments Now, defeated, the scheme is to be
forced through as the best measure the dem
ocratic party can get, hoping that, in the flu
ture, as of late. they may he able to control
both Houses.
The representatives of the victorious party
propose to have hand in this matter and to
see to it that proper and just measure shall
be enacted. The 22nd joint rule was enact
ed during the times of reconstruction, when
a sort Of political chaos existed. 1t may
have been irregular and impolitic-probably
was. 1t is not the first error that mas been
made.
But because an erratic act has been once
passed, there is no justification for the re-en-
actment of it, when there is a full knowledge
of its Inconsistencies and failings.
RETIREMENT OF MILITARY OFFICERS
The proposed retirement of many officers
of high military rank has caused much ex-
element and comment here and elsewhere
particularly in army circles. As to the Off
GERS themselves most of them are loath to re-
tire. Like prominent singers or actors, they
hate to he informed that their abilities are on
the wane and that their part in life's active
drama is about performed. Yet the law Is
before them and they are aware of its provis-
ions. Their interiors, of course, cannot
much regret their retirement, as their chances
for advancement are enhanced.
There is one feature of this question which
has been brought out very prominently during
this late movement, namely the difference
in conditions between army service and civil
service. In the former are men who have
been educated at the public expense, provided
with money besides, given prominent and per-
manent places on graduation, promoted in
due course Of time and events, given all the
honors and distinction available, and finally
retired on princely or entirely adequate pay,
with the privilege, thereafter, of entering in
to any kind of business they may choose, and
perhaps q pension given to their families after
their death.
Those in civil service, on the contrary,
educate themselves, contribute their share to
the education and maintenance of the former.
themselves are liable to, and often do per-
form military service and generally, equally
laborious service in their branch of the SER
vice, are liable to all the changes of office or
administration, receive far less remuneration
in the aggregate, and when old and incapaci-
tated are thrown out upon the cold world to
tives, or to drag out q miserable existence as
best they may.
There seems to be a wrong somewhere:
and while the President, in his message.
(Which is undoubtedly good one gives civil
service such careful attention. how strange
that this important phase of it WAS over
looked. Many of the officers and employees
of the government have saved millions of
dollars to it by their care and discretion, and
have been laborious and faithful. even when
allowed comparatively small pittance.
Why, when they have spent the best part of
their lives in this work, Gf they have had
the good or bad fortune), should not they,
too, be retired with compensation?
have, in my experience. seen men grow
infirm and incapacitated and die in the SER
vice, and after their death have seen their
families begging pecuniary and other means
Of subsistence from other employees. Is
there not wrong done them? Or, did they
wrong themselves? However, the question
is open for discussion.
MY letter is already too long, and will
close by saving that, in the event that Gen.
eral Howard takes command at West Point,
many will be grafi6ed. in view Of his past
by many of those officers whose
services will soon end in retirement, and that
he will so regulate the affairs Of that institu-
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