Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1885-10-23
Washington Letter.
From our Regular Correspondent.


cana of Washington social aud oil
cial life can hardly realize the impor
tance of tho recent order Of the Sec
retary of War. 1t in in substance
that all army officers who have boon
for four years on detached service
must return to their regiments. DO.
tached service is nominally some
light duty at Washington, in the
War Department. at Fortress Mon.
roe, or as acting aids 10 n score of
generals without commands IN timo
of peace. In other words. detached
duty is about tho ligh,est work. aud
most delightful play that porfumod
dogs (pups) Of war ever indulgod ia.
For years and years they have Io-
maincd here 10 Washington, tho nj
mired and petted Of the ladies' Of the
West End. the INDUCED TO iuin of
tailors, restauranters and washerwo
men. The trumpc, call OF tho Sec
retary of War has fallen on their
ears like the knell OF doom. To
change their base from Ponnsylvania
Avenue to New Mexico or Idaho
is like Punishment To Siberia. Hut
the wailing and consternation occa-
stoned by tho Secrotarys order Is
not confined TO tho club rooms.
These young gentlemen 40 long de
tached from legitimate military ser
vice have made strong attachments
elsewhere, and their departure for
the frontier will leave n void in the
social world Of Washington. The
drawing rooms and boudoirs of tie
West End will blend in grief with
the unpaid washerwoman over the
departure of these young officers oi
the army.
For while it was hoped that their
hitherto potent social and political
influence would avail ihom, and
cause the Secretary Of War 10 relax
his cruel order, at least in special
cases. Division and department
commanders argued that the Score.
tary Of War had signed tho order
without giving IL any personal con.
sideration, and that therefor. u s,m
pie request, carrying both official
and personal influence for individual
exceptions, would have the desired
effect. Laboripg under this impres.
sion Gen. Sheridan, Gen. Schofield
Gen. Pope and Gen. Howard all 70.
quested the Secretary OF War 10
make exceptions TO tho order in the
cases Of their personal aides. They
were mistaken in the premises Of
their argument. Secretary Endico,,
had been personally considering The
matter from the time he became Sec
retary Of War. and when the time
for issuing the order arrived he had
mastered all the details and was en-
tirely cognizant cf what i,s effect
would be.
Besides, the attention Of the Proc.
ident had been called TO the matter.
and it had met with his unqualified
approval. The protests and requests
were alike unavailing. for the Secre-
tary did not intend backing down
He has set his foot down. and yestsr-
day refused to make an exception In
every one OF the individual cases
brought TO his attention.
Al stated, the Secretary Of War
was fully aware OF the effect Of tho
order, and he know just where II
would strike, but was hrm In his
purpose. He evidently knew Of the
special duty abuse before he took his
seat in the Cabinet, and afterwards
his experience ss lawyer led him 10
make thorough investigation before
acting. He visited the hsadquarisrs
Of various divisions and departments.
saw the officers whom the order
would detach from staff duty, and
compared them with the officers Who
were always with their regiments
and could see at q glance the differ
ence between them. He saw that
staff duty too long continued had q
demoralizing effect In uniting OIL.
GERS for field duty and depri,ing
them Of all interest in their fegi.
ments. He held that the staif was
meant for the line, not the line for
the staff. and il tho limo was 10 suffer
for the sake OF making II pleasant
for the staff. the abuse should be
remedied. Hence the order and hts
firm intention 10 stick 10 H..
While tho Secreiary's order ID
heavily felt in military aud social
circles here. it must be approved by
the country n, large. aud by every
officer who has the instincts If a msu
and soldier. The favoritism thai
has kept 80 many social pets In sofl
places in tho East has had a demor.
alizing influence upon',ho army.
Dfs.