The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-04-24
UNCLE SANS SERVICE.
Hunting for Forty Army Re
cruits in Seattle.
HOW SOLDIERS ARE TREATED.
Their Pay and Perquisites-The Sort Of
Men wanted 70 Wear the
Uniform.

umbia street.
In December Lieutenant r. T. Yeatmsn came
up from Vancouver and opened . rendezvous
for two weeks. He was followed By Lieutenant
W. w. McCammon who stayed six weeks, and
then recommended that permanent render
yous be established here.
Lieutenant C. ii. Martin. with Sergeant
QLeary and Corporal Falk has been detailed for
eight weeks, and win keep the ONCE open until
June %
Lieutenant Martin said yesterday: 1--WE want
to get forty good men for the Fourteenth regi-
ment now stationed at Vancouver. You know
that OF late years there have been . good many
dese-tions from the army; and now the secre-
tary OF war Is trying an experiment to stop this
desertion. He wants to have each regiment
recruited from the region in which il Is sta
toned. For example. he wants to get men from
Puget sound for the Fourteenth. In this way
TIE men will Be near their friends. who can keep
track OF them whether they do well or Ill, and q
man could not desert and return to his former
home without his desertion being known. The
belief 10 that such q plan Is this will serve to
hold the men in check
ave are getting recruits for the Fourteenth
regiment only, but were a permanent office
opened here, as shall recommend, men could
enlist here Tor all branches of the service There
is now but one permanent recruiting Office on
the Coast, besides the regular stations, and that
Is San Francisco. An Office up here would do
well feel certain.
I'VE have been open only n day here, and yet
We have had a number OF applications, and from
good men, too-strong and intelligent.
Lieutenant Martin then showed an enlistment
circular, the following paragraphs of which
show the treatment and pay man will get in
the army and the sort OF men wanted:
Applicants for enlistment must be between the
ages OF IS and % years, unmarried, OF good char
acter and habits, able bodied and free from dis
M Icf<.
teiligentiy converse in English and fully under
stand orders and instructions given in that
language.
Applicants are required to satisfy the recruit
ing officer regarding age and character, and
should be prepared 10 furnish the necessary evil
dence minor can be enlisted only with the
pointed guardian, and when his physical devel-
opment is exceptionally good and presents
many characteristics of maturity.
For infantry and artillery the height must be
not less than feet inches, aud weight not less
than rs pounds and not more than I99 pounds.
For cavalry the height must not be less than 5
and weight not to exceed l65 pounds The max
tmum age for cavalry recruits upon original en-.
listment is fixed at 30 years
The term of service is five years. Under the
law soldier in his first enlistment after having
served one year, can purchase his discharge for
$l2o, with reduction of $ in the purchase price
three years service. when, If he has served hon.
estly and faithfully, he is entitled to furlough
tor three months with the privilege of discharge
at the expiration OF the furlough.
All soldiers receive from the government lin
addition to their pay1 rations, clothing bedding,
medicines and medical attendance. Canteens
are IN operation at most posts for supplying
soldiers. at moderate prices with such articles
as may be deemed necessary for their USE enter
tainment and comfort; also for affording facili-
ties for gymnaStic exercises and proper games
After the expenses of the canteen are met the
pronts are distributed among the troops for
their benefit.
&,
country library and reading room, in which is
kept good assortment of books, magazines aud
newspapers There are also post schools where
soidiers who 30 desire can acquire, free of cost,
The soldier can deposit his savings in sums
NOT NOT less than = with any army paymsster, and
the period of six months or longer, the COLDER
on his final discharge, will be paid interest ct
the rate OF per cent. per annum. These de-
posts are non-forfeitable except for desertion
"a man has . pretty good chance to save"
said Lieutenant Martin, "for absolutely all of
his necessary expenses are paid and he gets $l3
month in addition, of which he can easily lay
up So Then, too, he is allowed over 500
for clothing during the term of five
years Since in times of peace
the clothing does not wear out
rapidly, he can save from $50 to $50 out of this
500, so when he leaves the army, at the end of
i've years, he can have over $500 in hard cash
During the third year he gets 81 month extra;
during the fourth year, 81; and during the fifth
year, s..
"Then, too, good man is made a non-com-
missioned officer with increased pay, and the
brightest ones are recommended for promotion
into the regular line of officers Mechanics and
cooks often get chances for extra duty with
extra pay. At the time of discharge man il
supposed to be returned to his home, or the
place of enlistment, and he is allowed days
rations and days pay for every twenty miles
between his place of discharge and that point,
and he can save on that, for he gets more than
travelling expenses.
mo married man, nor man with Others de.
pendent upon him is accepted.
"But of this you can be sure-Uncle Sam treats
his soldiers WE'LL