Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-05

" J: ]: !
IL n
tAE"G fairly started which
may result in the aboli-
W~N ton Of full dress in the
IVA w army. There have been
ANT numerous apostles of
this reform--for 10 Is
almost universally re-
garded 40 reform-but the most energetic Of
these in recent times 10 Lieut.. Chas. Hine OF
the sixth o. s. infantry. He has written on the
subject to the Army and Nary Journal in such
manner o. to attract more than momentary
attention. Congress will very probably acton
National Guard rs in touch with the army on
all points the propositions advanced are locally
interesting.
frFEcTs OF TRADITION.
Tradition, that valuable but much abused
connecting link between the past and the
present" says Lieut.. Hine. ''tells US that many
decades ago the War Department rejected an
improved small arm because it could not be
handled under the tactics Of the period. We
OF generation OF more elastic drill regulations
| OF broader ideas and keener foresight. laugh
with becoming self-sa tisfaction at the mistakes
OF our predecessor. IL il not possible. however.
that while we stop to hold our sides we our
| selves lose step with the music Of progress2
Are we not clinging with too much tenderness
to old ideas and customsS For instance, has
not the fun dress uniform outliyed its useful-
ness? The ideas Of the 'pomp and circum-
stance OF war" has predominated in all ages
but Is 1t not in accordance with modern condi-
lions to have less pomp and more circum-
stance? Should We not leave the paint aud
feathers to the savages who originated them?
THE BLOUSE GOOD ENOUGH.
"One reason given for the retention Of full
dress is that il inculcates in the soldier a
greater pride in his profession Our improved
methods of administration are sadly at fault IL
With all the effort in this direction we cannot
interest the soldier without as Gen. Grant
said, the Aid OF full dress. Another reason adj
| vanced is to have q suitable dress for occasions
Of ceremony. L. not the blouse good enough
appearance, In this sense, is entirely matter
| oil education. II full dress were abolished we
would all soon think nothing prettier than
parade In blouses and leggings. Those who
have seen q brigade or even = smaller body of
troops turn out in this way know that the
spectacle is sufficiently imposing IL the other
| requirements are observed Still another
reason assigned is the necessity for fitting cos
tune for social occasions-notably the Presi-
dentsreception. To those officers whose appear
ance In uniform is confined to such occasions,
TINS argument may carry conviction. but is the
| reasoning correct? Can any uniform be more
fitting to wear in the presence Of the chief
magistrate than one neat in appearance and
suitable for instant field use in support OF that
chief magistrate? Should not soldier be SO
clad as to be able to 60 from thD ball room to
the field, II need be, without. like Buffalo Bill
in the recent Sioux campaign, riding all night
| In dress suit? In the early history Of our
government Benjamin Franklin by the very
simplicity Of his attire won admiration at the
most magnificent court Of Europe. Would it
not be more American IL the army OF this prac-
ticai nation adhered to the simplicity Of one so
distinguished among its founders?
THE DRESS COAT UysoLprERIY
THE blouse IL . neat, trim, practical, COM
| Portable garment, sufficiently plain for field
uses. sufficiently dressy for all social functions
The dress coat is an expensive. heavy, unoom-
Portable and unsoldierly habiliment entirely
unsuitable for the field or for any practical
| duty. The blouse can be worn with an over
coat, Il suitable for any season Of the year and
can be worn at all times The dress coat can
| not be comfortably worn with an overcoat, is
| restricted for outdoor wear TO the warm season
and is not worn on night duty. The blouse
| and forage cap can be packed in Q valise. The
dress coat, dress belt, knots, helmet and the
| other Inconvenience Of full dress require a
| trunk OF effeminate dimensions Here comes
| In an important question. 1t is true that in
war We may abandon our full dress, but con-
slderlng the requirements Of q modern firing
line, should we not teach our men in time OF
peace that any extra facilities for transports-
ton must be utilized for ammunition rather
than for toggery9 The military profession re-
CURES quicker movement, both of in
dividuals and masses, than any other. Yet
the theatrical alone excepted, no other has so
| much dnery to move. West Point is the per-
| manent station Of the corps OF cadets, and the
cadet dress coat could be retained without in
convenience. Worn with the forage cap il
would not be out Of place with the blouses and
forage caps which the instructors would be
compelled to wear should full dress ever be
| abolished in the army.
COST OF DRESS SUITS
THE report Of the qusrtsrmaster general
| shows, BY little calculation, that the cost Of
dress Helmets, dress coats, &C., issued to the
enlisted men of the army during the last fiscal
year WAS. In round numbers, S56, 600. A few
| thousand more could probably be added for
the cost OF work involved by the elaborate sys-
tenn OF regulations and rulings governing the
subject Of full dress. This s56, 900 does not in
clude the full dress Of officers, which costs
from $l0O TO ESQ per man, but not per annum,
| for with many officers the fogies' come faster
than the dress coats. II full dress were abol-
| ished each young lieutenant graduating from
West Point would be saved about Sl25 His
equipment fund and savings could be made to
pay for his outfit, and he would not, as at
present, be forced BY the government to con-
| tract the pernicious habit Of debt at the very
outset OF his professional career. II full dress
| we're abolished S56. 600 could be saved. II is
somewhat surprising that the economists in
Soh8fccc AaSo AOt 1crcbolOte mkue y ptfmH-
nent proviso to this effect in the appropriation
| bills. With even this small saving we might
urge with more effect some Of the much needed
army legislation. For experience shows that
We cannot hope to get all we ask for. To make
gains in one direction We must make conces-
sions in another. In q republic there is always
| Jealousy Of appropristing large sums for
standing army. We should not, therefore, re-
tain unnecessarily any features tina. lay MS
open to assault
MANY officers wear and require full dress on
great number Of occasions. How few really
enjoy it. Most of them do so Just as they at
tend reveille, not because they like it. but be-
cause they regard the requirements Of the
spirit Is well as the letter OF existing reRula-
tons. With others full dress il q part Of their
military religion, and they will oppose any
change. Let them find food for reflection in
Owen Mersdith's lines:
"whsrefors ssrve whom the rods themselves yisld IT
Thsy and thsir altar pass By With the Pes.
BIG VICTORY.
What great victory was that In the House
OF Representatives on Thursday Only q few
people among the many Thousands Who are in
tsrSsted in the District National Guard had any
idea Of the fight which was made BY so-calIed
economists on the appropriation for the main
tsnance OF the local brigade. But the struggle
was not Q thing of Thursdav alone: IL COM