The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-11
LIVE WASHING TON TOPICS.
Gen. BreckinrIdge's Answer to Critics mi
on the Morals OF the Army.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 1O.-The criticisms passed
on the morals OF the army by the United
Christian Comm ission have received heir first
direct answer from Gen. J. c. Breckenridge.
Inspector General Of the army. Inhis annual
report Gen. BreckinridCe cites the allegations
in full and then gives his opinion OF them. In
BRIEF the crti- cisms of the Commission are
that the army is not favorable to the mainte-
nance OF good character; that gambling Is not
prohibited either by law or regulations: that
the post canteens prepare the way to indul-
gence in drinking habits: that unnecessary
duties are required on Sunday. and that the
religious teaching provided is inadequate.
"A body composed OF representatives OF
various churches appointed for the purpose
OF studying and promoting the moral and re-
ligious needs OF the regular army and navy"
says Gen. Breckenridge. have rendered re-
port during the year. which has been adopted
BY at least one Christian body and perhaps
others; in which some rather unkind and I'M
just charges are made against the army.
Doubtless the unkindness was unintentional
and caused by lack Of correct information
acquainted with the status and regulations Of
the army is. OF course. unnecessary. but as
it may bs we'll to Invite attent on to the lava
and regulations on the subject.
This he, proceeds, to do in detail. Continu-
ing. Gen. Breckinridge says. with reference to
the allegation Of lack Of religious Instruction.
that II the whole body OF army chaplains agree
Se He
commendation is found In this Christian Com
missions report SIN all know that the army
be sald Of the church, In It's own way it
does its very bestf'
The President has determined not to ap-
point civilians to fill vacancies in the line Of
the army hereafter. All vacancies left over
after the West Point graduates are commits
stoned are to be given to the enlisted men.
june leaving still six vacancies. which ordi-
narily. would have gone to young men from
since the last class was commissioned in July
all OF which will remain for the class next
year. Secretary Lamont has received u
large number OF requests from civilians
deter minatiqnn wIl prevent any q them being j
In the army naturally belong to the West
Point cadets and the men in the rank who
show that they ,have the making Of good
yearly from tho enlisted force. the President
and Secretary believes. will stimulate m in
commissioned men; and will result in Erospr-
ing better material for the army. Action "
congress last session Hl!oEed apnointmens b to
non-com missioned men. Before II was I'M
tied to the non-eommissioned officers.
The President has granted a pardon to Clar-
ence H. Harris formerly cashier OF the Com
m ercal National Bank OF DUBUQUE. Ia. con-
vlcted April IL. 1893. OF violating the United
States banking laws. and sentence suspended.
Harris made false eertiticatl2tnt; but 1t was
CATION. on the word of another bank official
that the matter was correct On pardoninR
do not Interfere. as rule. with convlc-
lions upon which no sentenee has been pro-
hnR fH olrht not to So @
ished, the indictment had better be abandoned
by them. instead Of bringing about convi"-
Iuost for pardon. In this case. however. the
request for clemHncy both from the judicial
tr9m Cees mre SO strong
and and persuasive that yieid to them
In refusing executive c'emency to Dennis =.
Boston Post ONCE. President Cleveland en-
dorsed on the papers: :" I cannot see In the
this pardon as against the usefulness Of tie ch-
ing the lesson that those who criinina'ly abuse
their trust in "cial y lace and rob the Coy
eminent cannot expect executive clomency."
Representative Hall OF Missouri. a memb er
OF tho Com mi.tee on Banking and Currency.
presented to the Committee on Ways and
Means this morning his plan for an income
tax imposed in other countries. and quoted Mt
length from various writer's on the subject to
meet directions which mad been raised against
lie said that the revenues OF all individuals
rose either from rents. profits. or wages and
that IMPROVEMENT charge must be laid uron
these; His scheme Incl uded sliding rate OF
taxation. varying with the necessities o. the
Government.
The British Ambassador and Lady Paunce-
Tote nave inaugurated the diplomatic social
season by entertaining at dinner the German
Am assador, the Minister'S Of. Colombia. Bel.
GUM, Portugal. and Denmark; Mrs. Hobson.
Is slat M:s Niss Gswynns Miss THtten Miss
tAlraires baron kstteIer ,Mr. Henry White.
and tho Hon. Alan tombstone.
The President made the following appoint
ments to-day:
To be Registers OF Land OGces-PrAnk NJ HopkIrs
At Aberdeen, p.i Frank Y; Walls. at Tucson Ariz !
To be Receivers OF Public Moneys-Frank NJ Broone
at Alliance keD Joseph Q. Haand at CLAYTON n "
ChaTes ID Rogers OF sitk q to be Clerk Of lie uEtrct
Court for the district OF Alaska
A Postmaster Charged with Robhing the
Mall.
CHEYENNE. Wy. Nov. l0.-Postmaster William
Mast who Ia charged with embezzling pack
age containing $3.50 while in transit from the
Postmaster at RooksDrings, Wy. TO the As