The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-10-20

A novel proposition to establish an off,
| GERS reserve list for the army has been intro
duced into Congress by Mr.. ONErLL Thislis
| is to consist Of ex-offlcers OF good standing.
and less than "a years old. who have resigned
during the last thirty years. They are to be
nominated by the President for the grades
which they held ut the time OF resigning. and
in their respective branches Of the service.
whether OF line or OF staff. Such reserve off,
GERS are to receive no nay. allowances or
prom oton. but are to have their names in the
Army Register. and may wear u uniform doug
duty only when called into service. at the
Presidents discretion. in time OF war, insur-
rection. or other emergency.
These officers would have the benefit OF be-
Ing recognized again as armv officers. and Of
receiving such consideration as may attach to
the service. That. apparently. would be the
most practical result Of the plan. 80 far as they
are concerned.
On the part OF the army authorities. one
objection might be the need Of looking
after very large body Of .ex-ofllcers.
whose connection with the service was sew
cred In one way or another during tho long
period OF thirty years. 1t is true that the bill
proposes to subject the reserve list. like re-
tired officers. to courts martial In case Of
charges brought against them: and as they
must be regularly nominated, their records
could be examined to see that they are all
right Still. this might throw some labor and
responsibility upon the War Department.
The offset to this objection is supposed to be
the ability to order these officers into active
service In time OF need. Yet practically tho
Government has usually had at command tho
services of such ex-officers as 1t desired.
This fact was remarkably illustrated at the
outbreak OF the civil war. when scores of
than in mol mi On nd Sur
MAN. offered their swords to the country. The
truth is that after . great war. like tho one
with Mexico or the civil conflict many enter
prising and able young officers leave the army
In quest OF the more alluring occupations OF
civil life. Some OF the finest and most promis-
ing officers OF the regular army took this course
after the close OF the civil war In 1865. and have
since been eminent in enterprises OF great
magnitude and responsibility. 1t is safe to
say that the country could at any time. in case
OF need. rely on their return to the colors. and
would secure the benefit Of the services of
such Of them as were not too old for active cam.
paigning. And 1t is hardly probable that any
great difference would result from their being
included in reserve list
Another objection which might be urged |
to the creation OF such list is that it would |
nomnally increase by a very large body the |
number Of officers connected with the army. |
This is point which has to be looked at. since |
in army legislation any real or even apparent |
excess in the number OF officers is apt to be |
dwelt upon to the disadvantage Of the mil |
itary establishment OF course tho purely |
nominal character OF the proposed reserve
would be apparent. but the names would be
borne on the Army Register. and might be
carefully counted I'D. and tho result made
much Of. in such case. However. II the bill
comes up for debate. we shall no doubt hear
the arguments in it's favor.