New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-27
ARMY NOTES OF INTEREST.

In the report OF the Judge-Advocate-General OF
the Army for 1895. sent 60 the War Department
few days ago. data given showing the number
of courts martial compared with previous years,
amounting in the cases Of general courts-martial-
trials for serious charges-to decrease OF nearly
per cent from that Of 1894: and in minor cases or
summary courts-martial. decrease of nearly Is
there is falling off Of 26s. as compared with 1894.
This does not prove that there has been less
number Of actual desertions. but II is believed that
a iarger number of deserters have escaped capture
than heretofore. owing to the reduction OF the re-
ward for their apprehension from $50 TO SO
Walls go up Congress year after year asking
that something be done to stimulate promotion
among officers Congress has not yet been able to
solve the problem satisfactorily to that body. nor to
see any remedy beyond war or epidemic; but the
Federal legislators assume that they have no
authority to make vacancies in the higher grades
by either OF these methods. No one VIII deny that
officers have had good and sufficient reason TO pray
for something TO turn up to maxi vaGsne, res
colonels especially II reference Is made to the Army
George p Rore l1' of the Infantry He served dur
ing the first two years of the Civil War In New
pointed as cadet at West Point. He graduated
in October, 1856 was second lieutenant for twelve
years. and a first lieutenant for thirteen years
before he got his commission captain. He is now
about $50 in the inea list for promotions in other
posed OF before he get his promotion TO major.
and he IS now nearly f1ty-two years old.
The cavalry officers are suffering fully much
the infantry officers in the matter of promotion
An instance of this corps may be cited In Captain
r w Kingsbury, who graduated from West
Point in June 1870 and was second lieutenant ten
years and a first lieutenant twelve years before he
reached a captaincy. He stands between 90 and 100
the lineal list for promotion. From the artillery
Captain Constantine Chase may be selected lie
chusetts Artillery in September, 1853 and was trans
ferred 70 the regular service May H. iS" ia W 20
"A
first lieutenant twenty-three years before he
was promoted TO a captaincy the same rank that he
holds to-day and the rank that he held in the
volunteer service at the close of the war ana Whch
he gained by gallant and mertorious service dur
and is now forty-eght.
Those whose minds have been wrought up to
high pitch in the last two weeks over the Henry
Whitsde change of station have learned by the
sequel what is believed not at first intended
that Lieutena mt Colonies Guy V. Henry and Samuel
NJ. Whtside to change places In their regi-
ments. Jefferson Barracks is post under the
supervision of the Sd Cavalry and as Culonei
Arson Mills was not available to relieve lheuteIaht-
Colonel Whitside of the command because OF his
detail on the Boundary Commissions another had 70
found Lieutenant Colonel whistles iflenuS
are the opinion that Secretary Lamont or General
Sohofeld wanted to discontinue his command Tor
Schohelds aforementioned so arranged the mater
by transfer. and ordered Colonel Whistle TO me me
lieves the situation of having two officers OF the
same h b rank at 'se o@er posi- of ' resen aached
TO another military depar , made his
criticism OF the War Department: I'm M, opinion
the War Department could have prevented all this
controversy If 1t had issued orders TO Colonel WHIT
side and myself simply TO change stations
The court-martial has begun the trial Of Ileuten-
ant s. S Pague. Of the 18th Infantry. for his
recent attack on Colonel Crofton with a revolver
Lieutenant Pague has been believed by some OF his
associates for long time to be mentally IRE
spons BILE The 18th will have record for affairs
i,4,,1 ,,n1.G
Nancy Hedberg shooting which occurred oniy TWO
or three years ago was one Of the uniortunatc
scandals of the Army, and both officers belonged 10
the 18th.
The proposition made several weeks ago TO con-
vert Governors Island into big infantry station
will probably be abandoned It is believed. although
there is stl much anxiety that Secretary Lamont
should express an opinion the matter 1t IS
the opinion of his chief military adviser, General
Miles. and the latter is opposed TO the ldea OF re-
moving the headquarters Of the department OF me
East to New-NOrk city, ana Otherwise CHANGING
the conditions Governors Island. to make II big
infantry post He regards Governors Island as a
valuable inner defence and necessary for the pro-
lection of New York from an enemy: and SAYS that
II is contracted permit of extended dIis ana
field exercises such as the infantry would De DC,
casOnaly put through to prepare them Tor actual
service He also thinks that there are other places
near New-York that could be well employed Tor
large bodies Of infantry.
The hearing on the appeal from the decision OF
Judge Bradley. in the case OF Major George A
Armes. will take place December B. 1t having
been placed on the general calendar. This disposes
Of the report that the TO be dropped by the
War Department. 1t is also reported that as soon
a the case has been disposed Of in the civil court
and this its disposition by the United states
Supreme Court upon the appel secretary Lamont
intends TO bring Major Armes before court