New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-14
AS TO GOVERNORS ISLAND
THE PROPOSAL TO REMOVE THE DEPART
MENT HEADQUARTERS
GENERAL sCHoFIELD OPPOSED TO THE SCHEME
OBJECTIONS OF LINE OFFICERS TO
SERVING AS PAYMASTERS
LEY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBuNE.1


lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNE.1
Washington. Sept. l3-Ii has been said that. in ad-
dition 10 the opposition OF the Chief OF Ordnance Of
the Army to the conversion OF Governors Island
into regimental headquarters. there were other OBJ
staclss to the carrying on, OF such programme.
Northumberland Schofeld is opposed to the plan.
The General regards the retaining of the headquar-
tiers of the Department OF the East on the island as
important He says that from military point OF
view Il Is essential that headquarters be New
York City. and that taking into account the inter-
ests OF the commanding and other officers stationed
there 1t would be unadvsabe. we'll as unjust to
move them. The General explained that the Gov
eminent now provides offices and quarters the
island for General Miles and his staff, and that Il
would be hardship TO these officers and their sue
cessors II they ordered 10 occupy offices In the
city and had to provide residences there.
He gave other OF a military nature why
the commander OF the Department should be where
he is at present. He said that II the conversion
programme could be carried and no; interfere
with the present arrangement with respect 10 head
quarters OF the Department. he could good
reason why II should not be put into effect Whether
this idea is feasible not he was not prepared to
say. but he intimated that 1t might be found
II such is the case the General seemed be OF the
opinion that the plan In view would be a good
He said that he favored the idea Of having near
New-York City a larger body Of infantry which
could be called in case of emergency and his
only doubt IN the matter seemed TO be TO the
best location for such additional forces.
An interesting bit Of gossip is afioat 10 the effect
that protests may be made by line officers of the
Army against compliance with the order OF
Secretary Lamont which makes them pay officers
under certain conditions The story is heard tha,
certain line officers object 70 being made paymas-
and being held responsible for the disbursement
Of Government moneys 1t Is said that the account
ing officers Of the Treasury Department have In
formally considered the question TO whether the
Secretary Of War has the right to order other than
bonded officers to perform that duty when such
officers are available for IT, The line officers thus
stood that several are on the point OF doing So and
will base their protests on the ground that while
they do not object to the extra duty imposed upon
them by the order. II Is not contemplated by law
that they should have regular pecuniary response,
bilites. The accounting officers have not reached
definite conclusions as to what Is right or wrong IN
been called upon for formal ruling:
Unofficially one OF the Treasury authorities nigh
in rank has said that the policy was to edhere
gress" being he expressed 1t. TO keep Govern
funds and property TO the greatest extent pos
sible in the hands OF bonded officers and TO hold
such officers a strict accountability. He added
that In case Of loss either intentional or accidental
the Government look 10 the suretles OF these
sumption is that all officers Of the Army are hon
est and faithful the Government would have no
assurance OF having returned to II money los,
through by officers who are not bonded. He
concluded with the intmation that secretary La.
mont's recent order might be the subject OF oncia
consideration by the Controller OF the treasury al
that IL might be found necessary to revoke the o.
der One point to which he attached importance
that while the enforcement OF ue new oiu ~
might result in economy In the expenditures oW-
ing TO a saving In mileage. and while the system
might be more satisfactory for administrative rea
sons. Congress specifically provided corps OF
a plain duty TO utilize the services or those oicers
10 tho fullest extent practicable