The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-30

highly satisfactory condition as 10 disci-
pine, efficiency in military exercises and
sodierly patriotic spirit. The army IS bet
ter fed, clothed and housed than ever be-
fore, and the policy pursued of promoting
the personal comfort of the officers and
men has resulted in a devotion 10 the ser
vice which is everywhere apparent. II can
be said with confidence that never in its
history has the present condition Of the
army been surpassed
The number Of enlisted men III the SER
vice on October 81 was 25.35S. Excluding
those on the sick list etc. the effective
list is placed at 2p5S4 of all arms. Changes
established by the method Of recruiting
during the past two years have consider
ably reduced the cost of that service. while
perceptibly increasing the effective
strength of the army. The secretary con-
ours in the recommendations Of the pay
master general that the entire amount of
pay earned by eacn enlisted man De pald
TO him monthly.
BY far the most essential need of our
army today is the adoption of the three
battalion formation The reasons for tbs
change and a way 70 provide IT were
stated in the report of the department for
1891 Secretary Lamont then goes on at
considerable length to discuss these pans.
and says: The formation desired admits
OF RAPID and great expansion 10 meet the
eXigerc.es of actual warfare. and Is es-
pecially adapted 20 the small force consti-
tut.ng the peace establishment Of the
United States. Resolving the effect OF
these changes into money. u appears that
for pay ratlons ana clothing OF the in
creased number Of enlisted men proposed
an increase of 81 10000 in the annual APP
propriat.on Will ba required. Retrench-
ment in the m'n.strat.ve branches ~
the war department has reduced the eN-
pendltures for the current fiscal year hy
f~.f. Of D All ff
with last year. and the estimates contcm-
plate further retrenchmeut for the coming
fiscal year. These economies iu the ai-
min!straton of the war department may
properly D. turned 10 the benefit of the
army. and, so regarded. the proposed In
crease in numbers and tle higher ef-
fic.cncy in organization OF the ont. ste8
men may be obtained at an increase OF
only about $1o1p4 over the sums hitherto
appropriated annually to the war depart
mcnt The proposition outlined contcm-
p.ates an Increase in the number OF Inc
officers. involving an increase FOR salaries
az about $4,000. This increase OF oxpend-
.tures should be met and more than over
come oy reductions IN the expenditures for
the staff
"Onc-fourth Of all Of the'oficers are per-
manently assigned 10 staff duties or the
entire amount appropriated FOR the current
fiscal year for pay Of officers s. fsg 10
for the salaries OF the STAFF II must be
conceded that the ratio OF staff 10 line IN
our military establishments Is decidedly out
OF proportion. and that attention may well
he directed 70 some adjustment which VIII
IN effect Increase efficiency and az the
same time permit the transfer of a fund
or no small amount 70 pIrpos tending to
promote the welfare of the whole service
The present chiefs Of bureaus IN the staT
organization of the army are capable and
efficient men. The wisdom howtyeT, of
continuing the present system of seic--
ton may WeIl 30 questioned. Following the
close Of the last war. and unsto the pres
ent time in assignments 10 star places
successful service in the active operations
of that trying period have governed and
the seniority method fl promotion has OPP
Grated comparatively well. hT reason u
the fact that the older officers Gig bie un-
der the prevailing custom had benefited
from such experience. II .s fa5r ~ assume
tnat the conditions cannot much longer
continue. and the time therefore. IS deemed
oruorfune for the consideration IF rev
methods The vast !mportance 10 the pub
i.c service Of securing ia these places n
the future regardless cr other 0ous.dera-
tIou@ the officers hest 1tfed bv natural
talents and attachments. as evidenced by
their present perforUance of duty c8Hnot
b. denied. and the know ledge that sueH
fat 20 excite au ambition ana effnrt that
would increase intellectually tae efficiency
~ IN. whole service. Tae head of eaca
staff co~ps shoud. in mT Judgment 1e go
1..,rad f1r a term 80 years. tae officer az
the expiration - hls term - resume duty
r. mis- comm -ssiouej grade, unless reap
r1,rted
me arr approved Octoaer :. lsH 20 pro-
vii. Tor the examination % certain Oh cers
~ t~r army and u regulate promotions.
has proved 10 oe a great 81 n1Il1s To the
Younger officers % pursue comprehensive
course Of reading ard study calculated 70
r. them for tire higher and more important
or=aes. To stimulate the requirement ~
s.l-a knowledge. i g recou1se ndei taft
tha provisions 81 the act above cited be
sv,eriezs 50 az 20 provide for the examins-
son az ali officers of the lire ana stan o.
tae army t.el0w the grade - colonel pr4or
Il promotion.
pee s1psr.ntendent of the military
s-a4snv Al West point reports t3st me
number of cadets on September !, 80. n