The times., 1898-05-26

fortificationS, ana lntrencnmehtS, WHere
the enemy is intrenched and the main
strategy Is the engineering incident to
the case 1t will be an engineers campaign.
Furthermore, the sanitary problems will
necessitate an accomplished and scientific
staff. For one assault made by the
fighting forces, fifty will have 10 be made
against microbes. insanitary conditions
The spade is mightier than the sword or
rifle, and 1t is a crime In the face OF this
to allow single incompetent to be on
the list of engineers.
Congress has authorized the forming OF
a brigade of troops for this especial pur-
pose Gen. Alger decides that single
regiment shall suffice. An excellent col
onel is named in Mr.. Eugene Griffin, and
then a lot of heutenants are appointed
who don't know compass from gun
lock. and who could only be trusted 20 lay
out a ditch when water had learned TO
run uphill. What is to be the upshot?
Our harbor defenses all need enlisted
help In the shape Of electricians and men
of that character, and an effort Is being
made 20 remedy the deficiency. In the
appointments to positions in the adult
ant generals corps. many oil the main
ones from the Regular Army are more
than good The promotions OF co.'s
Micheler and Maus are weli-deseryed
and admirable, but the same criticism as
to inefficients in high places applies as
aat.la mn af
at hand there is no scintilla of excuse Tor
selecting any men without military ex-
perience Just consider the possibilities or
disaster when one of these sons o! ms
father Is called on. as often happens Ia
some important crisis. to act on his own
| responsibility in the name of his chlei.
| The medical corps seems all right. For
| tunately for them the nerviest political
officeseeker quails at amputating leg
| without experience. This is probably the
salvation of the corps, for the appointing
power would not hesitate for moment 10
make the most blooming ignoramts an
| NJ d. If the pressure therefor existed A
| late lamented chaplain in the army was
| by trade a broken down dentist whose
! distinguished relationship qualified him 10
| save cur immortal souls and draw cap
tains pay for so doing. So. therefore. why
should not somebody son or goodfefow
out of a Job be authorized to chop off some
unfortunate's deg if an honorable senator
or lovely society queen so desires it, And
so on throughout. Take the inspector
generals department Think of the abb
solute necessity of t1avlng therein men Of
years of experience. fully posted on regu-
| latioas. military law, the care OF Gov
eminent property and the precautions 10
| be observed in the method of money ac-
| countalbility. IL there IS one situation
where a good fellow is absolutely out Of
| place 1t is an inspector general. He must
be a chronic fault finder. Not only must he
be able to detect weakness m commands,
| errors In administration or dishonesty in
the care of property. but ne must be made
ofthe stuff that doesn't hesitate to roast"
| the ignorant, inefficient or dishonest. But
look at the list OF appointments. Faugh
| It's dreadful. We are now awaiting the
selection of officers for Col. Grifiin's regi-
ment and the regiments of so-called i'm
munes. The colonies have been named
] anu are III TdLe, anu II I4lt. SLdiitiO VI
the rest of the organization equals that of
their commanding officers the United
States will be in luck. The appointments
in the signal corps as yet have not been
made in fun. Capt Montgomery selection.
as also the promotion of the regular SER
geants 10 secord Iieutenantcies. are more
than good. The law governing the promo
ton of the volunteer signal troops. how
ever Is ominous and suggestive. Il says
two-thirds of all below the rank of major
must be practical electricians or telegraph
operators. In other words the colonies.
lieutenant colonies, majors and one-third OF
the rest may and probably will be worth
less. AN of the signal corps ought to be
either electricians or telegraph operators
None who is not so qualified with the
exception. perhaps, of few 'balloonists
Is fit to belong to so important an or
ganizations. What commentary
on our way of doing things, that those
who should presumably be the best men
are by law permitted to be the worst.
Affairs in the Navy are not mu1h better.
A number of years ago lot Of young An
napolis graduates were thrown out for
lack of vacancies Why are they not now
called into service? Why are not the in
terests of the service consulted instead OF
giving commissions 10 entirely ignorant
men. But further comment is useless.
These stp-shod methods seem part of ouI
system. and must doubtless be endured
The only interesting question. perhaps, is
who Is responsible? Who are the weak
men who lack the courage and strength
to withstand the social. political and 9TH
er pressure brought to bear in favor Of the
unworthy against the worthy? Is it the
President in whose name the appoint
ments are made? Is it the Senate which
confirms? Or is It in the adujtant gener-
ais office, where the lists are prepared
in customary form for transmission to the
Senate? There are some mutterings
around the War Department that these
lists have been edited somewhere and
that the nominations oy the heads oi
staff corps don't go exactly as written. II
is all very well to claim that the appoint.
ments are better than could have been ex-
pected or that they might haYe beer
worse. The day is coming when the faith
ers of thousands dead of disease end sick
ness incident to improper sanitation, food
or care, or ignorant leadership will angri.
ly demand why the appointments were not
the best and fittest and we feel that the
officers of our Government and the eeads
| of military bureaus will be just as unpre.
pared for that question as they are now
for war. OBSERVER.