The Utah County Democrat. [volume] (Provo City, Utah) 1898-1909, 1899-01-25
Provo u. c. NJ. L.
L. o. Taft, Manager.
". II. Freshaoater,
Hardware and Sporting Goods.
Weakness of Executive.

After war was determined on, there
we're revealed serious weaknesses in
our system. The President is only
uomlnaIly commanderin-chief. So far
AZ the army is concerned. Congress
Commands. 1t does not often permit
even the professional soldiers who are
4 educated at the military academy to
rise TO the rank of general officers.
4 When the war broke out Gen. Merritt
was the only general officer of the
army who had been educated at West
Point; and while there were general
officers in the army, notably Cen.
Miles, Who had earned their high COM
missions by soldierly achievements, it
Is the fact, known OF all who are ac-
Quainted with army affairs, that intime
Of peace, at least, friends in Congress
are more potent in securing Brigadier
or jor-Generalship than former SER
vices in the field or present services at
posts AS soon as war approached
politicians increased their active inter
ference with the army. An attempt in
the House Of Representatives to make
the regular force equal to the emer-
gency was defeated by the influence Of
politicians in the militia, or dependent
\ on the MALTA for votes. The navy
also suffered by neglect OF its person
II mel bill As soon as the volunteer army
was authorized politicians sought COM
n missions for themselves, their friends,
and the sons aud nephews of them
selves and friends. In the States the
n Colonies who had pulls" obtained
what they called recognition" for
their commands. Unpreparedness and
incompetency marked every step at the
beginning of the war. Educated sol
diers, old and young, were overlooked,
and the rank and file were turned over
70 the care OF ignorance and inditfer.
ence. Congressman not only filed the
new places, but they were diligent In
seeking opportunities for money-mak'
lDg for other friends. Sad as the tale
IS, II is not new or strange. Congress
mas always commanded the army. II
has not so completely commanded the
navy, because that service must be un
ger the direction of professional men
II Is true the army should also b'
under the control OF instructed sol
ulers, but this Is not so clear to the
MUD OF the politicians, who seem t.
mink that they are capable Of conduct
'og any military enterprise that doe
NOT demand knowledge Of navlga
uon' After the protocol was signed
many OF the militia and volunteer re
Hlmenls began TO clamor to be mus
~ied out. Then the politicians inter
'ened again, and obtained liberty to e,
nome forAhe men for whom they haC
aist obtained stations at the front
oOme volunteer regiments were mus
'ereu out because their friends at hom
VINO have votes did not want thei
Joys to 60 to the West Indies or tn
fnihplnes, or even to Hawaii. On
ss'ment, ar least so it is reported, re
'u'eu 10 go, and IL also was mustere
out' The demoralzing effect Of poi
Hvs was witnessed in the field, a
"sn as at the beginning and end of tn
'u'le' Popular houors went TO undi:
s'p'lned volunteers. and the regular
~uo mad earned the laurels of the can
sa,so were we'll nigh forgotten. -FroI
Inc Weakness of the Execuliv
10~er 10 a Democracy" by Henri
,.o'sils Nelson, in Haipers Magazln