The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-05-23
Lineal Promotion in the Army.


experienced by the innocent public.
Lineal Promotion in the Army.
Lieutenant Parker, one of the best
known writers on military topics con-
nected with the regular army, in last
weeks outlook voices the general OBJ
lection of the line to the present sys-
tenn of promotion in the army, which
rests wholly on seniority and not at all
on ability or merit. Incidentally he
points out how the lack of a suitable
system of promotion for merit is likely
to affect our experiment of military
colonial government.
After explaining the almost absolute
powers of the military governor in a
territory not yet brought under civil
administration and showing how for
tunes are made and unmade daily by
a single stroke of the official pen, the
lieutenant affirms that the temptation
to prostitute the powers thus lodged is
far greater than any that assails Off
GERS quietly stationed at home in the
discharge of merely routine duties.
Under constant temptation, where
simple honesty brings no reward ex-
cept the assaults of disappointed ene-
mics, the moral fiber of a man is apt
to deteriorate. When wealth, reputa-
tion and success are almost sure to
follow the propitiation of corrupt and
powerful local influences, and when alb
solutely no reward except the con-
sciousness of duty done awaits faith
ful and honest administration, a mill
tary governor may" Lieutenant Par
ker thinks, almost be pardoned if he
yields to that ambitious desire for
wealth and distinction which actuates
men in every profession, and permits
his administration to deviate from the
strict path of rectitude to take full ad-
vantage of the numerous opportunities
for personal and pecuniary aggrand-
izement which are constantly offered to
him." The safeguard against such a
collapse of virtue is to be found, the
lieutenant believes, in the establish
ment Of some method whereby salts
factory performance OF dangerous, ex-
acting or arduous duties shall find
prompt and substantial recognition in
the form OF increased rank and pay.
| At present this promotion can only be
temporary by means of a commission
in the volunteers; the moment the vol
unteer army is discharged every regu-
lar army man goes back under the old
seniority system where length. not
merit, Of service is the only open door
| to advancement.
Lieutenant Parker considers in detail
the recommendations which have been
| put forward in behalf of the present
! system of army promotion and shows
| each TO be fallacious. The system, he
| contends, docs not eliminate favorit-
ism; for while the special promotion of
| line officers in the line is now prohib-
| tied by law, officers with pulls find
| ways and means to get special COM
| missions in the staff or peculiarly de-
| sirable assignments and i'm some in
| stances the senate has sanctioned the
| jumping of such officers directly over
the heads of far abler suDeriors. The
| element of politics and favoritism per-
meates promotions already, the lieu
| tenant argues; and If that is so the
only advantage of the lineal system is
to cut off the hopes for promotion OF
meritorious officers without pull, save
by the slow process of moving up" to
fill vacancies at the head of the line.
In conclusion, Lieutenant Parker
says: Means have been found tC
| make judicious special promotions ir
the navy, based on merit and distn.
guished service; why not also in thf
army? Men who by special effort and
duties, or who win it fairly on thu
battlefield, should be promoted; those
who dissipate their energies by friv
olous pursuits should be left behind
The relative values of officers I'm tn,
service are not irrevocably fixed by the
dates of their commissioners honest, en-
ergetic, ambitious men should be en-
couraged to hope for the highest re
wards. The fact is that no effort ha,
been made by the politicians TO devist
such system in the army The pres
ent system is wrong in principle, az,
Is destructive of professional ambition
The greatest benefits from it accrue I,
two classes-drones, and men witt
strong enough backing to make then
Independent of any system. Those VIII,
will most earnestly oppose a system
based on merit are those who have per
sonal interest at stake, or those VIII
fear to be measured alongside al
comers; II would be well for the ser
vice If all such were in civil life. Il
the reorganization of the army, whicl
has been so much discussed I'm the las