New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-10
FAVORITISM IN THE ARMY.
REGIMENTS SUFFER FROM LACK OF
OFFICERS.
WEST POINTS GREAT CORPS OF INsTRUC-
ToRs-HARD TASK FOR THOSE WITH
TROOPS IN THE FIELD.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRBUNE.l


washington. Oct. e.-There IS another out
break OF complaint concerning the growing
abuse now known as Army absenteeism. Behind
II Is the far worse feature Of favoritsm. which
Is steadily dennoralizing the military establish
nent. Il has aroused a sullen discomfort among
hard worked and nleritorious officers without
the pull" which has lately become a marked
manifestation Of Army life
The astounding percentage Of absentees from
various regular regiments. as recently from
time TO time disclosed in these dispatches, has
emphasized TO thoughtful friends Of the Army
the necessity for immediate and drastic statu-
tory measures 10 limit the promiscuous detach-
nent Of officers from their corps upon special
duty except under the most urgent requirements
elsewhere The Tribune data have not been
made from mere hearsay evidence, or picked up
gossip. but were reprinted from official reports,
deliberate information given out by the War
Department, or from confidential statements Of
officers who have felt themselves aggrieved by
the system as now practised.
It is only in a few cases that the officers alb
sent from their commands can be said TO be
Sinking. The greater part are always found TO
be on duty" somewhere, but investigation dis
closes that IN every case Il is some easier or
more congenieI duty and particularly such as
affords TO them increased pay or some other
special advantage. The arrival at Fort Myer
recently from Porto Rico Of five troops Of the
9TH Cavalry under peculiar circumstances con-
nected with their transportation was commented
On IN these dispatches. The criticisms were an
swered by General Ludington7 the Quarter1nas-
-er-Gene-al who seemed 10 feel that the ''busi-
ness methods Of his bureau were involved Ihat
subject viii be discussed later. Meanwhile, what
s. more pertinent now, investigation at the time
showed that Of forty-two line officers then be-
longing 70 the 9TH tventy-one were absent on
detached duty, or precisely half the complement.
Reference TO the subject elected some violent re
marks from one Of its hard worked officers on
the subject OF favoritisn and absenteeism-
CAVALRY TROOPS LACK OFFICERS.
The last Army list issued on September 20.
shows that the number Of absentees from the
9Th had been reduced 70 seventeen. Of the re-
raainder, ten lire officers, together with Colonel
Rafferty,, Lieutenant Colonel Jackson and Major
Thomas, making thirteen. were with the five
troops al Fort Nyer. near Washington On the
other hand, with the seven troops IN the ned
there were only seventeen officers, including one
major, Charles /. Cooper. Part Of these are
still in Porto Rico and the balance in Arizona
and New-Mexico. These are significant facts.
The same Army list also shows surprising
condition in tbs 10Th Cavalry in this regard II
holds the prize for absence Of its first neuten-
ants e grade upon which the real regtmenta1
work most heavily falls. They are like the ex-
ecutive officers in the Navy. The aggregate
number Of absentees Is large, twenty-one out OF
q complement Of forty-six officers. nearly one
half Among them are its colonel, two majors,
five captains eleven first ueutenants and two
second lieutenants. A few weeks ago its condi-
ton was even worse. Then its chaplain was
absent at home but he now appears 70 be back
with the men. The 10th is really IN shameful
condition.
As the list OF absentees from the 10th Cavalry
furnishes fair sample Of what detached officers
are generally "at," It IS here published in full:
Colonel Samuel NJ whiteside. commanding De
Partment OF Santiago Cloai MAJOR KlchE s q
Carlisle; Major John B. Kerr. military attache,
T Ce cs5an LfS 6bdr E L Mhe major and
acting Acknowledgements Of volunteers Cuba; Cap
Manila: Captain Carter P Johnson major 4sth
volunteers Manila; Captain Thaddeus W. Jones,
IieuIerant-coIoneI 18Th Volunteers. Manila; First
Lieutenant Edward D. Anderson, major 18th Vol
unteers. Manila; First Aeqtenane Walter G. Short,
major S51h ' ounteers. Manila; First Lieutenant
William II hay. captain ana acting quarterr9aster
Pershing. major and acting adJutant-general vol
enbach. engineer officer. Colonel Whiteside's staff,
sanago First Lisaten9nt James e. HaT69Tsd,
Cbsffee China First Lieutenant Malvern Hiii
RgTrUn. West Point Academy; First Lieutenant
George ?. Hamilton, West Point Academy First
envy; FIRST Lieutenant Richard L. Livernore. West
Point Acace1ny; Second LIsn.te13a3nt warren W.
Second Lieutenant Frank MCCOY. aide-de-camp 10
General Wood Havana.
Upon scanning the foregoing list a retired
veteran, broken down from many years hard
ships in the field and covered with the scars Of
battle, whispered in establishment: Wonder
what the 10th's troops IN the field do for Off
cers?"
80 DEARTH OF INSTRUCTORS.
It IS easily gathered from competent sources
that the present state OF affairs is viewed with
nisgfvings by al conscientious Army officers
outside the Washington bureaus The morale
and practical weubeing Of the 10th Cavalry. for
Il stance. must seriously suffer from the detail
Of one Of its majors and four OF its brightest
first Leutenants to educational duties at West
Point and at Carlisle. The officers with the
regiment can hardly be cheerful in the discharge
OF their daily duties confronted by this long list
OF absentees. which makes these duties doubly
orerous- Obviously the example which is bad,
must fl them with discomfort and jealousy.
The military authorities are IN deep fault for
not speedily putting stop TO the favoritism
which is the chief root Of the expanding evil.
One OF the greatest drains upon the Official
personnel OF the Army IS into the Military Acad-
envy at West Point Few people are aware that
not less than fifty Regular Army officers have
for many years been constantly absorbed by
that institution as instructors and executive Of
hcers- There has been q considerable net in
crease recently caused by the addition Of cadets
provided for by Congress at its last session.
The number Of detached officers has now
reached sixty-three a number which viii doubt
less be henceforth permanently required. OF
ms aggregate Twenty-four are from the cavalry