Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-05-10

Of the Senate toward an Increased army,
with additional rank and pay for the
general commanding, new corps OF
civil officers, aud double the present
number OF cadets at West Point, was
glainly shown Friday, when the Army
Reorganization bill was passed without
the formality Of roll-cail, after all
efforts to amend the bill had signally
failed.
Senator Kenney introduced an amend |
ment creating veterinary corps in the
army, which was finally adopted, by
vote Of Us to %
In support of his amendment MI.
Kenney said 10 part.
Gin any scheme for the reorganiza- |
ton OF the army OF the United States
there is no question that deserves more
consideration than does that OF a prop
erly organized and commissioned veteri-
nary corps. This country Is alone in
all the world IN maintaining a great
army without properly organized and
commissioned veterinary corps. In our
army today veterinarians are nothing
more than civilian employees, hired from
day to day. without any responsibility
and practically without authority.
1.-THE amendment which has Just
been rend (which is given below would
InCgbd1b tilb bADtuSd bNCtsnory W thhb
corps over what is today being OK
pended for the civilian service not more
than On, 900, while it would give 10 the
service corrs commissioned and with
oil the responsibility and with oil the
powers that 60 to commissioned officers.
81 fail too understand what lsgiti-
mate objsctiop can be urged to the sub
stitution In the army Of the United
States Of corps like the one proposed
by the amendment just read for that
which today obtains in our service
Then the Senator gave list showing
the strength of the armies Of the lead
ing countries of the world, together
with the number CT veterinarians en-
ployed in those armies.
The United States is at the very bot
tom Of the list Having an army of
100000 men and an irregular number
Of veterinarians. Mr.. Kenney said he
had received letters from leading
officers in all branches OF the army
favoring the establishment Of veteri-
nary corps. Among those mentioned
were Gen. Merritt, Gen. John X. Brooke,
Gen, James II, Wilson, Gen. j. @.
Breckenridge, Gen. Charles King, Col.
o. L. Helm and many others.
Continuing, Mr.. Kenney said: IAN
amendment offered by me to the Amy
Appropriation bill and also one offered
by the distinguished Senator from Con-
necticut tMr. Hawleyl went to the
committee on military affairs, but had
no consideration, as ] understand.
now propose this amendment to this
bill, which understand is for the re-
organization Of the army and for the
betterment of the service. IL its title
means any thing, then there is no branch
or arm of the service that needs more
consideration than does the veterinary
corps.
II hope the Senators il passing upon
this question will take into considera.
tion that in the establishment of this
corps it is not going TO cost the govern,
ment Of the United States sum larger
than $4,000 than that which is today
being paid for the kind OF service the
government Is receiving.
In this connection might say that
there Is today 10 the army service
veterinarians who are able to give tina
consideration and examination to tn,
great question Of army foods that is re
quired. Many will remember the yer,
disagreeable criticism that was passed
upon the administration Of our arm.
during the Spanish-American war il
regard to food that was furnished Il
our troops. desire TO say-and be
lleve 1t to be true-that II we then hat
commissioned veterinary corps unde
proper regulations that criticism woul,
never have been had.
1T is fresh In the minds of man
Senators what great loss the govern
ment sustained In the death Of the cav
airy and artillery horses stationed Il
Florida. That loss was largely due t
the lack Of veterinary treatment. L
the United States today the value {
army animals is so large that it seem
to be any legislation which would al
In the preser walton and protection {
the property Of the United States i
these animals would be the strictes
sort of economy"
The amendment introduced by Sen;
tor kenuey is as follows:
That the veterinary corps shall cor
sist Of;
A chief veterinarian, with the ranl
pay and allowances of q colonel, Unite
States army
An assistant veterinarian with Il
rank, pay and allowances of majo
United States army, to be promoted
1905, after competitive satisfactory O.
animation, from the grade Of veter
parisn and captain. a-
-Four veterinarians with the rank, D,
and allowances Of captain of cavair
to be promoted in 1903, after compel
tive satisfactory examination, from Il
grade Of assistant veterinarian and lie
tentant
Ten assistant veterinarians with Il
rank, pay and allowances of first lie
tenant of cavalry, to be promoted aft
satisfactory examination:
Iravided that these 20 positions sht
include the veterinarians, first-clas
provided for in the act of March 2
1899, who have passed satisfactory 9
aminations, and also six veterinarian
-second-class, who are now employed
the army under said act Of March
1899.
All ruies and regulations governi
veterinary corps shall be made by t
Secretary Of War, and the chief vete
marian shall report directly to tn
officer. -''1,t sH
For-pay Of officers OF the veterina
corps. s33, 500. 49, - ! -
1t is the general opinion among arr
officers here that this clause Of the b
will be recognized as one Of the nj
important ones.
rSta& Finger Ends Cut on. &
Edward Leonard of No. 100 Como
avenue, had the ends. OF three fng
on his left hand cut off Monc
by machinery at the Arlington Mi
His injuries were dressed at the De
ware Hoscital