The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-15
American Lieutenant's Ways.


Let no one suspect for a moment that
the Yankee second lieutenant slows away
$50 in the strong box every month. He
doesn't. He has his wines and cigars and
his theaters when he isn't in the Filipino
trenches, and then in more than so per
cent. of the cases he has his wife. About
the first thing the West Point graduate
does is 20 get married. Filtration Walk
and the moonlit verandas of Cranston's
Hotel are responsible for many cases of
love in two frontier barrack rooms. \
famous major general, now retired, COM
manded when a colonel a big frontier post.
He swore he wouldn't have any married
kid second lieutenants' in his outfit.
A subordinate fresh from the academy,
who was waiting his first leave in order
20 get married, heard the ColoneTs die
tum, and went nosing forthwith into an
Gent history. He found in certain rec
ords that the grouty old veteran had been
married so close on the heel of gradua-
ton that while on his honeymoon he was
still absent -mindedly dating his letters
from West Roint-on-the- Hudson The
Lieutenant, with that kind of nerve which
wins battles, sent copy of the Colonel's
marriage end graduation records with
the dates of the events set cheek by 1owl
along with his application for leave Of
absence to get married. 1t was approved.
Other Comforts.
In addition to his pay a second neuten-
ant gets living rooms and an allowance
of fuel almost sufficient to keep him
warm. The English officer of the same
rank also gets his quarters, but If he hap
pens to be on detached service or If the
garrison rooms are all filled he is allowed
only so cents a day to pay for his lodg-
ings. The American second Lieutenant is
similar circumstances is allowed S25 a
month, an amount sufficient TO pay for
small heated fiat.
A captain in the British service draws
the munihcent sum of $s4 a month from
the government. Uncle Sans officer Of
the same rank gets $50 a month and as
few officers reach the grade of captain I'M
til they have seen at Least fifteen years
of service, longevity pay Increases tho
amount drawn 10 about $3.50 monthly. The
captain of a cavalry troop draws SIG
month more than his brother of the in
fantry this increase being granted To
make allowance for the wear and tear on
clothes which is incident to mounted drin
and campaigning. Now, as a matter of
fact many American officers are in debt
and occasionally one hears Of duplicated
pay accounts and subsequent courtsmar-
tial with ordinary economy, however.
the officers OF all ranks should be able 10
keep clear Of di&greeable due bills.
The graduate officers OF the American
forces get lesson In economical living al
West Point that is worth as much I'm an
educational way as are their drills. The
government pays each cadet N5 a month
and shuts him no IN the guard cent or
make him walk long tours of extra guard
duty II he Is caught receiving from any
source whatsoever "A single cent outsld.. ~
his pay. He r. not allowed 10 handle The
allowance made by the government. The
treasurer Of the academy holds his money
for him. and the boy puts Ia orders for
such things AS be needs. He pays for his
board, for his clothing, for bis gas, for lis