The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-09-05

IOT lnlD year kThuudliuS CidoS Va
West Pointers. The civilian aspirant,
though he be handicapped by the pref
erence to be given to volunteer officers,
will not be debarred altogether, as
aside from all considerations the presi-
dent Is vested with full discretion to
proceed according to merit and fitness
Of applicants.
President Mckinley will sign In the
neighborhood Of 5000 new commits
sions, including the new commissions
of commanding generals and all the 81
general officers excepting the two pres
ent major generals. Indeed, not only
will all the generals, nearly all the
colonies and lieutenant colonies and a
majority OF the majors within the next
year or two bear commissions signed
by President Mckinley, but large
percentage of the entire army before
March 4, 1905, will hold their authority
by his trust and confidence" in their
patriotism, valor, fidelity and ability"
Never before in the history of the
regular army has any one administra-
ton had so much directly to do with
It's personnel, and never before in the
history of modern armies has nation
al war office had thrown upon 1t so
much technical labor to be performed
within such limited, brief period.
Nearly all the officers of cavalry and
Infantry and many of the artillery Off
GERS who are to be promoted and as
signed to new regiments, as well as the
great bulk of those who are to be pro-
| In, nd ty-o,, oPa 70
the old regiments, are in the Philip
pines, Cuba and Porto Rico. They are
all more OF less remotely separated
into minor garrisons, and the greatest
care will be required to secure expedi-
ton and avoid confusion and error.
Then, again, the enlisted men for the
new regiments must be quickly enroll
ed throughout the United States, as
signed. uniformed and organized, I'M
der command of sufficient number
of officers, who must be somehow
found in this country to take charge
of and conduct the newly formed regi-
ments to the Philippines. All in all,
1t Is a heavy task. especially for the
adjutant generals and quartermaster's
departments. but so thorough Is the
understanding Of all requirements and
so perfect the system Of procedure by
skilled officials no one doubts the final
successful accomplishment Of the
I work
While the new army bill will make
a bonanza of quick promotions for the
younger set, such as has never before
occurred In quasi peace times, the older
set Will not derive near as much i'm
mediate benefit. In the line Of the
army, for example, of the $50 promo
lions only Is will be of lieutenant colo
nels. 80 of majors and but rs of senior
captains. The promotion Of 10 colo
nels to the grade Of brigadier general
and a possible five additional promo
lions and retirements Of colonies will
make total Of 40 field officers and
senior captains Of cavalry, artillery
and infantry, total Of 140 as COM
pared with about 760 promotions of
subalterns. In the several grades OF
the staff department the promotions
will be much less than generally imag-
ined, making a total of 220, including
s lieutenant colonies, 10 majors, 3S
captains and 1855 first lieutenants. The
adjutant generals department will
have but one promotion Of a major
to lieutenant colonel under the new
law and the inspector generals de-
partment but one promotion to colonel
and two to lieutenant colonel, but the
former will have an increase in the
lower grade OF IL officers and the latter
an increase OF Z.
These figures, both for line and staff
show greater advantages and benefits
for the younger set. but the new law
holds out to the older and higher grad
ed officers much greater hope for flu
ture advancement than to the younger
class, whose time for stagnation OF
promotion is sure to come.