The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-26
ARMY RETIREMENT LAW.
HOW 1t Originated - General Scott
First on the List.

Officers of both the army and navy
are recognized as honorable servants of
the government who, when they ask
TO be retired, ask for nothing more than
a fulfillment of the contract under
which they have served so many years
When the retired list was established
IN the early part of the civil war, it
was for tie express purpose of pension
ing deserving officers of long service
and those who should become incapaci-
tated by reason of wounds or other ext
gencies of the service. 1t was also
intended TO relieve the highest grades
OF worthy but superannuated officers
and to insure regular promotions. A
retired list for every army and navy
has been recognized as necessary in the
interests of the government and of the
individual-of the government, in order
to secure the efficiency of its services;
of the individual, to provide place and
provision for those unfit for duty in
consequence of long service and casual
ties.
The first law authorizing the retire
ment of army officers was passed by
congress in August, 1861. By this act
officers of more than forty years con-
secutive service could be retired by the
president, and Officers incapable of
performing the duties of their offices"
were to be brought before a retiring
board for examination. If found by this
board "incapacitated for active service"
they were to be retired differently, ac-
cording as the incapacity resulted from
cause incident to the service or other
wise. The first retiring board was as
sembled on August II, 1861, and Off
GERS of forty years service were invited
to make application to be retired. The
first officer announced In orders as re-
tired was Lieutenant General Winfield
Scott, he being retired apon his own
application on November 1, 1861. On
December 5, 1861, an order was publish
ed announcing as taking effect at var
ious dates the retirement o. thirty Off
GERS in addition to General Scott 1t
had been hoped that the Provisions OF
the act of August, 1861, would have
been sufficient to produce the desired
end-namely the filling of he higher
ranks with officers of bodily powers
required from them in time of war.
But this hope was a vain one
In July, 1862, second act was passed.
which authorized the president % retire
at his discretion any OFFICER wno had
been on the army register foHy-f1ve
wears or who was of the age of sixty
two. The effect of this law was p,ompt.
and up to September 1, 1853, the presi-
dent retired under it two generals, three
colonies, three lieutenant colonels and
four majors In July, 1856, congress-
passed an act providing that Officers re-
tired for disability for wounds received
in battle might be retired with the ull
rank held by them on the active ist,
CT ia IL6 TGS Old1
vice. when wounded. About sixty pf
this class were retired before the lay
was repealed in 1872. In March. 1856.
congress- passed an act reducing ami
the army, and in July
1870. additional legislation directed tins
muster out of all supernumerary OH
GERS. To prevent hardship falling upon
old officers under this act. some OF
whom would be left unprovided for,
congress authorized the retirement.upon
their own application. Of officers who
had been thirty years in the service. At
the same time it fixed the total number
of officers on the retired list not to ex-
coed 300 at any time. In June, 100
congress. by a clause in the army APP
bill, Increased the retired
list and limited it to 400 In 1888 tne
retirement law was amended to change
the compulsory limit from sixty-tWo
years and to read land when an ofIicer
is sixty-four years of age he snail pc
retired from active service and De
placed on the retired list" other m1 1,
fications have been made in tne ,. ia
from time to time respecting the mint
of number, etc.-New York TRIBUNE