Year: 1869




After good deal Of discussion in the House
of Representatives over the Army Appropria-
ton bill and the defeat of several amendments
to cut down the army and its expenses the
amendment Of Mr.. Blaine was finally adopted
by large majority, the vote being III yeas to
GA nays, and the bill thus amended was
passed. The Blaine amendment is negative
in its character and leaves the reduction of
the army to the discretion Of the Secretary OF
Var or the administration-that is, in fact to
General Grant, except that it positively pro-
vides ''that until otherwise directed by law
there shall be no new appointments and no
promotions in the Adjutant Generals Depart
'ment, Inspector Generals Department. Fay
Department, Quartermaster's Department,
Ordnance Department or Medical Depart
ment." No new commissions in any regiment
are to be issued until the military force is
reduced to twenty regiments of infantry, i've
of cavalry and five of artillery. The Secre-
tary Of War Is directed to consolidate regi-
ments as rapidly as the requirements Of the
public service and the reduction of the num-
der of officers will permit till this minimum Of
force is reached. Thus, as we said, there is
no positive provision for the reduction OF the
army. All is left to the views of the admins
tration as to what the requirements Of tho
public service may be. ~'4s-~S,''


While we have confidence in General Grants
determination to cut down the expenses of the
government, and think that some latitude Of
discretion may be left to the Executive, 1t
would be better for Congress to determine by
law what should be the average military force
in time of peace. The present time, when
there is such urgent necessity for retrench-
ment, affords the best opportunity for cutting
down the army and fixing, approximately at
least the number of men and officers. For
this reason the amendment proposed by Gene
raj Butler was preferable to that Of Mr.. Blaine,
for his is specific in terms as to where and how
reductions should be made. Thirty millions
year, or thereabouts, would have been saved
by this amendment, and the people could see
how it was to be done. They would have seen
that the talk about economy was meant and
being practically carried ont: True, General
Grant gave the country proof Of his
economy when, at the close Of the
war, he promptly cut down the army,
and we doubt not he will give further proofs
of fretrenchment; but we cannot shut our eyes
to the fact that as a military man he may in
cline to favor larger army establishment than
Congress or the people want in time of peace.
1t is known that for the last three years Of
peace the army has been a great cost to the
country. Then why should the responsibility
be left with the President? In the matter of
strictly administrative responsibility, and par
ticularly over the departments and officers
of the government, both civil and military,
he should have full power, and for this purpose
the Tenure Of Office act should be swept away;
but Congress should determine by law the ex-
<1enses Of the several departments and where
, petrenchment should be made. General Grant
lis too wise and patriotic to desire anything
else. Those who oppose retrenchment on the
pretended ground Of confidence in and giving
full scope to the new administration are not
the best friends of that administration, for
their action can only tend to embarrass it.
Let Congress begin thorough system of econ
omy, and we have no doubt General Grant will
gladly acquiesce In and support its measures.


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