Year: 1877




General Sherman proposes to establish
permanent barracks for troops at Washing
ton. He thinks they would be convenient
to have at hand - part Of his military
family, and i satia6sd, from the recent sx-
periencs, when ten OF twelve batteries Of
artillery were concentrated At the capital
for their "moral influence on Congress,
that they would beuseful, even ifnot actual
II needed. He believes in 4 big army and
plenty Of grape 70 settle political ccntro-
versies. 9.g5


Perhaps the Eouse Of Representatives
may not concur in this opinion. Indeed,
there is little probability that his advice
will be either sought for, or much cared
for if volunteered. He succeeded in bam"
boozling the COMMITTEES on Military Affairs
last year, and threw dust in the eyes Of
General Banning. its chairman. But that
cannot be repeated this year.
HGeneral Sherman wasgreatly instrument
al in getting the extra session postponed,
in order to keep the army up to its MAXI
mum for at least half the fiscal year; and to
prevent the retrenchment Of his own pay
and that Of other magni6cently adorned
officers, Who are now living in pomp and
luxury, while the people who pay for this
grandeur ars suffering beyond any former
szpsisnea. ] 9.1a aa, ..5. - ..a.r


Legally, there viii b. no army after
the sosh Of June, - Congress- with : full
knowlsdgs Of the consequences, refused to
vote the necessary appropriation. Every
contract that may be made, and every ad-
vance Of money for the service will be lille
gal and wholly dependent on the will Of
Congress hereafter to confirm: If the
whole army should choose to desert, they
could not be punished or restrained; for
while it is true the soldiers enlist for Ger
tain time, it is ON the condition that they
receive stipulated pay. One side Of the
contract cannot be exacted without full
fillment of the other. In fact, it would be
a:good thing to disband the army and take
fresh start. That is the only way to get
out of the ancient ruts, and to infuse new
vigor into the old machine. Resides, it
would show the country how easily gen.
uine reduction could be made.


The military cabal at the capital, who
are always willing to dance if somebody
else pays the piper, who, in their easy
chairs, take life comfortably, and who
ornament the public receptions with their
brilliant uniforms, look upon economy as
a small business, especially when it touches
their pockets. They say that in a great
country like this, fifteen or twenty millions
a year Of saving is only drop in the ocean.
A huge army and q mighty navy they
believe in, and they rather. think the off,
cans Of both should constitute an aristoc-
rscy, before which plain and poor civilians
ought to bow down and worship. They
have gradually grown to be preferred
class in the body polite, and claim prieile-
ses which are offensive to American
ideas.


1t is high time this evil should be curb
ed, and the military be taught subordina-
ton to the civil authority. Now is the
opportunity to put the army and navy on
real peace footing, and to cut down every
dime Of excessive expenditure for BOTH
There are gallant and honorable officers
in each, who will rejoice to see . reform
which will extirpate abuses, and restore
the service to its olden dignity and honor.


IuPOBTANT 10 WIVES.


Jupsr DnuxxoND, Of the United States