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Another abuse grown up under this system is compensation, were it not for the ease and facility that of allowing "double rations" to the command- with which it is abused. Before these abuses ing officers of military posts. The intention of reached the insupportable point which they accomsuch a law does honor to its makers, they assuming, plished by the act of July 1838, there was somein behalf of the government, expenses which must thing of harmony, good-will, and brotherly feeling be incurred at many military posts for entertaining existing between the officers of different corps in visitors who have a right to expect it. In one case the Army. When that act was passed, those who out of twenty this allowance is probably partially were benefitted by it and elevated to a position appropriated to its legitimate and hospitable pur- which amounted to a degradation of their compeers, pose; in the other nineteen, it is pocketed by the entreated their neglected and insulted brothers to officer receiving it, and his juniors defray all ex- bear for a while the ills of the system, promising to penses of the kind. Even supposing it appropriated assist at a proper time in raising them to the same in accordance with the law, it is unequal in the platform:--compliance was cheerfully yielded. For extreme, and therefore unjust. The allowance is six years has this promise remained unredeemed; never regulated by the probable expense incurred and now, if any one, a little more restless than his by a cominander, but by his rank. For instance, a companions, dare touch the subject, he is accused Captain, commanding a post on our Northern or of a want of generosity, and the universal cry of Eastern frontier, where he would have to entertain, "hunt him down" is raised. "Why do you attempt in a handsome manner, officers of a foreign service, to reduce our pay?" "Raise your own if you can, on an average of twice or three times a week, or but let us alone; draw no contrasts, comparisons even a month, receives four rations extra a day, or are odious," &c., &c. We reply, that a want of $292 per annum. A Brigadier General, command- faith on your part is sufficient reason for it; and if ing a post on our Western frontier in the Indian it were not, your conduct in endeavoring to direct country, where he is not in a position to entertain the pruning knife at us whenever retrenchment is two visitors a year, receives twelve rations extra a agitated in Congress, as was fully exemplified at day, or $776 per annum. These are extreme cases, the last session, is sufficient reason to justify us in it is true, but they and others less glaring occur throwing off the defensive and assuming the offenevery day in our service, and demand some cor- sive side of the question. It has now reached that rection. As the hospitable intention of the law is point where an officer of the line cannot visit Washalmost universally perverted, the allowance had ington city during a session of Congress, a place better be discontinued. Previous to the act of 1842, where staff-men most do congregate, but he is correcting the abuse, this law had been so far per- hunted out, his business spied into, and no sooner verted as to give the allowance to half the staff is he suspected of enlightening members and comofficers of the Army, including the chiefs of all the mittees of Congress on the subject of abuses in the departments in Washington. A building in that Army, and deceptions practised to conceal them, city at one time contained as many as six "double than a report is made of his invasion of staff-terriration" posts. The only hospitality ever known to tory. "Upon the supposition" that he is there for be extended to other officers, when visiting these this highly improper purpose, an order is issued for places on duty, was a gruff and sepulchral, "What's your business?" from the presiding deity of a sombre desk with pigeon holes full of musty records. The strongest reason for withholding this allow- Before giving the few reasons which I shall, and ance is the fact of its causing officers to seek local which I conceive to be conclusive, against the precommands for the pay they confer, thereby render- sent system of army pay, I will here quote, from a ing the discipline and instruction of troops subser- high-toned and intelligent friend, some views on vient to the mercenary views of their commanders. this subject which are well worthy the attention of When an assignment of troops to stations is to be our Congressional committees on retrenchment. made now, their advancement and the interest of By his kindness I have been saved much labor, and the service are not considered, but the register is the branch of the subject he examines is handled in consulted to see whose rank "entitles him to double a manner which requires no improvement. He rations." The only complaints made in our ser- fully adopts a plan previously suggested in these vice against embodying the troops for instruction, notes for the Pay of the Army, and ably defends it. a most judicious practice, is, that it deprives such The same was introduced years ago into the Navy, and such an one of his "double rations." The and nothing but corruption has so far defeated it in discipline and instruction of the Army has always our service. During the last session of Congress, been found to improve in proportion to the restric-strenuous efforts were made to pass a “salary bill" tion of these injurious, unnecessary and unjust for the Army, which, with all its absurdities, and I allowances. have seldom known more ignorance and more error Our present system of pay would not be so very concentrated in the same small space, would have objectionable, for under it most of us receive ample' been preferable to our present rotten system, though

him to leave the city forthwith, though he may be on a leave of absence regularly granted, and attending to private business of vast importance.

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it would have driven many valuable officers from poverty. The amount of money annually approthe service. My correspondent says:

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'Agreeably to your request I have thrown together a few notes which you are welcome to, on the subject of the Pay of our Army, and I shall ever be glad to render any assistance in my power towards exposing the evils under which we now labor, and discovering the best mode by which they may be alleviated.

"I have always been taught to consider the natural state of an Army to be that of war. Consequently, that its organization and the rules for its government should so be framed as to meet that event. Superior pay and consideration should be given as rewards for brilliant service, or long and faithful discharge of duty. To hold out increased pay and superior advantages to those who, in case of actual war, would shun its dangers and fatigues is an absurdity illustrated by no service in the world but our own. Men, otherwise honorable, have, and ever will exchange the cold bed of the campaigner for the elegant residence of the citizen, when, at the same time, they receive higher pay and have a greater chance of military advancement.

priated by Congress for the Army is amply sufficient for such purpose, but in the manner of its distribution there are just grounds of complaint, for proof of which I need merely mention, that a Brevet Second Lieutenant of Ordnance, sighing for employment, actually receives more pay for his services than a First Lieutenant of the Line; yea of a Captain when not in the actual command of his company. Such superfluous limbs should be well watched and trimmed in time, lest they consume the sustenance necessary for the trunk, so that, when the whirlwind of war comes, the tree falls and cumbers the ground where it stood.

"If there should be a difference of pay between officers of the same grade in different corps, those should certainly be preferred who risk most and perform the greatest amount of actual service. Officers of the Ordnance and Topographical Engineers, Quarter-Masters and subsistence departments, are never called upon to expose their lives to the bayonets of an enemy; neither are they usually compelled to undergo that fatigue and exposure, which not only destroy life, but cause premature disease, paralyze the limbs and rack the body with "Such was the case during the late Florida war, the pains of old age long before a respectable numand many of those, who remained faithful at their ber of years have been attained; nor are the genposts, had to blush at the avidity with which their tlemen of those favored corps subject to the sudcomrades seized every opportunity to escape that den changes of station that impoverish the line very danger and exposure, for which their profes- officer, by causing him to sacrifice what few comforts sion should have fitted them. The idea is con- he is possessed of; yet they claim and actually stantly held out that our present Army is not de- receive much greater compensation. So great does signed for actual contact with an enemy, but rather this injustice appear, that one would infer it to be as a basis on which to erect the military edifice, the deliberate intention of Congress to reduce the when the American people may be called upon to line officer to the position and consideration of a assume a hostile attitude. If such be really the mere drill Serjeant. Resisting, however, such concase, so much greater is the necessity for us to have clusion, I remain firm in the belief, that sooner or at command a body of men, however small in num- later the remedy will be applied, and that it will bers, strong in intellect, vigorous in action, and consist in the equalization of the pay of the whole moved by a common impulse, so as to be capable of Army. The time when this must occur is near at infusing into large bodies of recruits that enthu-hand, or far distant, according to the energy with siasm, guided by discipline, which alone can ensure which our rights are claimed. The deceitful and success. The question then arises, do we possess demoralizing mode in which the Army is now paid such a body of men, and are the laws for the gov- must also soon yield to the simpler, more just and ernment of our Army such as to foster such feel- economical plan of fixed salaries, commensurate ings? Few will deny that the Army is possessed of with the rank and service rendered, and not depenthe material, but the rewards are so distributed, that dent upon the degree of elasticity of the officer's conall officers of any ambition are tempted to seek em- science, in construing an apparently just law to ployment in departments that tend to unfit them for suit his own interest. The reasons for such a systhe actual command of troops, or exercise of arms. tem are so obvious that they need not be enumeThe principal cause of this may be found in our pay rated, as it has long since been adopted in the Navy, system, which may claim with justice the merit of giving satisfaction to both the officers of that branch being the most ingenious one that could possibly of service and those of the treasury. Assuming be devised to impair the efficiency of our Army theirs as a standard of pay, it may readily be shown and corrupt the honor and virtue of all its mem- how the condition of the great mass of Army offibers. cers may be materially benefitted, whilst, at the same time, a considerable saving will be made to the treasury, that too without altering in the least

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Every officer has a right to expect in time of peace an honorable maintenance, that he may direct hs whole mind and energies to his professional the present organization. career, without a constant apprehension of future

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"The sums arranged above, as showing the pres- I duous so ever they might be. One modification ent Pay of the Army, are taken from the official alone might be made, which would not materially estimates for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1845; increase the expense, but might very much increase but those sums will be materially increased by the the efficiency of the military establishment, viz: incidental allowances, under the heads of Brevet to increase the pay of an officer ten per cent dupay, extra rations for commanding posts, addi- ring actual campaign service and deduct ten per tional rations for long service, &c., &c., all of cent from the pay of all who voluntarily absent which should be abolished, as the United States are themselves from duty, on leave or furlough. A entitled to the entire services of every officer of simple calculation, founded upon the preceding the Army, and no additional pay should be expect- table, will show what change would be effected in ed for performing their legitimate duties, how ar- the cost of the Army by its adoption.

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tem are a reproach to any people, and cannot but in direct opposition to his duty, and offers strong reflect upon the honor of every officer of the Army, inducements for him to commit acts of deep moral if thoroughly investigated. The law never con- turpitude under the cover of customs of service, templated the allowance, as an emolument, but it and high official sanction. is so regarded now, by nine tenths of those entitled to it. No regulation can guard against the abuse and the sooner the law is repealed, the better will it be for the honor of the Army.

3rd. It admits with too much ease and facility the introduction of inequalities grossly unjust in themselves, and destructive in their effect of the harmony and unity of feeling and interest which must exist to render an Army efficient.

4th, and last: It is a system by which the few are benefitted at the expense of the many, by means as disastrous in their effect as they are dishonora

"It would be well to increase the pay of a Lieutenant doing the duty of an aid-de-camp, Adjutant, Assistant Quarter-Master or Commissary, by 200 dollars a year, which, according to the present organization, would require an additional appropria-ble in their use. tion of 19,200 dollars, or would diminish the amount, But two arguments have ever been used in favor already stated, as saved by the adoption of the of this system of Army pay. salary system, to 124,602 dollars. No inconsiderable sum, when, at the same time, a vast majority of the Army are benefitted, and no injustice done to the remainder.

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1st. That we could not expect to get as much by any other, for the reason, that none but ourselves can understand what we do get now; and could Congress do so, our pay would necessarily be reduced. This is a staff argument, and, so far as it concerns them, is a very true one. Admit its force, and I do not want a stronger reason for a change. This discloses, too, all their bitter opposition to a salary bill, and proves that "self-interest is the motive power."

It will be seen in the preceding tables, compiled from the official estimates, that the proposed pay for the Army in no case equals that allowed the Navy, except in the two highest grades. There The 2nd is: That, in the field, where we are is no grade of commissioned officer in the Naval compelled to draw these government allowances, service corresponding with our Second Lieutenant, it would be impossible to do otherwise.

but for the sake of argument his pay has been com- This is another staff argument upon which issue pared with that of a Passed Midshipman, a war- is joined. Having been for several years on duty rant officer, and put but little above it, and that of in the field with troops, in Florida, the place above a Brevet Second Lieutenant is placed as much be- all others to render this necessary, as we were low it. In these tables, too, the pay of the medi- there isolated from all supplies, I know from percal officers of the Army, and the officers of the sonal observation it does not apply. In fact, in pay department are excluded, though their inci- one department, the Subsistence, an officer is, under dental allowances are included. Allowing them no circumstances, permitted to draw his subsistence the same pay proposed for the grades with which in kind; but, should he want such supplies, they they assimilate, and a further reduction of $9,234 are sold to him for money, and without money he will be made in the pay of Army officers. It fully cannot get them,-the regulations strictly prohibitappears then, that a system of salary pay may be ing all credit. Supposing they were allowed, what adopted, saving more than $130,000 per annum. earthly use could an officer have for thirty-five raAnd, as that system with the proposed details would, tions a day, the allowance to a Major General, conbeyond doubt, restore harmony to the service, im- sisting, as they do, of 26 lbs. of pork, or 44 lbs. of prove its discipline and instruction, and increase beef; 39 lbs. of flour; 3 quarts of peas or beans, its efficiency, at the same time that the characters or 3 lbs. of rice; 4 lbs. of sugar; 2 lbs. of coffee; of its members would be placed beyond the tongue 1 lb. of soap; (?) lb. of candles; 5 gills of of slander or the apple of temptation, some faint salt, and 1 quart of vinegar!!!! Had history ever hope may be entertained, that Congress will yet be recorded an instance where a great military chiefawakened to the interest of the country, and adopt tain destroyed, in one day, this quantity of the subthis plan, or one similar to it. stantials of life, I should hesitate before giving an opinion against the necessity of allowing it to our officers. If officers of the Navy, at sea two-thirds of their time, can dispense with this allowance, as they have done, by commuting the single ration allowed them, it is folly to claim it as necessary in the Army. The forage allowance might be as easily regulated; furnish it to an officer's horse in the field, when he has one, on the same terms ra

The objections to our present system, tending as it does to abuses and demoralization, are many but a few of the strongest will suffice to prove the necessity for a change.

1st. It is a system none can understand but those intimately connected with it, and therefore admits of abuses, as we have seen, which are monstrous in themselves, but difficult to detect.

2nd. It places an officer's interest, in many cases, tions of provisions are now furnished himself, and

1845.] Translations from Victor Hugo-Chansonnette; Stanzas from the Chants de Crepuscule. 47

do away with that military farce and legal perjury, called "the muster of officers horses."

A SUBALTERN.

supposed it could convey an impression injurious to the professional reputation of one who, it is apparent, "has done his country some service." A SUB.

NOTE.

Ordnance Department.-When treating of this subject, in the June number of the Messenger. reference was made, for the sake of illustration, to the arsenal at Augusta, Georgia, and its commanding officer. There was no intention by that reference, as it is feared some have inferred, to distinguish that arsenal above others, or to condemn at that station what was overlooked at them. From the secondary importance of the place and the contracted operations carried on there, no doubt is entertained but a further search would have furnished an example of greater abuses; and, from the extent of means furnished, one of far more ruinous expenditures for the government. No motive could possibly have existed for this particular reference, unless it was, that an indignity had just been committed on the Army by unceremoniously expelling a company of troops, commanded by an officer of near thirty years service, and superseding him by one far his junior, which it was thought necessary to expose and condemn. After near twelve months delay, that company is again restored, though not without an expense of many thousands to the country.

In the course of the remarks on this subject, an error was committed by which injustice was done the acting chief of the Ordnance Department and the Lieutenant of the corps left in the command of that post, which it is but just and proper should be corrected. The opportunity affords great pleasure, and the friend who has furnished the data by which this error is made apparent is cordially thanked. It appears the command of this arsenal was first conferred on the subaltern who superseded the Captain of artillery, by the predecessor of the present acting chief of the department. The latter, therefore, is not responsible for the evasion of the order of the Secretary of War, which required this Lieutenant to be assigned to duty under his "proper senior officer." The allusion to the subject which caused this order from the Secretary is regretted, as it was by no means involved in the merits of the case under consideration: nor did it add at-all to the grossness of the outrage committed on the line of the Army, the burden of which was borne by the treasury and charged to the expenditures of the military establishment. In the reference made to this order from the Secretary, it was not intended to quote his words in fact, the order was not at hand, and the expression, “discreet and severe commanding officer," was used as expressive of the tenor and intention of the order. That expression may have been too strong, and certainly would not have been adopted had it been

TRANSLATIONS

FROM THE FRENCH OF VICTOR HUGO.

BY MRS. MARY E. HEWITT.

CHANSONNETTE.

"Enfant! si jetais roi je donnerais l'empire," etc.

Were I a crowned monarch,

I would give my diademMy regal throne and sceptre,

Enriched with many a gem— I would give my baths of porphyry, My ships that filled the sea; My empire, people, all, beloved!

For one sweet smile from thee!

Were I enthroned in heaven,

I would give all earth, and air, And the angels, and the demons,

That bowed before me there

I would give yon skies with all their worlds,
Time, space, eternity,

And the teeming depths of chaos,
For one sweet kiss from thee!

STANZAS.

FROM THE CHANTS DE CREPUSCULE.

"Puisque de ton astre," etc.

Since from thy star one cheering ray

My heaven hath lighted with its beamSince one bright rose leaf from thy day

Hath fallen on my life's dark streamAnd o'er my spirit, like a spell,

Thy voice hath poured its gentle ruth; And I have drank of love's charmed well, From thy sweet lips, perpetual youth

I say, as these swift years depart,
Haste, with your faded garlands by-
There blooms a flower within my heart
That none may gather-ne'er may die!
Ye may not dash the cup of soul

That now I quaff to sweet excess-
There lies more memory in the bowl,
Than time hath of forgetfulness!

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