OCR Text |
Show KAVOKiriSM IN TIIKARMV. It Is with pleasure that we note tho manly protest raised by General Stanley Stan-ley against the promotion of Sergeant Ord to the rank of second lieutenant in tho Eighteenth Infantry. The law provides pro-vides for the promotion annually of a number of non-commissioned ollicers to second lieutenants to (ill the few vacancies va-cancies left by West Point graduates, and this is an inducement for honorable honor-able and ambitious young men to enlist In the army. Instead of complying with the spirit as well as with tho wording of the law, a practice has grown up for worthless young fellows, sons of prominent promi-nent army oflicers who failed in tho military academy, to enlist In the ranks with the agreed object of securing the few prizes ottered the meritorious noncommissioned non-commissioned ollicers. And they do secure them. Of the five promotions thus mado this year four candidates were favorites of tho kind described, among them being young Ord and young Hunt, one the son of tho lata Brigadier General Ord and the other the son of the late Col. L. C. Hunt of the Fourteenth infantry. Only one of tho live prospective second lieutenants served his full enlistment, while tho worthy veterans without social iuflu-euce iuflu-euce were unceremoniously left out. By this corrupt perversion of au excellent excel-lent measure the object of the measure is defeated, and tho soldier entitled to advancement is deliberately cheated out of his rights. Recent legislation, calculated to stop desertion, deals very generously with the soldier, but what is tho use of passing laws if they can be. thus shamefully abused? We don't wonder at General Stanley's indignation. |