The New North West

The Army Bill in Disfavor.

WASHINGTON, January 12.--It seems to be generally conceded that the Burnside bill for reorganization of the army cannot pass. The bill, as a whole, will be vigorously opposed by some able members of both Houses, on the ground that it tends to subordinate the War Department and even the President himself to the General of the Army, and establish a sort of military autocracy, which is not in harmony either with the wishes of the people or the spirit of our institutions. Some of its leading opponents do not hesitate to say that the authority which it gives the General of the Army is not only excessive but wholly unconstitutional. Under conviction that the bill in its present shape or in any shape which it is likely to assume will fail to receive the approval of Congress, Representative Atkins, with counsel and the suggestive co-operation of some of the ablest officers in the army, has prepared another as a substitute, which. although it has the same general object as the Burnside bill. differs considerably from the latter in its methods and details. Its principal provisions are as follows : The army is to be reduced to the desired strength, not by summary dismissals or enforced retirements, but by the slower operation of the natural laws. Vacancies created by death, casualties and resignations are to be left unfilled. Regiments are to be consolidated as their effective strength decreases, and the whole army, line and staff, are allowed to gradually shrink to the desired numerical limits.