THE PAY OF OFFICERS IN THE ARMY. Pro TEE EDITOR
Or THE "SPECTATOR:] SIE,—In the Spectator of August 29th you say : "The officer's pay has stood now at the same figure since a hundred years ago." Practically it has not been so. In 1871 Mr. Cardwell's Act relieved officers from a heavy compulsory outlay for the purchase of first commissions and of promotion. This was equivalent to an increase of pay. It was intended to open the Service to men of slender means, and it has worked so. At once there sprang up brisk competition for commissions hi the Line. While that continues, it can hardly be maintained that the successful competitors in Army examinations are exceptionally "stupid," as compared with barristers, solicitors, and doctors. There are regiments- " crack " regiments you call them—to which your criticism fairly applies. For these there is no competition. But there are two ways of opening them to men of moderate fortune. The one is to raise the pay, the other to keep down expenses. Which will public opinion prefer P—I am, Sir, &c.,
C. S. PARKER.
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