CORRESPONDENCE. 
785 
made a failure and apologize for his silence and for myself. An¬ 
other effort was made, and this time our faith was well placed in 
the person of Dr. J. P. Turner, late of the Sixth Cavalry, whose 
efforts were fruitful of results ; he knew how to take the tide 
when it served and impressed those with whom he came in con¬ 
tact with the justice of our cause. He obtained the sanction of 
the War Department, and a favorable report of the Military 
Committee of the House, but it is with regret that we chronicle 
that his faith was lacking, for he resigned his place to enter 
the Bureau of Animal Industry. He is now, however, filling an 
official position in the District of Columbia, and he will always 
fill a warm place in the hearts of his comrades in the army. 
Dr. Salmon, Chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry, so well 
known to all veterinarians, has exerted himself unceasingly in 
behalf of our cause, and to his efforts we owe a great deal. He 
has given his influence to onr bill, and has cast himself in the 
breach when things seemed hopeless. 
We cannot forget the aid given ns by that champion of 
veterinary rights, the American Veterinary Review, which 
always has opened its pages to our recitals, and has given the 
influence of its editorials to onr cause. We also thank the U. 
S. V. M. Association and the Keystone and New York Veteri¬ 
nary Medical Associations. 
The bill as it was introduced in the army reorganization 
provided, section 2 of that bill, that we should be paid $1200 a 
year and be enlisted men. If that section became a law I be¬ 
lieve there would not remain in the service more than three men 
and these only long enough to retire. The service would then fill 
lip with the rag-tag and bobtail of the profession ; those without 
ambition, sentiment or energy, devoid of professional pride and 
spirit, the hangers-on of the outmost edge and unknown outside 
of the livery stable, in which they had made an attempt to prac¬ 
tice and became proficient in “ crap ” games through association 
with the stable “swipes.” So much for the foresight of the 
framer of that section. The Military Committee made a revi¬ 
sion of that same section, and as it now stands it provides that 
the army veterinary surgeon shall be given the rank, pay and 
allowances of a second lieutenant of cavalry. This will insure 
better service, and, as it provides for two vets to each regiment, 
the ground will be covered more completely and more satisfac¬ 
torily. The Military Committee has recognized the fact that 
veterinary medicine is abreast of the times, and is not filling any 
back seat. Their report is as follows : 
