Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-03-11

as the rich, could De OetterS employer
than on the gratuitous Instruction OF a
priyileg ed class of youth.
Mr.. Smith, Of Maryland, remarked
that the arguments of the gentleman
would well apply TO- a proposition to a
bolish this institution; but did not APP
ply with any force to the question in
hand, which was not the Establishment
of the Academy, but the appropriation
of money to defray expenses already au-
thorized by law.
Mr.. Cannon was so little disposed to
continue this Establishment, that he
was willing to arrest, or at least to re.
duce. the appropriation. But in order
to get at a proposition to redufe the
expence of that Establishment, or to a
boiish it, Mr.. C. moved to day this
bill on the table,
After some observations from Mr..
Strother in opposition to this motion,
the question was taken thereoh' anu
decided in the negative.
Mr.. Cannon had proposed sum less
than that moved by the Chairman OF
the committee of ways and means for
the support of the Military Academy.
So that two questions were presented:
the one on certain sum necessary TO
the support of the Academy as it now
stands and the other on less sum-
The question being taken, according to
usage. ON the largest amount, it was
decided in the affirmative, ny a large
majority. A..
sideration of the other items OF appro-
priation.
The item of 81 900 dollars, for boun
ties and premiums on enllstments Of re-
cruits to fill up the Army, coming up
Mr.. Williams of N. Carolina. oppo-
sed this item, on the ground that there
was no necessity for increasing the
number of the Army beyond their pre-
sent actual amount. !,
MIR. Smith of Maryland, supported
the appropriation as being almost a
matter of course, and, 6 morally, Oh the
ground that the Army ought not to be
reduced at all; but, if reduced, that it
ought to be by direct vote.
Mr.. Trimble declared himself to be
in favor of a reduction of the Army,
but in a practicable way !; and ne
thought that, to attempt it in this way,
would but serve to weaken the efforts
which should hereafter be made direct
ly to effect the same object.
Mr.. slocumb was opposed to this ap
preparation and, by way OF shelving
how cautious the House ought to be in
making its appropriations, said, that it
appeared, from documents laid before
the House, that powder and lead belong
ing to the government had been Loaned
to bankrupts to the amount OF 100000
dollars--the repayment OF which the
House is coolIy informed by the officer
having charge of that branch OF the
service. was precarous, and IN ORDER
to mend the matter, that 10000 dollars
more had been advanced in money to
the same persons.
Mr.. Cobb made few remarks a
gainst the appropriations.
Mr.. Iieermore delivered his senti
ments in favor of reduction OF the
ARMY. But. he said, though many
were in favor Of that reductions, there
were also many who were opposed tolt
land the only way in which the former
would secure their object, was to re-
ducc the appropriation. 1t the appro-
priations were made, the ground was
given IN. He was Of opinion, there
fore. that the friends Of the reduction
should make use of the weapons Which
lay in their way. He thought the army
too large, and uselessly employed. IL
would take longer to collect this army.
which was scattered about like tie
sheep of the Shepherd, among many
hills to bring them from the Yellow
Stone, and the remote corners OF the
earth. than to raise up new army,
He also complained of the magnitude
Of the Staff of the Army. as being us
to its numbers. &c.
Mr.. Baldwin made some remarks expla-
natory of the occasion for this appropna-
ton.
Mr.. Foot, with view to present directly
to the House the question Of authorizing
~ o,l;s,mont of men tn supply vacancies