The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-08-04

j. now abolished and in two years twill DO re-sstab
lshed, and be located in New York The gentle
man over the way (Nr. McKeon) mods his head in
the way Of assent he unde stands the game, per-
ceive. Again; why is il proposed to reduce the ar
my' Because the Florida war is concluded, and
i supposed so large force as our prodigious arm
is not required Now the army, as ii is now, is no
more than sufficient to man the forts the seaboard
and the hontier posts. The truth Of this assertion
has been incontroyertibIy demonstrated by the gentle
man from Massachusetts Mr.. Cushing We do not
want an army TO carry on war with the Indians;
but We want one for the prudential purpose Of making
such demonstration to prevent a war; For that
purpose our present army is already small enough.
Mr. GUSHING said be would no longer struggle
70 prevent the contemplated reductions. They would,
ne foresaw, he made in spite of all his efforts. The
popular oulcry against standing army was one of tho
engines employed to enforce the reduction. Our ar
my Ii not 30 large to deserve the name Of stand
ing army. II is too small to exert an influence in the
elections, lift completely under the control
Of its commander and the men of regular army are
too much associated from the other Citizens to operate
powerfully on the course of civil affails A militia
force being large and being composed of who lose
nothing of their position and feelings Of citizens by "a
short tour of military duty, might produce DANCE
rous Influence in the elections, when they return to
their usual avoca,ions with their feelings enlisted in
favor ofthe commander under whom they have served
Another argument in favor Of reduction is the
ohCSOo PostIty VI tue country mere certainly udb
been great depression in certain branches ofindustry
but STILL is the country poor2 Certaiay not. The
States indebted to the amount of $500 600 900 to
people in EurOpe--but that money has been received
and been applied to certain uses People of State
having railroads and canals of such value $lO,-
OOOOO have not been impoverished by borrowing
the money for their construction The country is not
poor.
The debate was continued by Mr. STANLY who
went into full and elaborate position of the bill as
reported by the Committee and in reply to the argu
ments of Mr. CALHOUN with respect to the Spring
field aImory.
Mr.. CALHOUN commenced reply, but in few
minutes he stopped by the arrival Of the hour of
three, when all debate TO cease
The amendment of Mr.. ADAMS, reducing the
number Of each company from fifty to forty two,
first acted and adopted; the Chair having decided
that motions to amend for perfectng the bill took
precedence of entire substitute.
An amendment offered by Mr. CALHOUN to strike
out the second section and adopt another, fixing the
salaries Of different officials in the armores, was
adopted.
Mr. J. R. INGERsoLL moved 10 strike out the
Sd section, abolishing the office of Commissary of
Purchases. Rejected without count.
The fifth section of the bill, authorizing the APP
pointment OF person to superintend the manufac-
ture OF cannon, was struck out-yeas 80, nays not
counted.
To the fourth section the words "two surgeons
and ten assistant surgeons were added.
Certain amendments offered by Mr.. SrANLY to the
last section regulating the allowance of double ra-
tons, were carried.
An amendment to abolish the system of double
ratiOns was rejected.
! The original bill having been gone through, the
question required on adopting the substitute offered
by Mr.. Johnson, of Tennessee.
Mr. ADAMS moved to strike out the second Sec
ton OF the substitute authorizing the establishment Of
corps OF mounted rifemeR. The motion prevailed,
80 voting in the affirmative mays not counted.
On adopting the substitute, but 30 voted in the
affirmative, nays not counted-t being conceded that
the substitute was rejected.
The Committee then rose and reported the bill TO
the House.
The first amendment under consideration was that
disbanding the regiment of dragons after the first Of
October next.
MIR. JOHNSON, Of Tennessee said that this bill
did not conform to the provisions Of the Appropria-
ton bill, as fixed in the House. This bill reduced
the number of the men, but did not reduce the num-
Der pay of the officers, as he had proposed. The
members of the staff consequently, being in Wash
ton receive higher pay than officers of the grade
in the line, during actual service in Florida and else
where. This bill also, in regard to double rations
did not agree with the Appropriation bill He hoped
therefore, the House would adhere to its amend
ments in the latter bill, and not act the one now
under consideration. He moved to lay the bill for
organizing the army on the table, and his motion
called for the yeas and nays.
They were ord red.
Mr. STANLY here rose and moved the previous
question on the bill.
The effect of this motion was to cut off all amend
ments.
The motion to lay on the table was negatived by a
large maority.
On motion of Mr. STANLY, it was ordered that
the bill, as amended, should be printed.
The House then adjourned