Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-06-27
CONGRESSIONAL.
HOUSE OF REPREsENTATIvEs-Jus
GENERAL OFFICERS.

read twice. under the rule by title, and at length
Mr. HARRISON asked that the till be put its passage
without reference delay.
Mr. FARAN asked Mr. H. TO give way to enable him TO
amend the bill by adding section to increase the
pay Of volunteers to ten dollars q month
Mr. HARRISON said he could not yield the floor for
any amendments of that any provisions of the kind
necessary, let them be provided for in special bills for
the purpose Though the bill recognising the existence OF
of had passed the House the 18th May the or
ganzaon of the army yet completed not less than
twenty regiments had reached the camp of General Taylor
their march hither and they were yet without
officers He urgently requested that none Of the motions
usually resored for purposes delay might now be re-
sorted to. Mr. H. said he urged by gentlemen In all
quarters Of the House the previous questions he
dsiked very much TO do that but
Mr.. BRODHEAD here rose to order, and inquired OF the
Chairman whether the amendment proposed by the gentle
from Ohio {M FARAS) did not contain an appropria-
ton and if SO, whether it must not be committed
The CHAIR replied that the amendment had not been
received by the House The gentleman who proposed to
offer it not having had the floor to make his motion.
Mr.. STEPHENS pressed Mr. HAnALsos to delay his
motion for a moment
But Mr. HARRISON declined to do so and there
upon moved the previous question.
But, on counting the House refused second the call
Ayes &C, 81.
Mr.. CARROLL wished to obtain the floor
But Mr.. HARRISON, who again obtained it, refused
to comply with his request.
Mr. TOOMBS observed that this the third bill
which the House had been gagged and used indignant
language not distinctly heard by the reporter
Mr. COOKE offered the following amendment:
Strike all that provides for the appointment Of brgader
generals, and insert
State offered accepted under the of the 18th Of
May 1876, shall be sufficient constitute brigade, brga
der general the command of the shall be appointed
by the authority that State which they belong the
prescribed by the law of said State
Mr.. STEPHENS then took the floor, (Mr. CocKE yield
ing and remarked that he opposed to putting the bill up
its passage this 1t involved consequences of
much Importance The House should take time TO consider
its provisions and deliberate duly upon them This the
second supplemental bill we have had And if pass
this he expected in few days third, and then perhaps
fourth All this grew of the haste with which this House
has acted upon this subject from the beginning If the og
nal bill had hurried through the House, and
passed within hours by the gag would not have equr
ed much patchwork by OF supplemental bills to
feet it.
Mr.. HARRISON The gentleman, his colleague, had
complained Of the hasy legislation of the House these
bills and had remarked the number Of supplemental bills
which had been thought necessary to introduce But the
gentleman ought remember that of these supplement
tai bills would have been necessary, the Senate had not
modified the original bill by striking of it the very provi
sons which these bills contained. The bill it from
the House provided for all these details. Mr. H. here quoted
the fifth secion But this had been stricken out by the Sen
ate and hence the necessity for the additional and supplement
tai bills of which his colleague complained MIR. H. had
deemed necessary make these remarks justification of
the Committee Military Affairs
Mr.. STEPHENS continued. | did not intend, Mr..
Speaker to cast any upon the chairman Of the Com
mittee Military Affairs upon the committee itself am
speaking against the great improperly of proceeding in such
and elaboration Why, sir this bill has just been read the
first time. venture say that there fifteen in
the House, saving the Committee Military Affairs, who
understand its provisions Let be referred committee
let be printed let let understand and lei
know what will be its operation. And then, perhaps,
shall not have pass another supplemental amendaory
There and principles involved in this bill which
should like to consider before am willing give
Tor II, either another for against it. do not
wish ebaass the earliest and efficient organization
raIsed-I
sir there grave principles and important Ones involved
in this measure-constutonal questions-whch wish
have time consider. disposed to think that the off
of the volunteers should be elected by the volunteers
themselves This bill, if understand it. gives the appoint
ment of the bigadier generals to the President Why is
this If these volunteers be considered State troops
and part of the militia the President of course under the
constitution, should appoint their officers and they
to be considered portion Of the regular armyand know
of but two kinds Of service either militia United States
why it that the President does appoint the colonies and
the other officers of the regiments and companies.
This is anomalous service, say the least Of it, and
want time to consdert want any event, to the
appointment of their higher officers the volunteers them
selves There can be objection in allowing them to
select their bgader generals than there their election of
their colonies and captains and others therefore that
the bill be committed to the Committee Military Affairs,
with the following instructions
" To report bill providing that in all where any
State has furnished sufficient number of volunteers make
brigade shall be ocered in all respects according to the
laws OF said State"
Mr.. CHAPMAN, of Alabama, thought it high time
The provisions Of the bill sufficiently under
Stood and had all discussed before this bill did
the House had desired do when they passed the first
bill. He, therefore, demanded the previous question
Mr. YOUNG wanted Mr.. Z. to withdraw the call, ena-
bic him TO offer an amendment, which he indicated
But Mr. G. declined, and persisted in his call.
The question being taken secondng II, the yeas
TO- the "a So the House refused second the CALL
Mr. YANCEY said he in favor of the recommitment
of the bill with instructions that the general officers should
be elected by the officers Of the bgades and commissioned by
the President He would amendment to that effect,
amendment to the amendment of the gentleman from
Georgia, (Mr. SrEPHESs)
Mr. GENTRY reminded Mr. Y. that the amendment pro-
posed by Mr. STEPHENS required the officers to be appointed
according the laws Of the States which the bgades
divisions to be differed might belong.
Mr.. YANCEY, resuming, said that in States there
law the subject but the present BILL if amended
he DESIRED would make law for the Mr. Y.
sdered volunteers be militia and such entitled to the
privilege Of eectng their officers species of troops
like these have entire confidence their officers they
fit be led into action. They had discipline
habits of military obedience supply the place Of per-
sonal confidence Great noise and confusion prevailed in the
House
Mr. BURT and commenced to address the House, but
for some time could not be heard at ALL
The CHAIN directed him to pause till order restored
When heard Mr. BuRr observing that the amendment
proposed by his friend from Alabama (Mr YAScEr) was
utterly impraccabe, all must at who understood
the organization Of army II the volunteers elected their
officers who commissioned by the Executives