The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-27

commended was the principal object of the gentlemen on
tba ober side Ought they not he asked in such crisis
as this to rise above all party considerations Would
no, gentlemen then, give the President the power which
he had called for Or would they by refusing TO do
force him retain in service men IN whom ne had not
Mr.. NEWTON then addressed the committee After
brief personal explanation IN reference 10 the comments
of the National nellgencer on his vote upon the Will
NOT proyiso Sc he ayowed himself in favor OF a vigo-
rous prosecution of the but not In favor OF the APP
pointment of lieutenant general He believed that his
constituents would not favor any measure which would
go to tarnsh the of General Taylor He would not
then have General Scott even supersede HIM lie would
vote IN favor OF man 10 take the chief command oul
General Taylor He would favor vigorous prosecq-
ton OF the war, because he believed that II was the only
way of obtaining a speedy and honorable peace II was
too late after all the blood which had been shed by the
soldiers, and all the tears which mad been poured OUT o
their widows and orphan children-lt was TOO late
10 withdraw their troops In his section all eyes were
directed to General Taylor and not 10 Washington; and
the people looked 10 hun for the successful prosecution Oh
Mr.. SCHENCK said he had intended TO present his
views at length in regard some OF the measures con-
neced with the war; but as the present occasion would
afford HIM adequate lime 10 present ms views as luny
he had designed 10 do, he would conlne himself 10 me
question directly before them. This proposition to appoint
lieutenant general new thing, as ne proceened
10 show He had hoped when tins proposition was loT-
merly before them, and defeated, that II had been hnay
put rest, although he heard nhmaons that was 10
to be brought up the heel OF the session II now a
peared that he had been correctly informed ana lhai
not only this but every other measure which the Exec
uiive had recommended was TO be pushed through lie
ielt it due the country, therefore, that those VINO
were opposed these should have an opporu-
nifty OF stating their objections BY the proposition now
before them they were TO appoint general 10 command
generals and his view, would not save ue ieeilngs
of the officers already in the field The proposition was
even more objectionable than the former one for the ac-
compishment Of the object, for various reasons
which he named The gentleman had said that Generals
Taylor and Scott candidates for the presidency and
therefore should not command the army II they were
candidates for the presidency was SIMPLY because theu
sucrps in hattie had made them
Mr. COOKE briefly addressed the committee in oppo-
son to the amendment The appointment OF one OH
Ger to the command OF the army IN Mexico having
proved disastrous in its results, he contended that
they ought sanction the appointment OF another
superior officer in the manner proposed by this amend
ment.
The hour OF 9 o'clock 30 minutes having arrived, the
Speakers hammer FELL and the committee proceeded TO
THE VOTE
Mr.. ANDREW JOHNSON moved to amend the list
section by adding the following
Pyorided That nothing this shall be construed
as 10 authorize the appointment OF any member of Con-
yres be geneassno OF the army of the United States
who does now has heretofore entertained and expressed
the following opinion That the incorporation OF the left
bank of the Rio del Norte into the American Union, by
virtue of treaty with Texas comprehendng the said
Incorporation would do part the Mexican departments
of New Mexico, Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Tamauipas,
would be Of direct aggression on Mexico for all the
consequences Of which the United States would be epon
sble : and also the following opinion: Il consider the
marching upon the Rio Grande being unfortunate, and
suited and also the following: They, the President and
his Secretary of State made the war themselves and made
Pediousiy clandesney, and pratt
caly The orders TO army and navy pratt
cal, for they without law, to waylay and attack a
friendly power with whom we mad treaty OF amity and
member OF court martial would sentence 10 be shot
officer OF the army or navy who should dare TO attack
Mexican troops or ships, or citles under that order
Mr. KAUFMAN rose to point of order as to the ad
instability of the amendment at this time, when
Mr.. JOHNSON withdrew his amendment for the time
being.
Mr.. BOYD moved to amend the amendment OF the
Committee on Military Affairs, (the section % by
striking out the words during the continuance OF the
war with Mexco:" which was agreed 10.
amendment, by striking out the words "who may be-"
and substituting who " which was not agreed
Mr.. ANDREW JOHNSON again submitted his
amendment, given above; which rejected on divs-
ion, BY yeas 81, nays 50.
Mr.. COOKE submitted the following proviso; which
ruled out OF order:
Prorided, That nothing herein contained shall be
sued into approval of the act of the President in per
uniting Santa Anna 10 return TO Mexico"
The amendment of the Military Committee 1.-THE new
cd section] as amended was then agreed to-
Mr. G.. w. JONES moved 10 amend the amendment TO
the 5th section by striking the words fill by regu-
lar promotion orr so as to provide that the officers shall
be elected in all cases; which amendment was negaved
on division, by yeas SO, nays 81.
Mr. ROOT offered the following proviso;
'' Provdsa, That person now holding Office in the
Mexican army or government shall be appointed by the
President nderauihor Of this act 10 any office in the
army Of the United States"
The CHAIR ruled the amendment out OF order.
Mr., ROOT appealed but the decision OF the Chair
Mr. ANDREW JOHNSON moved TO add the following
proyiso; which was rejected by yeas -, nays Sc:
"Prordcd, That nothing in this shall be construed
authorize the President OF the United States 10 appoint
any member of Congress comnander-in-cheE"
The remaining amendments OF the Committee Mill
ary Affairs having been agreed to, the bill was read by
sections.
Mr. G. DAVIS moved TO amend the second section, so
TO provide that the general officer designated therein
shall be selected from the volunteer corps now in
vice which not agreed to.
Mr.. j. A ROCKWELL moved the following amend
ment:
'.Provded, That no person a member of either
House Congress shan be appointed any office created
sndcr this act
E, Mr. G. w JONES moved TO amend the amendment by
striking out the words appointed to-, and substitute
therefor, compelled 10 accept which was agreed TO-
The amendment as amended was then rejected
Mr. MCKAY moved 10 add the following a
ton:
Be IL further enacted, That for the purpose OF avoiding
unnecessary expenses the military establishment, ncu
ding volunteers the President of the United States be- and
lac hereby, authorized Of failure IN hng The
and file of regiment regiments, consolidate
such deficient regiment regiments, and discharge all
peumerary officers Pyorided That officers discharged
Shall be allowed addition the mileage already author
lied by law, three months pay TO each"
Mr. Mex. also moved sectisn providing for the
discharge of the officers and men authorized TO be appoint
ed and raised by this act, at the expiration OF the war
which agreed to.
Or motion, the committee rose and reported the bill
with the amendments
Mr.. BRINKERHOFF moved the previous question,
which seconded and the main question was ordered
TO be put
The question being on agreeing the second Ia newt
section, the yeas and ordered and being
resulted yeas ll2, nays 81, as follows: