The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-25


OF the representatives here to take care of the ex-
posed part Of this nation at any cost. II was not
question Of economy, but one of protection or aban
Comment. Let gentlemen make retrenGhineh.
where IL is needed. The plains now inhaDited
by moving masses in the current Of emigration TO
Oregon and California; and shall citizens oil the
United States, impelled in that direction oy enter
prise and more inviting soil be Abandoned 70 tue
depredatons of the savages!
Mr. THOMPSON, Of Mississippi said that il was
generally believed that something should be done.
He wanted TO know from the gentleman, who was
ON the Military committee, whether II had been as
certaincd what force was necessary, whether there
should be any infantry, or only mounted men, and
whether the force ought to be limited.
Mr. CARTER replied, that the bill was based on
the recommendations of the Secretary of War,
The committee supposed that there was in the Elk
ecutive Department some discretion in the way OF
economy The bill proposes maximum and limit
to the number in each company.
Mr.. THOMPSON inquired why the committee
did not limit the number of mounted men, and
not merely the number to be added TO each com
pany.
: Mr. CARTER said that the bill proposed to take
young frontiersmen, and all it designed was to fill
up the companies A spirit of economy having
been manifested, he would direct attention to the
vicious idleness of officers of the navy, who were
quartercd this Government. National justice
demanded that the bill should be passed
MIR. HARRISON said that he was in favor OF the
objects of the bill, but he wanted it amended in
some particulars. He desired to have the number
of mounted men specified, and not left to the discre-
ton Of the President.
Mr.. CARTER remarked that, if this was the cx-
tent of the opposition, why did not gentlemen give
q better mode of protection than that proposed
Mr.. HARRISON was understood to ask that the
House go into Committee of the Whole on the state
of the Union, where the bill might be amended.
4 Mr. CARTER said that the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs had offered one amendment after an
other and the bill was the result of their labors.
His opinion was that it would not be improved by
amendment.
Mr. COBB, of Alabama, read an extract from the
report of the Adjutant General, to show that the
whole number of men in service was ten thousand
five hundred and eighty seven. In addition, not
reported, eight assistant adjutants general, sixteen
assistant quartermasteis. At Troy, New york,
Detroit, Michigan, and Fort Monroe, there are
eighteen hundred and forty seven. Such forces
there, he insisted, were not necessary.
Mr.. BURT assured the House that the gentleman
was fair sample of those who object 10 the bill,
and what he had said satisfied the House conclu-
svely that he was most profoundly ignorant OF the
whole subject. The gentleman alludes to ordnance
men. Did he know what ordnance men were! III he
did not he ought not to get up and make a state
ment about which he had not informed himself.
Mr. COBB remarked that he had made state
ment as to the number OF men now In actual ser
vice, namely: ten thousand eight hundred and
seventy five.
Mr. BURT said that lac was ready to make a
truce with the gentleman. He would not under
take to enghten the House, but only to give infor-
nation. These companies, or skeletons OF compa-
Mes that at the different posts indicated In the
report of the Adiutant General TO take care OF
the public property. He challenged any gentle.
man to get up, on his own responsibility, and say
that any number of privates are at this moment
not usefully employed.
MIR COBB would like the gentleman to inform
him how many employed at St. Louis.
Mr.. BURT asked, does the gentleman know
what ordnance men are. Ii he does know, what
are their duties (?
NJ I;ohta tha aa
you seem to possess all the information.
Mr.. BURT. The House cannot fail to see the
character of such remarks. He would say, in
justice TO the Secretary of War, that there was nc
man at the head of the Department who had made
a more judicious and prompt disposition of the
troops than he had. He was political friend o.
the Secretary, but he would not be silent when
such remarks were made as to the ofhcers oil h'
Government. lie would not withhold an expires
sion of his appreciation towards gentleman wht
had performed his duty.
MIR. COBB. Will the gentleman let me say
Mr.. BURT. will give him the floor.
Mr.. COBB said that he had not spoken solitary
disrespectfu word against any officer Of the Gov
ernmcnt, and he would not allow the gentleman Il
place him in false position before the country.
MIR. MASON had intended TO make few re
marks, but the bill had been debated he did no
suppose that any remarks of his would enhghtel
the House, and, therefore, he felt bound TO NOV
! the previous question.
The demand seconded.
|
ment.
Mr. BURT and others objected.
! Mr.. HARRISON was understood 10 say that h
merely wanted to limit the number Of men 10 b.
mounted.
! The question was taken on referring the bill t.
the Committee of the Whole on the state of tn,
Union, and decided in the negstiye-yeas 81, nayi
| 40.
The amendment Of the Committee on Military
Affairs agreed to, viz Sand TO cause such por
tons Of the army as may by law be serving on foo
10 be properly equipped and mounted"
Further proceedings took place, when
| The SPEAKER recognised the gentleman iron
South Carolina, (Mr. BURT)
| Mr.. THOMPSON, Of Mississippi, claimed tn
| floor. He had no idea Of being cheated out OF II
| mir. Com, Of Alabama, asked him TO take back tn
eIPression.l He said that he would take nothing
back. The Chair had assigned him the floor, AM
| he had given way for the bill, matter of form
| TO be read the third time To now give the floor
the gentleman from South Carolina in dero
CATION Of his (Mr. TED rights
| The SPEAKER said that when the bill or
dered 10 third reading, the gentleman from Mis-
sissppi asked the Chair If the bill was its pas
sage. The Chair replied that IL had been ordere
10 third reading but had not been read a thir
time; and the bill was read third time. IL wa
then that the gentleman from South Carolina wa
recognised as being entitled to the floor on the pas
sage Of the bill
Mr.. THOMPSON replied that nc merely CAV
way for the bill 10 be read third time. He bad N
intention Of resigning the floor. He could hay
proceeded with any motion. He could have move
10 lay the bill upon the table, 10 print IT, 10 "a
commit IL with instructions; but he yielded the foo
for the bill 10 be read a third time.
Mr.. BURT desired TO say, II the gentleman sur
posed that there was any arrangement between IN
Speaker and himself that he should be recognise
az being entitled 10 the floor, there no found,
ton for such belief
Mr.. THOMPSON obser, ed that he had made n
such charge or insinuation.
Mr.. BURT had submitted the remark in justic
70 the Speaker, lest any body should suppose tn;
he had entered into such arrangement. II
then moved the previous question; and under b
operation the bill was passed-yeas lO7, nays SO.
| 1.-THE bill authorizes the President Of the Unite
States TO increase the number Of pryates in eac
company the western frontier, from forty -tw
10 not exceeding seventy -four, 30 long as the pu
lie service may require the same, and 10 cause SUD
portions Of the army may by law be serving 9
foot 10 be properly equipped and mounted.l
On motion Of Mr.. THOMAS, the House went in
Committee of the Whole House on the private ca
endar; but, without coming TO any conclusion
/ rose, when
The House adjourned until Monday
FUEL AND SALT MAEuTAcTURE.-The Syracu
New York; Star, in urging the construction
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