The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-03-04
THE DEBATE on THE ARMY BILL.
PROVISIONS OF THE ORIGINAL BILL
Opposition Of Senator'S To,mbs, Hale,
Fessend n, Foster, &c.
vcIEs ON THE aMEsoM, NTs AND SUBSTITUTES

Final Vote and Defeat Of the
Bill,
Tho bill reported 70 the Senate by the Committee on
Military Affairs, for Increasing the army, came up for
debate in thai body Tuesday, January 49, 1853 The
debate upsu the question was in many ways . remark
sbe one, and is result, in the defeat Of the BILL of
most momentous character. The bill was adminstrA-
uon one and asked for nothing than absolutely
needed In the present exgency, with portion Of the
United States Territory in open rebellion Yet most in-
congruous combination formed TO defeat it. All the
New England Sep0fs to a man opposed TO it, on
tho shallow pretc that the President demanded in
crease Of the army for the purpose o. reducing Kansas
submission 70 the slave power The Southern ultra fire
eaters, Of small cabre, also opposed IT, 50 did many
Of the Western Senators. But, strange TO say,
william r. Seward of New York, Hunter of Georgia. and
Jefferson Davis Of Mississippi, found the same
side, strenuously advocating administration
giving greater power the Executive The debate the
WHOLE Of the most interesting whoh has occurred
in the Senate for many day. will be from the
subjoibed sketch Of IT.
The bill provides for the increase of tho military estab
shment Of the United States TO the extent of about four
thousand men. The following are its PROVISIONS
The section proposes add each of the regiments
s0mpsns BE- in the as se
Ae Dy an S E sS
same provisions and benefits IN every respect as are autho
and articles Of war and the enlisted are be recruited
in the other roopr with the conditions
second section authorizes the President Of the United
panies Of the army serving the and
satonr number exceeding ninety this increase
in an respects, as other soldiers Of he army
M % ae
exceeding heen in the Judgment OF the Pres lent
appointed in the and in all respects
% s
70 vacancies occurring IN hs grades Of commits
corps instead Of by Of service, regu
lated and provided In certain cases
Mr.. roorBs (dem Of Ca, broke ground in the debate
by opposing the rst section Of the BILL He asked the
chairman Of the Committee Military Affairs what add
ton the orst aud second sections Of the bill would make
70 the numbers Of the Aymyf Ard the chairman (Mr.
Davis explained that the first section would add thirty
pshies, and the second secton with the arst, will
crease the army by near six thousand men.
Mr. TooMB then moved TO strike out the frst section.
He thought Thai the made by the second sector
would be sufficient We have already army OF about
eighteen thousand The second section Of the bill
would increase II 10 about twenty three thousand He
not informed Of any necessity for increase be-
fact yet; it does lot exist Congress, said Mr.
Toombs, which alone has the power TO make war, has
not spoken and it isvery certain, unless country
has undergone q silent revolution, that the Presl
dent cannot make that II is very certain that
less the Senate and House Of Representatives intend
20 In the downward path Of vestng all the powers Of
government conhded 70 the legislative department in
Executive, this does not exist in contemplation OF law
II be the intent simply IN time Of peace, with an ex
hausted treasury, without the pretence OF Indian
TO increase the army 70 twenty six or twony thou
sand men am opposed 70 it, and shall oppose it in all 1t
rybg on the Mormon war twenty two thousand men will
be enough; four regiments will be enough. Tho force
Of brigham Young rs masnifed merely for the pur-
pose Of getting regiments In quarters. Tho
story has been told 10 Congress, think, three four
times since have been member Of the public councils.
three Years ago. and saia, We are soios to have
Indian war along tho frontier" Stories were
Manufactured in the newspapers, and they came 70
Congress and got the regiments; and when they got
the regmenU We had peace instantly. The regiments,
when mustered, not 70 be gotten rid Of they
permanent officers, fastened on the community until
have q revolution There Ia nothing in tho times, sir;
there Ia nothing in the condition OF co,ntry there
nothing in is finances there nothing IN those distract
ing questions which now sgsate IT, and nothing In
the future which max II either wise prudent for the
American senate and House Of Representatives enlarge
the military forces OF the United States republican
government should rest upon and be defended by
people, and wnep they are unwilling unit 10 defend il,
the sooner they get master the better.
Mr. DAVIS replied 10 Mr.. Toombe He adn.t,sd that tho
theory of peace establishment that Of a small
army 10 be Increased ~ exigencies demanded 70 have
skeleson ,s!, ARMY IN , peace, % 70 be nea ed % time Of Of
add two companies 10 each regiment, making the
number twelve The Mormon war Is not the motive for
this proposed measure. II is true there
with the Mormons. He understood that the advance OF
the troops towards Salt lake for the purpose OF pro
tectng officers entrusted with the execution Of the
laws The proposal 10 call out the militia, 10 the
execution OF the laws In Utah. Is absurd No one can
seriously defend H. Doubtless the Indians there In
disturbed condition Emigration at this time In dangerous
will be happy event n the sending Of troops there
sha have the effect OF enforcing the execution Of the
laws and OF suppressng the hoetliues Of the Indians
Doubtless these Indiana have been unfavoraby affected
by the character Of the settlers there. largo losses
were constantly occurring frontiers, and there
were continual applications TO the government for
remuneration, until had become, In fact, insurers.
hope, therefore, Continued Mr. Davs) that the hrst
section Of this bill win not be stricken out believe that
II will render the army more efficient believe that
when no hoetties eIit when necessity for actual
operations shall require the companies 10 be fed up 70
the large standard proposed by reducing them 70 y two
shall have skeleton or peace establishment better
suited 10 the purposes OF government In time OF
believe also, that this will furnish q convenient
ganzauon whenever shall think proper TO adopt t;
making three battaons 10 each regiment having two In
actual service, and the third battalion dsbandcd when
there shall be necessity for Il, but called into service
~ regular volunteer or militia troops, and added V the
two battaions which constitute the permanent regiment
These principal for proposing the addition
OF two companies 10 each regiment and these are the con
siderations for which insist on It's not being stricken
out
Mr. Hrrnp (dem) Of Va, said that II the difficulties In
Utah were ne cause o this measure he thought there
difficulties settled. The law Of 1850 already allowed
the President 10 keep the companies 10 the number OF
seventy four. What need Of an increase beyond thsS
There no more ground Of apprehension from the Indians
than there has been heretofore We have, besides
tered into an expensive system with regard 10 them and
they were constantly diminishing In numbers He thought
Mr. Davis bill was the best that could be introduced
for the purpose Of increasing the army and said he would
vote for II the clause he alluded 70 was inserted.
that the military service ass year was s2s 600 600 or
900 900 beyond the appropriation. The expenditure Of
the country At the most expensive d the revelation,
was but s24 600 ,oeo When he (hr H. into Con-
ress, the army cost us about 81 900 per Now tits
81 500 There no retreat back track In matters o.
expenditure He argued that army increasing 70
an extent that may be dangerous. Prcsexs will nct be
wanting 70 use the military 70 The danger of the civil
interests OF the country.
But Mr.. Hale exhibited the true arirum Of the
New England niger worshipper when he said
What does the President want with this army Let
read note that gives definite and o1cia Information
regard 10 matters About which remarks have
been made. read from khe sS army register, on the