Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1858-03-10
The Army Bill Defeated.

The strenuous effort of the administration to
obtain an appropriation for the increase Of our
army force, has at length been neutraIizcd-
ms Is one OF the most noble steps towards re-
form and progress our country has evinced in
long time, and it really seems to those who de-
alre peace and harmony, and frugal DISPOSE
ton OF the national funds, nearer approach
to the good time coming"
When monarch like James Buchanan in
iilcts wrong and injustice upon his subjects, he
feels Insecure to retain his position without the
aid OF bayonets. He solcits an augmentation
OF the army and naval forces; and for what
purpose lie cannot answer, for ne does not
know The feeling probably possesses him that
something startling is about to break forth
Perhaps he may need it to protect him from the
clutches of an outraged people, or to forciblv
enforce his nefarious projects.
The United States is no more in need Of A
large standing army than James Buchanan is in
need of knavery. When occasion requires II
force sufficient to repcl any nation on the
globe may be raised in twenty-four hours and
he knows that at this moment our military force
IS ten times greater than we have any use for.
Then, why this bowling by the press of the Sa-
tanic Democracy about the necessity for an in
crease of the militia ? Because their master
demands it. Why does he demand it? Be
casse ne may need it to defend his person, the
Fugitive Slave Law, the bred Scott decision. or
his insane determination to enforce his dire(ul
Lecompton outrage upon the free people of
Kansas lie feels the necessity of it. for some
purpose. The hue and cry about COMMITTING q
'e'isious persecution upon the Mormons, and
putting them all to the sword is the merest
moonshine. The argument that all our troons
afe needed to defend the whites from Indian
massacre, is equally fimsy BY proper use.
one-tenth of CUT forces would uuell all disturb
ances by the Indians in our western territories,
Let us look for moment at the extrayarance
OF the government in sustaining a standing ar
N.Y. In 1856, over eighteen millions of dollars
were appropriated for the army alone. Eiysl,-
teen millions "a sum mrch larger than was,
formerly required for all the expenses of cov-
eFnmcnt-war, navy, and all other departments.
why cxpend such enormous sums to s,pnort =
department which is not needed IF is not ba-
cause the people want it; they never petition
tor 1t; they generally consider it worse than
thrown away. Then why is the effort made, to
increase these appropriations from year to year2
because there is power behind the throne
greater than the throne itself" Because tbasa
appropriations pay the army officers 50 bounti-
July that they have the means to spend their
winters ut " Washington to beg for further an
Preparations; and the tactics they study and
exercise with the most consummatc skill IS dis
played in controlling the Secretary, President
snd mcmbe's of Congress, in granting these
enormous sums, year after year, in opposition to
the will of the people.
We pay 1000 officers 'phat" salaries to do
nothing, or to spend part of their time in cleo
pioneering for still greater salaries: and At this
business they are exceedingly industrious. Last
year they managed to get their pay increased
from 81 1926 to $500 cach--an AVERAGE of $500
for 1000 officers sum greater than the la
boring mechanics average in this whole coup-
try. magnanimous government!
Now let us take a short peep at the navy
the pet institution of the United States, and
next to the army, the general fayorite on which
IS bestowed the surplus treasure The naval
appropriations for the year 1856. amounted 70
s1l,59i,oo0; of which 5000, 500 were exnen-
ded III the equipment and repairs of antiouated
vessels. This splendid sum was not used to
build the fleet, but simply for repairs and ecuin-
ments; and now, after this expenditure the
whole United States Navy is not worth and
could not be sold for 1.-THE of what it cost fo.
repairs -... .....
For pay of officers Marines Sc, for '56 they
succeeded i'll getting the round appropriation of
S3,7i4, 95l, and the valuable time and brilliant
talents of our gallant naval officers is fully en-
ployed in spending each his allotted portion of
the aforesaid appropriation. The time of these
officers is too valuable, and it is entirely be-
meath their dignity to attend to the building or
fitting up of government vessels
But when we commenced, it was merely our
design to announce the fate of the Army Bill,
and to congratulate our readers upon the con
summation 50 devoutly TO be wished for"