Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-01-15
m. .pepdipe Mili,ary Bnl.

=.
In the House of Representatives, on Friday lastp
Mr.. Staples, of Virginia submitted the following
striking and manly remarks on Mr., Niles military
bill now pending in the House:
"Mr. Staples, of Virginia, who was entitled 70
the floor, moved to re-commit the bill and ameno-
ments to the military committee, and said that that
committee at the last session Of Congress- reported
bill similar to the one now under considerations
1t was rejected in the House by . decisive vote.
Let US earnestly hope that this bin may share the
same fate He had voted against the proposition
then and there nothing in the condition OF the
country, in the reasoning Of the honorable gen,
tleman from South Carolina fMr. Niles that would
induce him to change the opinion then entertained
He (Mr Staples) argued at considerable length 70
show that the Secretary Of War could not perform
the duties this bill would impose upon him tnat
he tthe Secretary would be compelled TO delegate
the power to innumerable boards and agents, ols-
persed throughout the country; that these ooaras
would open now sources of patronage and power
that they would be exposed to all the temptations
personal political and family influence to fraud,
corruption and bribery creating, by their decls'
ions, dissatisfaction among the people and discon-
tent in the army. He insisted that the expense of
an universal cOnscrption would be enormous; that
no man could estimate the injury inflicted upon all
the industrial interests of the country by the sud-
den stoppage of so many callings and pursuits un.
til the Secretary of War shall determine who shall
be detailed and for what purpose The honorable
gentleman from South Carolina says that Congress
cannot agree upon bill, The gentleman Is mis-,
taken. 1t may require time, but actual vote will
always test the sense of the House upon any proPo-
sition for exemption. The same process OF reason
ing would lead us to commit TO the PRESIDENT .ne
whole subject Of taxation and currency Upon tnat
question there wider differences Of opinion than
any other in the whole range of political economy
differences as to principle and differences as to de-
tail. But sir these difficulties do not relieve Oon-
gress from the obligation of maturing such meas
ures of finance the necessities of the country de-
mand. The whole subject Of conscription and ex-
empten belongs to Congress, and to Congress aone;
1t is legislative power, legislative discretion, ana
alegislative obligation Congress must declare war;
Congress must raise armies, Congress must deter
mine who are to compose the armies, and who are
to be exempt from military service. For the prop
er exercise of this trust the members are responsible
to their constituents, tothe country and to- pos
terity. Who SO capable of ,discharging this trust
as the men upon this floor, fresh from the peo-
ple and familiar with all their wants. their necessi-
ties, and the diversified interests of Al extensive
couptryf Why, sir, we are sent here for this pur-
pose; and when we acknowledge ourselves incapa-
BILE Of performing this legislative duty we should re-
sign our seats and go back and tell our consttu-
ents. This bill clothes the President with the
powers of an autocrat 1t invests him with prerog
atives before which those of Napoleon sink into IN
significance, Pass this BILL and no man can pur-
sac mechanical occupation, no man practice med,
iciue, publish newspaper, or ascend the pulpit ana
proclaim the tidings Of the &ospel without crawling
t. the footstool of power, and humbly asking per-
mI'sion from an omnipotent executive. Pass this
bill, and then commences the scramble for execu-
tive IA vor and patronage We shall have the War
deparn :ent and the Executive mansion beleaguered
6y an inuumerable throng of suppliants and beg.
gars for &" he thrift that follows fawning." Mem
bers of Cong ess will be expected to swell the host
of applicants We shall be seem hat in hand, crowd
ing the ANTERIOR rs of the War department. and the
avenues that lead to the executive office, humbly
asking for the detail of shoemaker, or tanner, on
minister of the GOSPEL for our constituents He
would not vote 10 expo Sc his constituents to ntu'
ences so demoralizing He would not subject him.
self to the loss of that ma Wy independence so nee
essary to representative OF the people in his whole
intercourse with the executiV departments OF the
government"