Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-03-21
F0RTIETH CONGRESS.
This Afternoons Proceedings.
SATURDAY, March 81.

- SATURDAY, March 81.
SySATR.-After prayer, the reading of the
Journal was dispensed with.
Mr; Kamsey Introduced bill to reorganize
the Post Once Department Referred TO Com
mlttee on Post O11ces.
Mr. Vickers presented a memorial from GER
tain morocco manufacturers OF Baltimore ask
ing modincation OF the internal revenue laws
Referred TO Committee on Finance
Mr.. Wileon presented memorial from citizens
OF New Mexico, stating that Gen. Carlton and
others have purchased for a small sum certain
lands in the vicinity Of the Rio Grande, and
settlers on the lands, and they therefore ask
the passage of euch measures as are necessary
for their relief Referred to Committee on Ter
rltories.
A number Of other petitions were presented
The Post once appropriation bill was taken
up, amended and passed.
Mr.. Wilson introduced a joint resoluti
rendering the thanks Of Congress to DR. J. J.
Hays Referred to Committee on Naval AZ
Mr.: morrill,, Of Maine, called up the army
Mr.. Grimes said there had been charges made
in the journals that the amounts Of the appro-
priatlon bill had been increased in the Senate
ana that there was too m uch extravaganza dis
played In the Senate. Such was not the case
there was no appropriation bill which had
gre gate bad not been cut down by the Commit
tee on Appropriations. While he wse frank to
say this, he did not hesitate TO say that there
VNAS oPPioPilouous WHICH OuElf 10 De
creased; among them the item for army trans
portation. II needed much more now for this
purpose with the army at $4,000 than when il
Snly Sny ,n Numbered lieTc. and the appropriation
mr. wilson said II might be that some Of
tnese items were tso small, but he thought the
Senate had better adopt the bill as it came from
the House He was in hopes that in less than
ninety days it would be found perfectly feasible
to largely rpduce the army.
Mr. Grimes.-How are you going to do itf
y ThA~A n In
reducing the army. 1t will be easy enough TO
dispense with the men; the only trouble, if any,
viii be to get rid Of the large number of officers
he did not think any Indian wars need be
apprehended this season, and II would therefore
not be necessary TO keep up a large force on the
frontiers. The object now should be to reduce
all our expenditures as much as possible; IL not,
we should sosn have to provide additional
taxation.
Mr.. Sherman moved an amendment that
all balances Of unexpepded appropriations
into the Treasury with the surplus fund. ex-
cept such amount as may be necessary to meet
the demands of the current fiscal year.
MI. sherman understood that there was over
eighty millions Of unexpended APPROXIMATIONS
to the credit of the War Department, made
during the war; and he thought this money
ought to be covered into the Treasury
Mr.. Morrill,, of Maine, did not know enough 10
say whether it would be safe to adopt this
am endment.
The amendment was then adopted
Mr.. Davis offered an amendment that on and
after May 2, the army OF the United States shall
be reduced to 20.OO0 men.
Mr.. Wilson hoped the Senate would not
adopt the amendment He hoped in the
coprse Of three OF four months the army
would be reduced, but at this time il was i'm
possible to take action in the matter.
Mr.. Davis advocated his amendment.
Mr.. Hendricks was in favor of a reduction of
the army, but was not prepared TO vote to re-
duce II to 2O,UO men. The army was costing
us now $4,000 per man, thing unheard of in
of anxy -.
world. Such state Of things should attract
attention.
After further discussion, the amendment OF
MI Davis was rejected.
Mr.. Buckalew moved to reduce the army TO
$4,000 men.
Mr. Buckalew he'd not called for a division
upon the amendment of the Senator from Ken
lucky, because he was not satisfied that /
would be proper TO reduce the army so much
but be thought 1T could be safely placed at the
figure named in his amendment
House OF RKPRHsKNTArIvEs.-By vote of
the House yesterday il was ordered that this
days session should be devoted to debate only
as in Committee Of the Whole.
Mr.. Blair (Mich.) was entitled to the floor,
but yielded ten minutes of his time to
MI Newcomb (Mo.) who proceeded to ad-
Dress Ine House In opposition 20 what he stated
to @aS be t9s aesTTS theory that this was white
marks the time allotted HIM expired, and he
asked and obtained leave to print the balance
of his remarks.
Mr.. Blair (Mich.) addressed the House upon
the financial condition of the country.
Mr.. Niblack, (Ind-) referring to q remark
made by Mr. Blair, said he understood him to
say that the Democratic party had, as a party,
adopted the policy of paying the bonds in green
backs. He wished to correct that statement,
and be desired to assure Mr.. Blair that in
Indiana the Republican party took the utmost
pains to assert before the people this very
theory, OF the payment Of the bonds in green
backs; thus following the lead OF the gentleman
from Massachusetts, (Mr. Butler)
MI. Perham lMe.) next addressed the House
upon the finances, taxation, &c.
Mr. Woodward (Pa.) commended a speech
upon suffrage IN general, upon negro suffrage,
ana upon reconstruction, and was speaking
when our report closed.