The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-06

there were in all but thirtynine thousand enlisted
men and non-commissioned officers Tnev nad,
| however the number Of officers required Tor sixty
| regiments In his Judgment large number OF those
ocers should be allowed to retain their pOeitiOnss
but with a1e present s,penS Of Of me e country there
| ought to be some reduction. The COMMITTEE on
| Appropriations, however did not feel ut liberty to
adjust the proportions OF the bill 10 what the CON-
mittee thought ought TO be the size OF the army.
Mr. BROOKS asked Mr.. Blaine whether there was
a Mr. BLAfsH SAID he Would 1 De Very glad Il with the
consent OF the gentlemen from Ohio Mr. Schenck) or
the gentleman from Illinois tMr Loganl-he believed
they were both interested in 1.-THE could otter pro-
vso to this bill for reduction OF the army. He de-
cned to do IT, because having been voted down last
| reb I'M.
Mr. BRooKs-To what committee does the subject
| belonga
Mr.. BLAINE-To the Military Committee, of course.
Mr.. BRooEs-Is that committee likely TO have q
chance TO report during this Congress
Mr.. BLAME think not.
Mr. LOGAN (rep.) OF H., said he had not the
slightest objection TO any amendment that would be
army, il the reductions were only to be made il the
proper way. He had opposed the bill last session.
because he believed the mode OF reduction which 1t
proposed to be improper The officers should be
reduced in proportlonate ratio with the men, SO
that there would not be more officers than were re-
CURED for the number of men.
Mr.. BLAINE suggested that as the bill would run
all through tomorrow, and as on Mondays motions
70 suspend Ie rules are IN order mo.lon 70 sus
10 allow the Offering OF an amendment to reduce the
army II any gentleman could in the meantime devise
Mr.. GARFIELD (rep.) OF Ohio reminded the House
that the Committee on Military Affairs had at the
last session reported bill, well prepared and well
considered for the reduction of the army, but that
as II did not meet the views or the members OF the
House II had been overloaded with amendments and
thus Killed. The committee had not been called
this session, except In the first days OF the session,
wnen the secretary of War and the General Of the
Army desired that, in view OF Indian hOstllites,
reduction OF the army should be made. The COM
miitee was ready at any time for the last eight
months 10 report measure or reduction, and
II the House consented he Thought he would
be ready by Monday to report some measure which
he hoped would receive the sanction Of the House.
He had some doubts, however, whether they ought
not TO wait for the suggestions and recommendations
OF the incoming administration.
Mr.. BLAINE remarked that he had only been wish
ing TO open the door to the gentleman from Ohio
pectng mat he would be ready 70 enter in, as he had
been so ready to enter in on the Indian Appropria
ton bill
In reference to the Indian Bureau Mr.. Garfield said
he would accept the gentleman's open door and the
Committee on Military Affairs would be ready to walk
In next Monday, he presumed.
The bill was further discussed by Messrs. LAW
RENEE OF Ohio, BLAINE, GARFIELD, PILE, LOGAN,
WINDOW, BUTLER and WOOD, in the course Of which
Mr.. GARFIELD showed that during the past year i've
hundred officers had left the army.
Mr.. FARNwoRTH, trep:l Of H., said that as every
body seemed TO be in favor OF the reduction Of the
army at the earliest possible moment, and as the
chairman OF the Committee on Military Affairs pro-
fessed to be ready TO report an amendment for that
express purpose, he would now ask the unanimous
consent that the chairman OF Committee on Military
Affairs might move his amendment TO this bill, and
that II be printed.
Unanimous consent was given.
Mr.. BLAINE remarked that the amendment would
be held to be In order at the end of the BILL
That was 80 agreed to and Mr.. GARFIELD stated
that the Committee on Military Affairs would offer
the proposed amendment at the end of the bill
After some further discussion the House at hall
past four took recess until half-ias seven, the
evening session to be for general debate.
Evening Session.
The House resumed its session in Committee Of
the Whole at half-past seven, Mr. Maynard III the
chair.
CURRENCY AND FINANCE.
Mr.. JULIAN, (rep.) OF Ind, addressed the CON-
mittee on the subject Of finances, arguing that the
resumption OF specie payment could not be fixed by
legislation, but must depend on the natural course
OF trade-on the events which could neither
be governed nor foreseen. He referred to
staiictics to show the immense increase Of the
great material interests or the country within some
yearg past and to sustain his proposition that the
country growing SO fast that there should be
apprehension felt abont the ability to pay the
tional debt. The true financial policy Of the gov
eminent he held to be that of mastery inactivity.
Mr. JULIAN was followed by Messrs. BgooMALL,
trepl OF Pa. and PRUYS, dem) OF n. ", VINO con-
tinued the discussion upon finances until haif-past
ten O'Clock, at which time the House adjourned