The New York herald., 1869-02-20
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE

RESOLUTIONS AND PETITIONS.
Mr. KEToHAM, (rep.) OF N. H.. presented the reso-
utions of the Assembly OF the State OF New York,
asking Congress to pension the surviving soldiers OF
the war OF 1912.
Mr. VAN wyCK, nep.) OF N. Y, presented similar
resolutions. Also the petition Of a thousand citi
zens OF Newburg, N. r., In favor a an amendment
to the Constitution Of the United States 80 as to
knowledge Almighty God rs the source Of all au-
thorty ana power in civn government, the Lord
Jesus Christ the ruler among nations and the Bible
as OF supreme authority.
Mr.. O'NslL, repl OF Pa, presented resolutions OF
to secure to American shipping in Spanish ports an
equalization Of tonnage dues and port charges with
those imposed on the shipping OF the most favored
nations.
The House then took up the amendments re-
ported from the Committee OF the Whole to tine Army
Appropriation bill. All the amendments reducing
the ordinary appropriations were agreed to.
lowed him, expressed his acknowledgements to Mr.
Butler, OF Mass for the great information contained
in his speech OF "Wednesday night but still he pre-
offered by Mr.. Butler. His faith In the capacity IN
tegrlty and purpose OF General Grant equaled that
80 beautifully expressed by the gentleman from
posed Y east vote today that would seem
He, too. wanted the supernumerary officers OF the
army pSsstered out; but he wanted them 10 be the
worthless oficers or those who may be summoned
Congress to snow Its trust and confidence General
Grant and not 10 deprive him BY crude lcxslation--
by a patchwork b-of the power to assure his great
aspiration, ,--"Let us have peacer Leave 10 him, no
said, the power TO retain soldiers enough TO make
the carpet baggers life safe In the wids Of Texas,
and the life OF the hardy pioneer on the plains as safe
as it would be in his New England or Pennsylvania
home.
Mr.. BLAINE rep.) Of Me-, appealed to the House
not to agree to The amendments striking out the item
OF 500 900 for military surveys, reducing the appro
pristions for the Rock Island Armory and Arsenal
from 81 900 900 10 $500.00J, OF to the amendment
offered by Mr. Butler, OF Massachusetts. for the re-
The Rock Island item provoked rapid and heated
discussion such as II usually does provoke whenever
the subject comes up. II was participated IN by
Messrs. Blaine, rrice, sconeld, Phelps, Benton
In the nlisl OF the discussion on Rock Island Mr.
BuTLER rcp.I Of Mass, obtained the moor ana made
final appeal TO the House In favor OF mis- amend
lied the amendment offered by Mr.. Blaine a. a
delusion IL only provided for consolidation as
srs vS no Se by ~ dsIa single dollar sayrd
single servant cut on; but the gentleman from
Pcnnsyvana lMr. Kelleyh new recruit,
House that IL must trust General Grant.
The difficulty was that the amendment proposed
BY the gentleman from Name did not Lst General
oncer The only trust they would nave 10 get rid or
an onlcer would be IN Almighty God 70 bring him to
gentleman IRON Pcnnsyvanla (afr Kelley said that
large army was necessary IN order 10 keep the
peace; put Y they maine the policy the moral power
OF the election OF General Grant would not keep the
peace In 1exas An army scattered over that terri
tory would be OF ayail. There was not gong to
be any organized opposition 70 an army. II was
going 10 be seathy murter; not In the presence OF
soldiers but sehilId their backs. Another fact was
that onefourth OF All the United States SOLDIERS In
tue Confederate army, ana they were not ~ be
relied upon In any question between their Old
As to the argument that the army would decrease by
natural depletion, he reminded The House that there
was aschool ut West Point which turned out officers
for the army as fast as oficers died. The argument
also had been made that members did not know
anything OF the subject aud that therefore they must
that he would say the constitution puts it on the
representatives OF the people. Any gentleman who
says he does not understand u had better learn or go
home--he has business here. II "a MS duty 10 un
derstand It. We have no business to come mere If
we do not how TO DO the duties which the con-
stltution devoves upoh The constitution sends
us here 10 legsatc to take the pss dtra OF any
man. Here Is a case OF economy. Here ls q saving
OF thirty millions Of taxes Let us see whether this
talk OF economy, this kicking OF some poor claim
ants this overthrowing or small appropriation for
some puDlic work IL TO occupy our time while this
great question Is to have the Ro-by
Mr.. BLAISE made an earnest appeal 10 the House
against the adoption OF Mr.. Butler's amendment.
Tie hoped the House wound not vote to deprive Gene
raj sherman Of the chance 10 attain the rank of
General OF the Army; and that u would not deprive
Generals sheridan Thomas OF the chance 70 attain
the grade Of Lieutenant General: and that 1t would
not render necessary the mastering out OF Generals
Meade or Hancock ~ Major Generals. That would
be the effect OF the adoption OF the amendment. lie
admitted that there was mucn in the amendment
thar was meritorous, but thsre provisions In 1t
which he thought the House would not approve.
1he amendment which he tar. Banc) had moved,
lust tied up the army so that there should be no APP
polntments or promotions until Congress could take
mold OF the whole question: and ny this means, under
The administration Of General Grant. the army could
be very rapidly reduced Ia CONCLUSION, he asked
consent TO modify his amendments
MIR. BUTiER objected
Mr.. BLAIsE-I only want to perfect nv amend
ment
MI. BrrIEn-You cannot perfect anything that is
bad all over.
Mr. BLAINE went on 70 say that under his plan tho
process OF reduction wouid begin me moment the
bin Was approved. II safe, prudent and wise 10
take this step, but II was dacult 10 50 bsyondu.
Mr.. boyLls, ldem.D OF Pa, asked uanililous con-
sent 20 oifer an amendment directing tne secretary
OF war TO consolidate The quarterAlaster's depart
mcnt the commissary department, aud the ray de-
parrulent into one department, TO DO called Che de-
partfnenf OF supply.
Mr.. HOOPER, lrep.J OF Mass objected.
The Rock Island APPROPRIATION was Htfll further
dcatcd by Ncssrs. Logan ana ituy ~ favot 81 lt,
ana br Maynard agaast H. finaliy We de0tle
eaded snn 'hc louse PROCEEDED 70 vote on me W..
ri0As amend1 1rie. 8N AlsA
gle a.IeAdJusll ssiklng out tho sa,a iVl laJ.ielY