The New York herald., 1869-02-20
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Is, Il

RESOLUTIONS AND PETITIONS.
Mr.. KETcHAM, (repl OF N. H., presented the reso-
lutions OF the Assembly Of tine State Of New York,
asking Congress pension the surviving soldiers OF
the war Of 1912.
Mr.. VAN wYoK. Crep.) OF N. Y presented similar
resolutions. Also the petition OF thousand citi-
zens Of Newburg, n r., in favor Of an amendment
to the Constitution Of the United States 80 as to
knowledge Almighty God as the source Of all au-
thorty and power in civil government, the Lord
Jesus Christ AS the ruler among nations and the Bible
as OF supreme authority.
Mr.; o'NsI (rep;l 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 tie Committee OF the Whole to the Army
Appropriation bill. All the amendments reducing
the ordinary appropriations were agreed to.
Mr.. KELLEY, (rep) OF Pa, having ten minutes al
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-
ferred the amendment offered by Mr. Blaine to that
offered by Mr.. Butler. His faith in the capacity, In
tegrity and purpose OF General Grant equaed that
so beautifully expressed by the gentleman from
posed tC cast vote to-day that would seem
e to imply sck ,S q N General General Grant S
army n;.stered out; but he wanted them to be the
worthless officers, or those who may be summoned
Congress to Its trust and confidence In General
Grant and not to deprive him by crude legislation
by patchwork bill0f the power to assure his great
aspiration us have peace.n Leave TO him. he
said, the power to retain soldiers enough to make
the carpet bagger's llfe sale IN tne wids oI Texas
rs 1t would be in his New England or pennsylvania
home.
not to agree to The amendments striking out the item
OF $20C 600 for military surveys, reducing the appro-
priations for the Rock Island Armory and Arsenal
frnx onn anl fn m Tn lp lima
offered by Mr.. Butler OF Massachusetts. Tor the re-
duction Of the army.
discussion such as usually does provoke whenever
the subject comes up. IL was participated In by
Messrs. Blaine, Price. sconeld, Phelps, Benton,
In the midst or the discussion on Rock Island Mr..
BUTLER, rep) Of Mass, obtained the noor and made
4 final appeal to the House in favor OF mis- amend
nent for the reduction OF the army. lie character
lied the amendment offered by Mr.. Biane as
deluson. Il only provided for consolidation as
officers were reduced by death or court martial.
There would not be by 1t o single dollar saved,
single servant cut or; but the gentleman from
dsme ners t morning Sss and told shs
House that IL must trust General Grant.
The difficulty was tnat the amendment proposed
Grant. Under 1t he could not muster out single
oicer. The only trust they would nave to get rid OF
an oflcer would be In Almighty God 10 bring him 10
an end, for nc would moi resign. (Laughter.) The
gentleman from Pennsylvania tnir keleyl said that
q large army was necessary IN order TO Keep the
OF the election OF General Grant would mol keep the
peace In 1exas. An army scattered over that terri
tory would be OF no ayafl. There was not going to
be any organized opposition to an army. 1t was
going to be steatliy murder: not In the presence OF
soldiers but ssiid their pacSs Ano,aer sct was
Texas were ex-Confederate soldiers, recruited from
tue Confederate army and they were not TO be
relied upon IN any. question between their Old
brethren In arms aud citizens OF the United states.
As to the argument that the army would decrease by
natural depletion, he reminded The House that there
a oosbnn M Wnaf 1 II ri
for the army fast as oficcrs died. The argument
also, had been made that members did not know
anything OF the subject aud that therefore they must
turn the matter over to General Grant In reply to
that he would say the constitution puts II on the
representatives Of the people Any geasen,an VINO
home-he has business here. II "a mis- duty 10 TN
derstand 1t. We have no business TO come acre "
We do not know how to do the duties which the con-
stituton devoves upoh rs. The constitution sends
us here legsac, not 10 take the ts. dtrd or any
man. Here Is a case OF economy. Here is q saving
Of tniry millions Of taxes Let us see whether this
talk OF economy, this kicking OF some poof clain-
ans this overthrowng OF asma Appropriation for
some public work Ia TO occupy our time while this
rrea, question Is 10 have rhe go-by.
Mr. BLAINE made an earnest appeal 10 the House
agans. ,ae d ., m no, vo,e - sry ens
raj sherman OF the chance 10 attain tne rank u
General OF the Army; aud tnat lt would not deprive
Generals sheridan or Thomas OF the chance 70 attain
me grade Of Lieutenant General. and that II would
NOT render necessary the mastering out OF Generals
Meade or Hancock as Major Generals. That would
no the erect of the adoption OF the amendment. lie
admitted that there was mucn In the amendment
that meritorous but there were provisions IN II
(which he thought the House would not approve.
fne amendment which he tar. Blalne) had moved,
lust tied up the army so that there should be no APP
pointments promotions until Congress could take
mold OF the whole question: and by this means, under
the administration OF General Grant, the army could
be very rapidly reduced Ia conclusion, he asked
consent TO modify hts amendment
MIR. BUTLER objected.
mr.. BLAIsE-l only want to perfect my amend
ment
Mr.. BLAINE went on to say that under his plan the
process OF reduction woud begin the moment the
blll was approved IL was safe, prudcnt and wise 70
take this STEP hut u was dilacut 10 So beyond n.
Mr.. bOyLH, tdeml OF Pa, asked UNANIMOUS con-
seut 10 offer an amendment directing the secretary
OF war 70 consolidate The qusrtefalastef's depart
nient the commssary department., snd tue ray ue-
partlent into one department, TO DO cAsied the de-
partment OF supply.
Mr. HOOPER, Irep.l OF Mass, objected.
The Rock Island appropriation was still fnrther
dciatcd by Nessrs. Logan ana dituy ~ laVos g, ~
ana Mr Maynard against ~ finaiY ~ nevtte
ended. aaf nc itouse proceeded 10 va'c vn ne va
rOis amendments.
1Ac a,AelGJuelt striking out tho s4la ler uJ.RY