The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-03-11
XLIst OONGRESS---second Session.


WASHINGTON, March 10.-A resolution that
treaties for the annexation of any foreign ter
ritory to the United States be considered in
open session was offered by MIR. Ferry, and
| laid over till tomorrow.
The Funding Bill was proceeded with. An
amendment by Mr.. Howard to authorize the
national banks to go to the Treasury to ex-
| change bonds already deposited for those pro.
vided for in the bill was rejected; IA to %.
Further discussion ensued.
Mr.. Buckingham moved to strike ont the
| eighth section altogether, pending which the
| Senate took recess.
| e2Mr. Hamlin offered an amendment to the
eighth section providing that the banks should
exchange for new bonds and those which had
| already become redeemabe and others as they
Mr.. Buckingham's amendment to strike out
| the eighth section entirely was rejected IA to
| IS. Adjourned.
A resolution was adopted directing the Sc
cretary of the Treasury to inform the House
the collection of the internal revenue other
than the regular appointed officers.
The Air Line Railway Bill, from Washington
to New York, was taken up, and after Mr..
Swami of Maryland had concluded his re-
maaks against the bill, Mr.. Twitchell, of Mas
sachusetts moved postponement till Monday.
Lost, 60 to 81.
Mr.. Loughridge of Iowa offered an amend
ment that Congress reserve the power to
change, alter, or amend the at. Pending
this the morning hour expired, and the bill
went over.
The bill reducing the number of officers in
the army was taken up.
Mr. Logan of Illinois said the present organ
izrtion was the clumsiest in the world, and
proceeded to explain the provisions of the bill.
He stated that there we're 500 supernumerary
officers on the LIST of November.
The first section of the bill provides for the
board OF examination to investigate the claims,
record and qualifications of all officers below
Brigader Generals, and recommends that
those be retained and the others to be recon-
mended for vacancies which may occur within
six months; and all officers not then Oh active
duty to be mustered out with one years pay
and allowances.
Mr.. Logan proceeded to compare the num-
Der of staff officers of the Ameaican army with
those of the European armies Our army of
81, 600 men has 663 staff officers, 313 more than
in 1860. Russia, with an army of 800 900 men,
had a staff corps Of $50; Prussia, with SOC, 900
men, had staff of 165; and Italy the same.
He ridiculed the idea of putting Major Gener-
ais and Brigadier Generals at the head of the
quartermaster and commissary departments,
where the duties were to be judges of boots
and shoes, and hats and bean soup. Laugh
ter.) The paymaster's department. was also
entirely too large. In the European armies
the troops were paid by civilians, who drew
pay as clerks.
The Sd, 4th and 9Th sections provide that the
offices of General aud Lieut.. General shall con-
tinue until vacancy shall occur, and no longer:
and that there shall be only three Major Gen
erals and six Brigader Generals after the LIST
of September, 1870, to be selected by the Presi-
dent without regard to the seniority of the
others mustered out.
The 9th section provides that the quarter
master, commissary, paymaster, surgeon and
judge advocate generals and chief of ordnance
shall have the rank and pay of colonies; but
the present incumbents may continue at that
rank.
The 9Th section repeats the act of Aug. Sd,
1861, relative to retired officers, and provides
that the number retired be at the discretion of
the President, but not to exceed $50.
The 9th section abolishes brevet rank, and
fOrbids the assumption of title or the wearing
of uniform of higher rank than actually
held.
The 18th section forbids army officers to hold
civil office. whether by election or appoint
ment.
He referred in that connection to the case of
Gen. Butterield, dismissed from the civil
service for connection with the gold operations
in New York, but still holding the rank of
colonel in the army, and not court-martialed.
Hence the two things were Incompatible.
The 18th repeats the second section of the
act of the 30th OF June, 1866, which makes the
general of the army superior to the President
He regarded that law as both unconstitu-
tional and improper. 1t Gen. Sherman were
to perpetrate the highest crime he could not
be arrested, or relieved, or c0urt-martialed by
the president.
The 18th section provided for transferring
the control Of Indian affairs to the War De-
partment, but after he had read an account of
the Piegan massacre his blood ran cold in his
veins, and he wanted to ask the Commitsee to
strike out that section, and let the Indian bust
ness remain where 1t is, and the committee
had agreed to it.
The 18th section regul ties the pay of officers
as follows:-General in lieu of pay proper and
allowances, $4,000; Lieutenant General, &c.
900; Major General. $500; Brigadier General,
$4,000; Colonies, $500; Lieutenant Colonies,
$1,000; Majors, $2500; Captains, mounted,
$1,000; Captains, not mounted. $500; Regi-
mental Quartermasters, $1,000; First Leuten-
ants, mounted, $1,000; do, not. mounted, $500;
Second Lieutenants, mounted, $500; do, not
mounted, $1400; Cbaplains, $1,000; Aid-de-
Camps to Major General, 5000 additional; Aid
de-Camps to Brigadier General, $3.50 addition
al; Acting Assistant Commissary, 500 addi-
the Quartermaster's Department as now al
lowed by law and regulations. Offers, when
travelling under orders and not furnished with
transportation, are to be allowed ten cents a
mile. Retired officers are to received 70 per
cent. of the pay of the rank on which they are
retired.
Mr.. Logan explained at length the workings
| of the present system of pay and allowances.
| The proper pay of General in the army was
$4,000, but he actually received $19.278. The
pay of the Lieutenant General was $324O, but
he actually received $14,118 The pay of a
Major General was $264O. Gen. Halleck re-
| ceived $9662; Gen. Meade, $9342; Gen. Thorn
as, 1854; Gen. Hancock, $9735, and Gen.
Schofeld, s7432 These bills would save in
the pay of officers 81 500, 900, and it is estimat-
ed that the total saving would be $3,000,OOO.
Mr. Logan spoke two hours in explanation and
| defence of the bill, which was then consider ed
for amendments.
Sections and 10 were agreed to. Section
IA was amended by providing that commits
stoned officers below the grade of Brigadier
| General should receive 10 per cent of the cur
rent yearly pay for each term of five years con-
tinuOus service; provided that the total of such
| increase shall not exceed 40 per cent. of thei1
| regular pay; and that the pay of a Colonel
shall in no case he more than $4,000, nor a
Lieut.. Colonel more than $4,000 An additional
section, requiring that artillery officers shall
pass an examination for promotion, was agreed
to and the bill then passed. Adjourned.
| PENNsYLVANIA.
BOLD BANK ROBBERY AND SWIFT ARREST
PITTsBURG, March 1O-The Tanners and