Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-05-13
CONGRESSIONAL.
SENATE.


WASHINGTON, May 12.-The report of the
| Conference Committee on the Arkansas
Hot Springs Reservation was conquered In.
Mr.. Morrill, offered resolution calling
on the President for information concern
ing organized bands of persons at
Cheyenne, w. 7. Adopted.
To Reduce Taxation Immediately.
Mr.. Sherman gave notice of his inten-
ton to call up the bin to reduce taxation
Immediately after the pending order was
disposed Of
Army Reduction.
The army bill was then taken up, and a
motion by Mr.. Pomeroy to amend the
first section, by fixing the reduction of the
army at $4,000 instead of rs, 900 was agreed
to. The pending motion to strike out the
first section, reducing the army to 80, 900,
was lost-yeas, 81; nays, 81.
Civil Ruie or Military
A discussion ensued upon the amend
ments by Mr.. Sherman to allow retired
army officers to hold civil Office, and by
by Mr.. Carpenter, repeating the act Of
Jan. 2, 1870, relating to retired officers and
providing upon their own application to
duty, except 10 service with troops and as
Professors in colleges-no compensation
to be allowed during such service, Except
actual expenses and mileage. Mr.. Oarrea-
ter's amendment was adopted
Mr. Sherman ridiculed the idea that the
people were afraid Of undue military in
fuence in their affairs by the election to
Office of retired army officers.
Mr.. Trumbull remarked that laws must
be made of general character, though
hardships might be done in individual
cases. If retired officers were allowed to
hold civil offices the law would be evaded
and persons would be placed on the re-
tired list as In civil service. He did not
military authority.
to do justice to all, that the rank and file
who met danger in front should not be for
gotten.
A lengthy discussion followed.
Mr.. Sherman's amendment was finally
rejected.
Mr.. Trumbull moved to amend the 21st
section, so as to prohibit any officer Of the
army, either on the active or retired list,
from holding civil Office.
A Direct Blow at the Administration
Mr.. Sherman said army officers were fire.
quently deputed as Indian agents, and this
prohibition would reverse the practice Of
the Government in this respect. He
thought it was aimed as reproach at the
President, who repeatedly appointed army
officers to civil positions. It would pre-
vent the President from availing himself of
the experience of military officers in any
civil positions. Il would have prevented
Gen. Schofeld, or even Gen. Grant, from
acting as Secretary of War, and Gen.
Sickles from going to Madrid.
Mr. Summer thought there was q clear
distinction between officers on the retired
list. and retired officers, and that the lat
ter ought not to be excluded from civil
service.
Mr.. Morton said the amendment would
cut off every officer now assigned to Ia
lie duty on the plains, private secretaries
of the President and many others. II
would look very much like a direct blow at
the administration, and be so construed by
the country.
MIR. Trumbulrs amendment was adopted
yeas 81, nays 81.
Reduction or Increased
The fifteenth section, providing for fixed
compensation for each grade of officers in
the army was amended by striking out
that part relative to the pay of General,
Lieutenant General, Major General and
Bngadier General
Mr.. Buckingham moved to strike out
the whole.
Mr.. Sherman said the Chairman of the
House Military Committee had stated this
new system of stated salaries would re-
duce the expenses of the army, while the
Chairman of the Senate Committee be-
ieved the expenses would be increased.
He believed the properproposition ia be one
that would do away with the Communication
system and specify pay of officers fairly
and intelligibly, in order to secure proper
| graduation of pay without increasing the
| aggregate cost, which could only be done
| by a committee. He moved to commit the
bill. Lost, Is to 81.
Mr.. Buckingham's motion was agreed
| to-ayes %, noes H.
| After further uDimportant amendments,
| the bill was reported to the Senate from
| the committee, when motions to strike out
| the first and eleventh sections and adjourn,
were severally rejected.
| Mr.. Trumbull, in reply to Mr.. Stewart
said the bill would not go into effect for 6
| year and half
Mr.. Ross expressed contrary opinion
believing the bill would actually go intC
operation during the present year, in con
sequence Of the expiration of the enlist
ment.
The bill then passed.
The appropriation bill then came up il
order.
At 3:1O the Senate adjourned.