Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-03-11
BY TELEGRAPH
Daily Kennebec Journal.
BY the Western Union Line-Ofices Granite Banb
Building and the State Housed
FORTY-FIRST CONGRESS.


Munzee Indians in Wisconsin.
The funding bill was proceeded with. An
amendment by Mr.. Howard, to authorize the
national banks TO go to the treasury and ex-
change bonds already deposited for in the
bill, was re ectcd, Il to 90
Mr.. Sherman opposed the amendment a.
superfuous, and tending to complcate the
bin
Mr.. llamin supported it, charging that tn,
bill as it stood would work great injustice t.
the national banks.
Mr.. buckingham said that the government
had no right to diminish the value of its OBJ
legations and compel the banks to take them.
Mr.. Sherman answered that the banks
ought to bear their share of the public bur
dens, and were asked to yield only one halt
Of one per cent. interest on their banks.
while in return they would receive bonds eX
elnpt from income tax and all other taxa
ton.
Further discussion ensued on the provi-
sions Of the bill, as etfecting national banks.
Mr.. Conklng characterized them as ittl
better than Reputation.
Mr.. Buckingham moved to strike out the
6th section
Mr. Casserly advocated an entire reform
and reconstruction of the national banking
system, while Mr.. Sumner maintained the
right of Congress to coerce the banks into
taklng the new DOnQs.
The Senate then adjourned.
House.
Mr.. Logan OF Illinois stated that there
were 500 supernumary officers on the first OF
November and the first section of the bill
provides for the board of examination TO in
vestigate claims. records and qualifications OF
all officers below Brigadier Generals. He
recommends that those be retained, and the
others to be recommended for vacancies
which may occur thin six months. And
all officers not then on active dufy, to be
must, red out with one years pay and allow
ances.
Mr.. Loy gan proceeded 20 compare the unm-
Der OF staff officers OF the American army
with II ose of European armies.
Our army of 81 900 men has 633 staff Off
GERS, 3l3 more than in Is 0. Russia with an
army OF $4,000 men has a staff corps OF 800.
Prussia 18th am army OF 100000 men had
staff of 100. Austria with an army of 500. GOO
men had staff of lG5, and Italy the same.
He rediculed the idea of putting mayor gen
erals and brigadier generals al the head OF
the quarter masters and cOmmissary depart
ments, WIN their duties were to be judges
of boots and shoes. and hats and bean soup.
(Laughter.) The paymasters department
was also too large. In the European armies
The troops were paid by civilians, who drew
pay as clerks. The third. fourth and fifth sec
lions provide that the offices of general and
lieutenant general of the army, shall continue
until vacancy shall occur, and no longer.
And that there shall be only three Major
Generals and six Brigadier Generals after
the first of September, 1870, to be elected by
the President, without regard to the seniority
of the others mustered out. The sixth sec
ton provides that the Quarter Master, Com
missary Paymaster Surgeon. Judge, Advo-
cate Generals and Chief of Ordinance shall
have the rank and pay of colonies, but the
present incumbents may continue at that
rank.
Tie Sth section repeats the act of August
Sd, 1861, relative to retired officers, and pro-
yides that the number retireed be at the dis
rretion of the President, but not to exceed
$50.
he 9th abolishes brevct rank, and forbids
the assumption of title or the wearing OF a
uniform OF higher rank than actually held.
The 18th forbids army officers to hold civil
Office, whether by election or appointment.
He referred in that connection to the case of
General Buuerfed, dismissed from the civil
service for connection with the gold opera
lions in New York, but still holding the rank
Of colonel in the army. and not court mar
tailed; hence the two things were incompat-
IDLE.
The 18th repeats the second section of the
act of the Both of June 1866, which makes
the general of the army superior to the Pres
dent.
He regarded that law as both unconstitu-
tional and improper.
If General Sherman were TO perpetrate the
highest crime, he could not be arrested or
relieved or court martaled by the President
The 18th section provided for transferring
the control of indian affairs to the war de-
d.. ,&,. L. had II inf
Of the Peigan massacre, his blood ran cold in
his veins, and he wanted to ask the committee
to strike out that section and let the indian
bureau remain where it is, and the committee
had agreed to il.
The 18th section regulates the pay of Off
GERS
Mr.. Logan explained at length the work
ings OF the present system of pay and allow
ances. The proper pay of General in the
army was $4,000, but he actually received
Sl9,27S. J he pay of the Lieutenant General
was s3240. but he actually received Stills.
The pay of Major General was S2640. Cen
eral Halet received S9G62; General Meade
S9342; General Thomas S9524; Gen. Han
cock S9735; General Schofeld S7432. These
bills would save in the pay of officers 4
million and half. and it is estimated that
the total saving would be three millions.
Mr.. Logan spoke two hours in defence of
the bill, which was then considered for
ame ndments. Sections and ID were agreed
to. Section II was amended by providing
hat commissioned officers below the grade of
Brgader General shall receive ten per cent.
OF the current yeary pay for each term OF
FIVE years continuous service, provided that
the total of such increase shall not exceed I
per cent. of their regular pay. And that the
pay ola colonel shall in no case be more than
$4,000. nor a Lieutenant Colonel more than
$4,000.
An additional section requiring that artillery
officers shall pass an examination for promo
tior, waa agreed to and the bill was then
pas ell, and the House then adjourned
Indian Affairs.
Chicago. March 10.