Arizona citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Pima County, A.T. [i.e. Ariz.]) 1870-1880, 1871-03-18
Protection of the Frontier.

better protection of the frontier of Tex
as, clearly proves that we cannot ex-
pect the authority to raise volunteers
in Arizona. The following are the
main features of Mr.. Degener's bill
as given III the Globe:
That the Secretary of War be au-
thorized to organize in such counties
as are exposed to Indian depredations,
and call into the service of the United
States, attachments of mounted men
not exceeding thirty privates and nom
commissioned officers and one ieuten-
ant to each county:
Pr0cided, That the entire force shall
not exceed the aggregate number Of
one thousand.
SEC. g And be 1t further enacted, That
said companies shall provide their
horses, equipments and provisions at
their own expense; that they shall be
ready to turn cut at all times when
ever their services may be needed;
and that they shall not be required to
serve beyond their own or the adjCin-
ing counties, except under the special
order of the general commanding.
Sec. 3. And be 1t further enacted. That
said companies shall be recruited from
the residents of the respective counties
only; that they shall be able bodied
men, between sixteen and forty-fve
years Of age, who shall receive as full
compensation for each day of actual
sci vice 81 % for each private; 81 30
for each none 1mmissined officer; and
s. 80 for the lieutenant, and shall be
paid by the quartermasters at the sew
eral military posts, at the end Of every
month, under such regulations as the
Secretary of War may prescribe.
Sec. 4. And be 1t further enacted, That
the sum of $4,000 be, and is hereby
appropriated out of any money in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated,
to pay said troops for their services,
supplies and equipments furnished, at
the rate hereinbefore named.
The only other point of importance
was that providing for the construc-
ton of lines of telegraph to connect
the frontier posts and making an ap-
preparation for the same.
Mr.. Degener, who represents the
western district of Texas, failing to Sc
cure the favorable consideration of his
bill by the military committee, had
taken it to the committee on Indian
affairs, of which he is a member, and
was authorized by that committee to
report it. He made strong speech
in its support, adducing many facts to
illustrate the state of affairs on the
Texas border, which is truly deplora-
Die and very like that here.
He was met by the usual ignorant
5waddle and disgusting sentimental1ty
which the discussion of the Indian
question excites in Congress. Gen.
5locum charged that the bill was to
'aise an Independent army-Gen.
Logan also opposed it as other similar
measures had been rejected by the
military committee-among other
Kings he said:
This bill was before the Committee
IN Military Affairs, who We're unani-
nously opposed to it. Why? The
gentleman from Arizona Mr. MCCoR-
NICK came before us with evidence to
show that a great number of white
persons had been killed in his Terri
-ory by the Indians within the last
year or two; and he applied for the
adoption Of a measure of this kind ex-
,ept the telegraph and other things of
hat sort. He asked us to authorize
5he raising Of regiment Of horsemen
for the protection Of the people in Ari-
IONA. We refused our assent to any
such measure. A similar application
was made to us on behalf of New
Mexico. We refused that application.
If you to-day pass a bill of this kind
Tor Texas, authorizing the raising of
5roops to protect the borders Of that
State, Arizona will tomorrow ask the
passage of similar bill; and Arizona
S certainly in worse condition., with
'egard to the Indians, than Texas is.
So i, will be with New Mexico; so it
will be with every Territory within
he confines of the United States.
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