New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-30

OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED REDUCTION OF THE
ARMY-PRoBABILITY THAT THE BILL WILL BE
PASSED TODAY.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO rnE rRIBuSE.l ...,
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20-After the morning hour in
the House the entire session was taken up with de-
bate in Committee on the ARMY bill. The bill. 30
far the discussion went to-day, had few friends,
meeting with vigorous opposition from the delegates
Of some of the Territories whose only power is IN
speaking, for they have no vote on any question.
Tho representatives from tho Pacific slope were also
6ercey opposed to any reduction in the strength OF
the army. or in the appropriation. The cause OF
their course in endeavoring to defeat the proposed
decrease in the army, from 10000 it's maximum
strength to 81 900 differs widely from the reasons
which actuate their other opponents aud are per-
haps moro creditable. They say that the military
force in the Territories has always been too small to
protect the settlers and their property from the
Indians. The force of cavalry and infantry ought
to be increased materially The contractors oppose
the reduction of the army and the proposed economy
Of the Government, for obvious reasons, as change
would deprive them of many lucrative jobs. The
army officers opposed to the bill because it de-
prives them Of more or less powers, and entails.
perhaps, moro industry There is also possibility
that the force of officers may be cut down.
Some of the Southern representatives argue that
the civil authority, while Western members say
that troops should be taken from the South and sent
West to look after the Indians The War Depart
ment, including the Secretary and Gems Sherman,
Sheridan and Others is endeavoring to defeat the
reduction, and most of the officers Of prominence
have argued against it in the Capitol. The speech
OF Representative Nesmith of Oregon was very
bitter against the religious manner OF treating the
Indians, and he created q good deal of coarse
laughter when he said that there were some Baptsts
in his country but there was not water enough on
the whole Pacific slope to christianize one Indian.
Mr. Wheeler, who has charge of tho bill, says that
the most important part OF it, in his opinion. is that
section which takes from the Quartermasters De-
partment the settlement of claims Of loyal citizens
of noninsurrectOnary States and refers them TO the
| Southern Claims Commission. Lawyers and claim
agents are opposed to this section because 1t IS
easier and quicker to get claims through the Quar-
| termaster's or Commssary Departments than
| through the Commission and then through Con-
| gress As for there being need for any more
| troops, or for the number now in service MI.
| Wheeler in his speech tomorrow, will show that
during the most unsettled period since the close OF
| the war, namely July, 1885, that there were only
1900 troops in the regular army, and that in july
| 1866. there were only $4,000. He will show that at
Salt Lake City alone there are 800 men. and VIII
argue that they wholly useless that with rail-
roads &c. troops could be put in there with great
ease in case Of trouble The arguments will close
tomorrow and the bill will probably be passed