The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-02-26
FORTY-F0URTH CONGRESS-.
WAsHINeros, February 25.
SENATE.

ate proceeded to the consideration of the
bill reported by the Finance Committee
on Wednesday last to amend the acts OF
July IA and January Goth 1870, to su-
thorize the refunding Of the national
debt.
Mr.. Sheman explained the bill and
said that 1t was recommended by the
Secretary OF the Treasury. 1t provided
that the Al per cent bonds should run
thirty years instead Of fifteen years and
to increase the amount from $1,000
to 100000.
Mr.. Edmunds enquired if any Of the
Al per cent bonds had been issued.
After some debate the bill passed
without amendment also the bill report.
ed by the Finance Committee on Wed
nesday to amend the acts of July IA,
1870 and January 20, 1871, to authorize
the refunding OF the national debt, The
vote on the passage Of the bill was yea.
81; nays 5. Those voting IN the mega
tive were Messrs. Cockrell, Eaton, Nc
Creary, Mcdonald and Robertson. The
bill as passed amends the acts named SO
as to provide that the amount OF bonds
bearing Al per cent interest authorized
to be issued be increased to $500, ZOO, 900
and that they be payable al the pleasure
of the United States, after thirty years
from the date Of their issIe, instead of
fifteen years. It also provides that the
act shall not be construed to authorize
an increase of the total amount Of bonds
provided for by the acts named, nor 10
authorize any increase whatever OF the
bonded debt of the United States.
Military Academy Bill.
Mr.. Logan called up the bill making
appropriations for the support of the mil
itary academy, for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1877.
The first amendment reported by the
Committee on Appropriations was for
add pay of professors $500.
Mr.. Maxey hopsd the amendment
would be agreed to.I
Mr.. Logan SAID that sometimes men
in their desire to retrench and economist
did so in matters they knew nothing Of
He referred to the action of the House Of
Representatives in cutting ont the pro-
vision for the pay Of Professors, accord.
ing to the 9Th OF service, and said it
was report of All appropriation bill TO
repeal an existing statute. The pay
of the professors was fixed by law,
and clause in an appropriation
bill reducing their pay without any re-
peal of the existing law, showed an ao-
founding Ignorance of the law.
Mr.. Salisbury said that there were
very few professors in the college
throughout the country who received
pay equal 10 that received by professors
at West Point. He thought it commend
able in the House of Representatives to
exhibit some degree of economy, and if
they founC an appropriation which had
been heretofore too large, it should be
cut down.
Mr.. West read from the law fxing the
rank and pay Of professors, and said that
if their pay should be reduced the pay of
every officer of the army must be re-
duced.
Mr.. Davis said that in his opinion
there WAS no ditticulty.iAs to the existing
law all that WAS necessary was that the
Senate should say that hereafter the pay
of these professors should be SO much.
In reply to the Senator from Illinois,
[ Mr. Logan he argued that the House
mad perfect right to reduce the amount,
and he Mr.. Davis believed it was done
in good faith.
Mr.. Salisbury said this appropriation
did not affect any present salary of
those professors. 1t was not for services
now being rendered by them. but servi-
ces they were to render IN the future.
The country was now erpending more
than was absolutely necessary for train
ing military men. Tie learned senator
from Illinois Logan who was general
in the army would bear him witness
that the late war produced men who
were equal to the emergency, who had
not received military training. He argued
that Congress should reduce the expenses
Of the Military Academy, rs it was too
much Of a burden on the people Of the
country. He said ne would vote for q
reduction OF the army-ior such reduc-
ton as would be sensibly felt by the
people.
Mr. West said the records of the War
Department evidenced the fact that from
1910 to 1850, when the Democrats had
charge OF the country, the expenses of the
army per man was more than It had been
under Republican administration since
1866.
Mr. Allison said the question Of re.
ducng the army wss distinct one, and
ought not TO be considered by the Com
mittee on Appropriations. The Com
mittee on Military Affairs WAS the proper
one TO consider that subject. As TO the
srmy officers they could be promoted,
but the rank of Professor at the Military
Academy was limited to that of Colonel,
and they should have extra pay for the
length of service.
Mr. Salisbury said the Committee on
Appropriations should report IN favor Of
reducing all salaries possible, and the
other committees of the Senate could eI i.
anime INTO the question Of changing the
existing lsw so a to enforce suCh re-
ducton. The professors at the Military
Academy were not engaged in the haz-
srdous business of lighting Indians, but
had comfortable quarters Al West Point.
Mr.. Lrgan asked where were all the
Maior-Generals and prominent officers.
They were not fighting Indians.
Mr.. Stevenson favored reduction Of
the salaries OF these professors.
Mr. Morrill,. OF Maine, said the Com
mitiee on Appropriations did not thin <
it proper 10 select this class OF officers al d
reduce their pay when the question Of re.
ducing the pay Of army officers was not
before the committee.
Mr.. Stevenson said it would be easy
enough for the Senate TO authorize the
reduction of the salary OF the professors
and then put two lines is the bill repeal
ing all lsws inconsistent with the bill.
Mr.. Ssuisbury-The salary Of the
Presiden, of the United States had been
increased by an appropriation bill. q:
well as the salaries OF the judges OF the
Supreme Cour:, ard it was not wise &c
argue that the salaries could not be
changed in an appropriation bill.
After further debate Mr.kellv gave
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