The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-01-28
The proposition stripped Of all its
difficulties was whether $4,000 .

professors and u, lUU Tor Junior PROBES.
} sors. Passing on to the pay of cadets he
, showed that the increase made in 1867
was only in the shape OF an allowance Of
. an additional ration, and he claimed in
point Of fact that the cadet had no inter.
est in the matter, IN as much ~ his entry
pay went to his support and none Of it
ever went into his pocket except that at
the end Of his four years term $96, being
the savings of two dollars per month,
was gwen to him for the purchase Of a
military suit. There was not the slightest
feeling on the part of the Committee to
interfere in any particular with these
young men. 1t would be far from him
to embarrsss, in any way, these young
gentlemen who hoped TO be, and prob.
ably would be, OF as much service tn
their country as their predecessors IN the
Academy. He wanted to repel the idea
that there had been any purpose on
the part Of the Committee to embarrass
the administration OF West Point
Academy, which had shed so much
honor on the country. The Com
mittee had taken some trouble
to find out the allowance =
military cadets in France, Prussia and
England. At the Polytechnic school in
France, pay ran up high, but the aver
age pay Of military cadets in France WAS
$3.50; in Prussia it was less, msximum,
not being much above Sl20, and running
down in some schools TO $55. In Eng
land, so far as the committee WAS inform.
ed, the pay was less than $400.
Mr.. Hurlbut asked Mr.. Randall
what was the difference between the
pay of common soldiers here and in those
countries.
Mr.. Randall replied that he had not
looked into that
Mr.. Hurlbut suggested that tho pay OF
common soldiers abroad was about one.
fifth of the pay Of common soldiers here,
Mr.. McDougall asked Mr.. Randall As
TO the difference in living here and
abroad.
Mr.. Randall admitted that il was mich
higher, but denied that the disparity WAS
proportionate TO the disparity 10 pay.
Mr.. White svowed himself as not only
in favor of reduction in the pay Of ca.
diets but was also in favor of q reduction
Of their number from $40 TO 2l0,
by which 1900 year would DO saved.
lie would also cut down the strength of
the army, and would reduce the number
of members of Congress to 200. believing
that that number could do business much
more sat sfacto-l ly than 800 could.
Mr.. Holman member OF tho commit.
tee admitted that reduction of tho pay
of cadets seemed rather ungracious, and
therefore he was anxious that
the real fac should appear,
which showed that instead OF this
reduction, it was in fact large Increase
over what cadets had received in times
corresponding in point Of expensiveness
with the present day. From 1920 TO 1916
the allowance of cadets had only been SIC
month. from lSi5 TO 1857 $50 . month,
from 1857 TO 1864, which covered
period of great expensivencss, $500 4
year. Tho proposition now was
simply u 20 back to the pay Of that
period, except that twas increased by
forty dollars year, and he had no doubt
whatever that An allowance Of $40
year would be ample. Coming down 10
the pay Of professors, he argued that tho
provisions of the bin in respect 70 them
were extremely liberal. In conclusion,
be said that thi, was the arst of = series Of
bills 70 be reported by the Committee on
Appropriations, and he therefore APP
sympathies in favor Of West Point
get the better OF their judgment.
II their judgment governed them,
the bill would pas sui ulstantially
n reported, and II il dId thcn tho people
who were now looking 10 Congress with
an earnestness never before known
would begin 10 breathe freely and in.
dulge in hope.
Mr. Danford stated that the cooper
alton of the Republication side Of the
House would be given in all needed re-
forms, but he believed that cutting down
OF the pay Of the West Point cafs s wis
re,rsnchment uncallcd for by any
party or by any people. lie spoke OF
the humble rank in life from which ~
general thing cadets came, and argued
that this reduction Of their pay would
operate TO the disadvantage OF the poorer
young men.
Mr.. Banning-IIow can this bill oper-
ate against the poorer boys3
Mr.. Danfori replied that small pay
would operate against the poor boy in
regard 10 his outfit. He then proceeded
70 argue against the reduction Of the pay
oi Professors.
Mr. Blount, q member Of the Commit.
tee on Appropriations, argued on the
justification Of the proposed reductions,
and called upon the members on both
sides, but particularly on his own side,
10 stand by the Committee.
Mr. Wilson, OF Georgia, said that when
the economists Of the House set shout
cutting down expenses he was always
pleased ~ hear their arguments and ~
add his vote 10 theirs, but be was sorry
that the pending proposition could not
obtain his sanction. He had thought "
himself now be would feel after having
voted To cut down the pittancs allowed
10 the West Point cadets, whether or not
he could look an honest
man in the face ard hs feared
be should BE- ashamed 10 oommencb the
forty fourth Congress with reduction in
that direction. Why had not the Com.
mittee on Appropriations reported bill
70 cot down the pay Of members7
Mr.. HolmAn-My friend need not BE-
too anxious shout that, be shall have aA
opportunity 10 vote on ths. proposit,os.
We propose 70 have retrenckmeat oil
alorg the line.
Mr. Wilson-Thst is al right when
that bill is brought In will
support j, readily II the wish Of our
friends on the other side u that ws must
Gu. down the salary Of every officer Of
the government. lie. us hsvs chsacs
TO vote On II, and let every man b.
responsible for his vote. End no din
Guilty in screving up my courage 70 tbs
point Of voting against an appropriation
which is too large, nor viii ] Ind any
in voting 70 cut down my osn salsry II
II will conducs TO the hsppisess Of the
gentlemen on the other SIDE. but tell
them that they are dsmorsIizing their
own friends when they ask ~ 20 cut