The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-02
THE ARMY.

DEBATE ON THE BILL BEFORE THE HOUSE
DISPOSITION or THE COLO RED rRooPs-FrNAL
PASSAGE or THE MEASURE.
WASHINGTON. June l, 1875
Tho House to-day proceeded consider the bill to
promote the efficiency OF The army to provide for its
gradual reduction and consolidate certain OF its
staff departments
Mr.. sxALLs, (rcp) Of 8. G.. offered amendment
providing in the enlistment merging Of enlisted mon
into other organizations distinction shall bs made
on account Of race or color
Mr.. RANDALL, (dem) OF Pa, objected
Mr. MAcxEY, Ind.) OF s. c.. moved to amend by
striking out the which provides for tho repeal
ing Of the law which requires that tho enlisted OF
certain regments shall DO coored men,
Mr.. O'BRiEx, (dem.) OF Md, objected
Nj. MAckEY said that his amendment was OBJ
cced 10 the practical effect OF sAa bill would DO to dis
continue the enlistment Of colored men In the army
until another war broke It indirect way OF
getting rid Of the oolored troops
Mr. HURLBur, (rep) of ILL.,, offered substitute for
the BILL directing the President to appoint commits
sion OF seven officers OF the army Of distinguished sor
vice and knowledge who shall report TO the President
their opinions OF the best method of recognising
the army and especially the best method OF rcor
ganzing the staff department with view 70 economy
and efficiency.
He said that since the organization OF the army
there had been those who desired TO cripple It's Gill;
cheney and overthrow the great sentiment OF honor
for political effect He thought that II the army must
be reduced through q mistaken idea OF economy the
reduction ought fall the artillery force, which
largely dsproportionate TO the OF The army but
not on the infantry and cavalry. The striking down
oil those historical regiments was the striking down OF
the sentiment Of honor which is dear TO every SOL
dior He called attention to the TACT that one law pro-
posed DO repealed by this ac was one providing that
no person who had served the Confederate service
should be appointed to the army OF the United States
That clause had been inserted because similar act had
been passed by the House In conclusion he quoted
that OF the things which most contributes to the
efficiency OF the military organization Is the perma-
nency OF the officers.
MI BANNING, (deu) of Ohio, chairman OF the Military
Committee, spoke in advocacy OF the bill. He was
unable the bill anything but what demanded
OF men both sides OF the House honest just aud
full consideration order that the army might be re-
organized; in order that II might be made efficient
that the regiments might be strengthened and that the
shame and have been brought the army
by its late administration and head might BIO put stop
to- He disagreed with the gentleman from Illinois
mr. Hurlbut) saying that attacks were made the
army for political purposes. When he the gentle
man standing here and attacking bill which prevents
any promotion IN the army hereafter save from tho
lines he could not but IN him gentleman who was
trying got up political Issue to defeat bill before
Presidential election He quoted resolution OF tho
Ohio Republican Convention in 1869 approving tho
termination OF Congress to retrench expenditures in
the government and urging on the national Congress
the necessity Of reduction OF the army and An
objection bad been nadc by tho gentleman from
Illinois that this going to lot the Confederate
soldiers into tho army. And why not 7
Were they not allowed OIL the floor OF tho House
Were people OF the North cmbittered against tho
South that they could not forgive the Southern men
who desired to come back Ia the old flag? In
reerehce the repeating tho law providing that
two regiments shall be composed exclusively OF colored
men, he said II wiped out an insult against every
colorcd man in the land.
nays ia.
The bill was then passed-yeas 12o, nays So