The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-01-29
CO NC R Ess.
HOUSE.
WASHINGTON january %,

and Jay Cooke indebtedness: Glover,
New, Lewis, Pratt and Smith, Of Penn
Sylyania.
Mr.. Felkins, OF New Mexico, presented
u memorial Of the Territorial Legisln'
ture for an enabling act and admission
Of New Mexico rs State. Referred.
Mr.. Goodin asked leave to offer reso-
luton declaring that the people OF the
United States constitute n nation to the
extent and for the purposes defined in
the Federal Constitution; that the rights
aud powers Of the United States Govern
ment are defined and limited by the
Federal Constitution and cannot be en-
largcd or diminished except by amend
ments to the Constitution, &c.
Mr.. Hamilton and others objected.
On motion OF Mr.. Whitthorn u select
committee consisting OF Messrs. Whit
thorn, Willis and Daniord we're author
lied to take the testimony ut Norfolk in
regard TO the alleged abuses and frauds
at the Navy Yards.
Mr.. Singleton, from the Committee on
Appropriations, reported the consular and
diplomatic appropriation bill, which was
made the special order for Wednesday
next.
Mr.. Springer introduced a bill to pro-
hibit American citizens from owning
slaves in foreign countries, and to regu-
late elections in Utah Territory. Re,
ferred.
Mr.. Hunton, from the Committee on
Revolutionary Pensions, reported bill
10 amend the act OF the 18th Of February,
1871, pensioning soldiers Of the war Of
1912, and to restore TO the pension rolls
those persons whose names were stricken
thercirom in consequence OF disloyalty.
He moved to have the bill put upon its
passage.
Mr.. Conger made the point thatitnust
first be considered in Committee OF the
Whole.
The point was sustained and the bill so
referred.
The House then went into Committee
OF the Whole tHaskins in the chair on
the Military Academy appropriation bill.
The Clerk proceeded to read the bill by
sections foramendment.
Mr.. Hamilton New Jersey moved to
amend the clause for the pay Of cadets by
striking out the words "at $3.50 each in
addition to ratipns' and. substituting the
words "at $500"
Mr.. Hale moved TO amend the. amend.
ment by striking out $40 and .substitu'
ting 5000. In support Of his amendment
Mr.. Hale said he deprecated anything
which should be looked upon as an attack
on this institution. .
Mr.. Randall, chairman Of the Commit
tee on Appropriations, opposed Mr.. Hale:
amendment. lie said the fact was that
none Of the money went into the pockets
of the cadets, but was in fact an appro-
pria,ion made for their support, and that
il was believed that S540 was sufficient
for that purpose. No gentleman knew
better than the gentleman from Maine
(Halel that the committee had decided
on uniform reduction through all the
departments, that the reduction was tc
be ten per cent, and was to be further
carried out by reducing the number oi
employees twenty per cent. and by in
creasing the hours Of service from six to
eight. =,
Mr.. Hale asked Mr.. Randall whether
he did not propose to make any exccp'
tions TO that rule.
Mr.. Randall replied that rs there were
exceptions to all the rules, so the commit.
Tee had some important exceptions to this
rule. 1t had excepted, for instance, the
Vice President and Librarian OF Con
gress, and they should continue TO make
exceptions in cases Of meritorious and
useful officers OF the government, but the
policy OF the gentleman from Maine
IHalc) seemed to indicate determined
purpose oil the part Of the other side Of
the House 10 obstruct the committee in
its economical reform movement. He
hoped that the members on his side Of the
House would march forward to the sup
port OF the Committee on Appropriations,
for he declared to the House and to the
people that in no particular did that
committee mean to doinjustice in the least
degree.
Mr.. Durham spoke against reduction
of the pay Of cadets. He said he was In
favor Of Legitimate reductions, but he
would not be led into the Reduction by n
party or the leaders Of party.
Mr..Atkins asked Mr.. Durham whether
he was nm Independent Democrat.
Mr.. Durham replied that he was as
good Democratas any man on the iioor
but he was not going to vote for an un'
Just reduction to please any party.
Mr.. Neal also opposed the reduction.
Mcssrs. o'Bricn, Townsend n. Y.)nnd
Hoar spoke apainst the reduction.
The question was. taken up on Mr.
Halc's amendment, and it was re jected by
vote Of 3S to 90.
Mr.. Cox complained that the members
on the Republican side Of the House were
obstructionists to REFORM. They had com
menced opposing reform on the Wes
Point bill. Where would they end? The.
would oppose reform on the navy bill, OIL
the consular diplomatic bill and on thu
civil service bill. Where was reform tC
begin II not in this particularly prodiga
and luxurious system Mt West Point
There was no other place where the.
could begin 30 well. He had had ii
order from Gen. Townsend signed b.
order Of the Secretary OF Wa
in which he read that "no officer, eitheI
\ active or retired, shall directly or indi
rcctly, without being called upon by tn,
proper authority, suggest or recommend
any action to members Of Congress oil
a question OF military business" HI
feared the gentlemen from Maine ant
Illinois (Halc and HurlbuD had had thl
advantage of some suggestion from OIL
GERS, from the Professors At West Point
or perhaps from Gen. Townsend himself
This very curious order OF Gen. Towns
end contains also this sentence: "Th
foregoing is not intended to prevent off
GERS from illustrating measures befor
Congress which have received the sane
ton or favor Of the President and SeCre
tary Of War or the General Of tho Army.
Now, Mr.. Chairman, ask simply to hav
this paper put on record (alluding to Gen
Townsend'S order), 50 that members cal
see from whence the information come
by which the gentlemen on the other sid
OF the House oppose economy.
Mr.. Hale-I do not propose 10 tax
any lessons in economy from tho gentle
man from New York. / have had SON
experience in this House in attemptin
to reduce tho expenditures Of the Gov
A