Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-11-10


HOUSE.
Proceedings opened with prayer by Rev. DR..
Mills of Washington.
Ciymer offered a resolution that Rev. ID. W.
Harrison of Georgia, be chaplain of the House.
Foster offered an amendment, substituting Rev.
Joseph &. Butler of Washington.
The amendment WAS rejected and the resolution
adopted.
All amendments to the army bill in line of re-
duction or limitation of recruiting, were voted
down by small majority. Recruiting is now
limited to a force of % 900 men.
A resolution directing the committee on naval
affairs to inquire into the advssbility of appoint
ing committee TO examine into the charges
against the management of Mars Island navy
yard; referred.
Swami chairman of the committee on foreign
affairs, presented a communication from the sec
rotary OF state, IN retereHce to the exhibition at
Paris.
They estimate the expenses of the American
representation at S225, 600: re-committed.
Alo communication from the secretary o!
state, in reference to the distribution of the Amer
lean award; re-conmitted.
Atkins, chairman of appropriation committee
reported bill for settlement Of accounts of work.
ing men, for excess of eight hours labor recon-
mitted
Williams presented petition to extend the
time for the completion of the Northern Pacific
Railroad; referred
The House then went into committee of the
whole on the army appropriation bill.
Baker Of Ind. denied that the republican party
is in favor Of increasing the army to $4,000 men.
As for himself he was opposed to any policy look
ing towards keeping large standing army for
the purpose of using ii as q police to take from
States the duty which their constitution imposed
upon them, aud maintaining order within their
own territory.
Foster said it was not the desire of the republi-
can side of the Hou.e to advocate an increase in
QFfnUs thnxF h.lta a ID
quate, but not 100 much. Neither did they de-
sire to have the army used as police force 10 a
state. What could the President have done ex-
cept to respond to calls of governors and leg sla-
latures of states when such calls are made consti-
tutiOnslly as they were made last summer from
West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania?
hewitt was sorry the memory of the gentleman
from q. was so defective AZ to what occurred dur
ing that unhappy struggle. He (Foster) had for
gotten who was governor OF New York wheu the
first call WIS made for troops, and how that call
was responded to by democratic state. lie had
forgotten who was governor of New Jersey at
that time, and how that democratic state had sent
the flower Of her sons for the defence of the Un-
ion.
Que ston was then taken on Belknap's amend
ment restricting the force of the army to 1000
men, and il was rejected, 46 to l60
Blackburn then asked the chairman of the COM
mlttee on appropriations to allow the amendment
to be offered in the House before calling the pre-
Nlous qucstluu, 50 US ~ test INC ecuSc VI Tic
House. by yeas and nays.
Atkins-(chsirmsn of the com. on appropris-
tious) | must decline.
Blackburn-Then trust the previous question
on the bill will never be seconded.
The question was taken on Schleicher's amend
ment to strike out the clause restricting the army
to its present force.
The vote On the count by the chairman was 1879
to 1856.
A vote was then taken by letters and the amend
meat was adopted. l22 to ia.
Messrs. Atkins, Townsend, Cabe and Clark
eacn offered amendments which were rejected
Tucker Of Va. moved to insert land no money
appropriated by this act shall be paid for recruit
ing the army beyond the number Of enlisted men
Gncluding Indian scouts and hospital stewards
actually on the army roll on the first of Novem-
Der, 1877, except for cavalry service, aud for en-
ployment exclusively in the defence of the Mexi-
can and Indian frontiers, and so far as only shall
be necessary for that purpose, and no further. Gs
Conger made lint of order that the amend
ment proposed new legislation, and was not IL. in
terest of economy.
The point Of order was sustained.
Tucker then modified his amendment by adding
the words "but nothing herein contained shall
authorize an increase of q cavalry company be-
yond the number now authorized by law, and IN
this shape it WAS declared in order
The amendment was agreed to, Us to lis.
Banning moved to add TO fuckers anne ndment
the words provided nothing herein contained
shall authorize recruiting the army beyond %, 900
enlisted men,"
Adopted.
Crttenden offered another amendment looking
TO the reduction of the force and made some re.
marks eulogistic Of Col. Miles, and rather uncom.
plimentary to Gen. Howard.
Gddings of Tex, explained how il was that rep
resentatives from his state were voting against
their own side Of the House, against any reduc-
ton of the army. The condition Of things on the
Rio Grande frontier required them to resort to
every means TO secure protection.
Maginnis Of Mont. spoke of the unprotected
condition Of the Indian frontier.
After some further debate Atkins moved that
the committee rise.
The committee accordingly rose without action
on the bill, and made divisions on the amend
ments.
The republicans voted solidly aga inst any re-
duction of the army, and were reinforced by the
Texas members and Messrs. Luttrell of Csfor.
mia and Williams of Mich.
In the test vote on fuckers amendment, the
republicans were left without allies.
Hewitt presented petition from the National