The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-11-11
DEBATE ON THE ARMY BILL.

Mr. BANNING, (dcm.) OF Ohio, asked leave to ofrcr
resolution directing tho Military Commlteo to In.
qure into tho total number Of officers and enlisted
In the army tho Isl Of July, 1st or September
and the LIST OF November, 1877, and whore such men
have been employed during the prcscut fiscal year:
the number and rank Of all officers tho retired list
the number and rank OF all officers tho active list
aud what duties they assigned, tho number and
rank OF those officers absent leave tho number and
location Of all posts and FORTS the condition or affairs
on tho Mexican frontier, the number ana
character OF tho troops on that frontier
tho conduct OF military operations there and
whether any additional military protection ought
TO provided for tho defence OF the border against
Indians and McxicaDs, aud giving the committee au-
thority to send for persons and papors.
Mr. CoyaER, (rop.) Of Mich, objected to tho clause
authorizing tho Committee to sond for persons and
papers.
Mr.. BANNING withdrew that clause, but Mr.. GARFIELD
(rep) OF Ohio objected the resolution and II was
not received.
THE ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL
Tho House then, at twenty-five minutes past twelve
O'Clock, won't into Committee OF tho Whole, Mr.. Cox
(dcm) ofN Y, In tho chair, tho Army Appropria-
tion BILL the pending amendment being that offered By
Mr. Critcndcn, tdcm) Of Mo-, limiting tho recruiting
In tho cavalry infantry to tho number in tho SER
vice on the LIST INST.
ME BANKS, (repl Of Mass, addressed tho COM
mittoe and read letter which he had received from
q lady who had spent timo last fail at one or tho
frontier posts stating that the condition OF the mon
there very dangerous, and calling attention TO the
fact that English insurance companies refused
sure the lives OF United states officers because
United States government exposed the lives OF officers
too much.
Mr.. CalrrKSDEs asked Mr.. Banks how many soldiers
were now stationed IN Washington?
ur. BANKS replied that no had not tho slightest In
formation that subject. He speaking or tho
soldiers tho frontier, who were deprived OF all
things necessary TO enabie hcm to defend me posts
which they occupied
Mr.. CRITTExDES said that he undcrs,ood that there
werc two lull regiments stationed At Washington.
Why were those regiments not removed from tho city
to the frontierr
Mr.. BANKS asked why the gentleman did not oner
Mr.. CRITTESDEy said That tho President had tho
power TO remove tho troops Why had no not done
MIR. BANKS answered that his undcrstan ding was
that tho President had no money TO transport the
troops.
The question was taken on Mr.. Crittendens amend.
mert, and IL was rejected by vote OF 1o4 10 III.
VINO ~ REsPoxsIDLE2
Mr.. ATKINS, (dem. OF Tenn, chairman OF tho Ap.
preparation Committee, sont TO tho Clerks desk and
mad read communication from the Adjutant General
referring to Mr.. Atkins speech on Thursday In which
he stated that the Secretary OF War had given tho
number OF troops service the Both OF October
II, 363 and that he had sent despatch to The Adju
tant General requesting more definite Information,
which despatch ne had received no reply Tho Adju-
tant General says that he did send q teIe-
graphic reply to this despatch giving tho number at
Il eo2 and saying that u had been increased BY sac
since his communication OF tho Both OF October,
winch, with the 400 IN the Signal Service corps would
make the whole number ~. 3U2. Mr.. Atkins went
say that tho despatch said TO have been by the
AdJutant General had not been received and that
there trace OF It IN the impression book OF tue
telegraph operator NJ the Capitol and no called alton
ton the TACT that since the draugit OF tho bill had
been commenced the army had been Increased by over
nvc hundred men, without authority Of law and with
out any Appropriation Tor recruiting. lie would not