The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-11-14

Mr.. ABRAM s HEWITT II an intelligent,
successful, and high-minded man of bust
ness, and has in the main earned public ap-
proyal as II discreet and capable legislator
In the House Of Representatives. For this
reason his course ON the Army bill causes
surprise and prOvokes criticism. Some
thing more was expected from his habit Of
Investigation than from the general run Of
Congressman who fall into line behind party
leaders and vote blindly on the call Of the
roll. Mr.. HEWITT is "A member Of the Com
mttee on Appropriations who reported the
bill, and he is therefore responsible in part
for its recommendations. In the debate the
other day he defended the committee and
the wisdom Of the bill, and we cite from
his remarks ON that subject, because they
were not hasty or passionate, but were
intended to present the best cast that could
be made out by the champions Of this cx-
traVagant measure
But this que stion demand, 1an ra J-s.l,
eis. IT. IN view O the iAct that tie oh'ers and who
have noby done their duty to-day in default pay
aud IN actual suffering because the United States has not
dis hanged is Just obligation u them For that
hiD aaei he ga,,iioh at tho time whether
tle army should be reduced or
" II cir. should ac,Jt he .hatioi ne
tnd a. Here Is an army authorized by law, all army IA
existence not by the action ot the Committee Appro.
prlauons but by statute at the United States and when
hs sand that the President has violated his duty
tanning H. Isiy he Wohi hr, ,kioi he dig }, had
"ntnmreh hcher j. there time 10 consider tile ducs
ton whether the army is sufficient 10 perform the work
that belongs 10 IL
But to-day the prc.cnce OF tho people of TIL. coun.
try, let pay the men whoha, done their work ttus
P'o'tt Jo' he ~py"t ~ ne aHs az. e"d" according To
Tie actual number service, without question 10
whether II l. twenty thousand niieen thousand og tween
ty.hNe thousand
Now these are extraordinary propositions.
They appear to Us discordant with reason
aud public policy. Let US examine them
separately:
l. Take the question Of time, upon which
Mr.. HEWITT and others lay 50 much stress.
Congress was called together specially, and
almost exclusively, to consider this subject.
The country expected it would be examined
with care and delberation. There was no
reason for haste, such as might be pleaded
nj II regular session, with the usual variety
OF legislation TO clog the committees and
the House Nothing stood in the way Of a
thorough investigation, and If it has not
been made, the responsibility Justly falls on
the Committee on Appropriations.
An opportunity was offered which may
not soon recur, 10 have reached the bottom
fact of the army organization, and to have
settled once for all the disputed points which
have heretofore vexed the public patience
and confused the appropriations. Suppose
This inquiry could not have been fully com
pleled before the first Monday in December
ana had tapped over into TIA" regular ses-
SION what them The country would have
pr"l,'d by the Information thus obtained,
ana the money for the army could hereafter
De voted understandingly, To say this duty
u'm"nds more time than we can possibly
yWe IT, as MI HEWITT says, 10 denial Of