The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-03-06
Ehc ARMY in the SOutia.

Mr.. Atkins, OF Tennessee, from the con-
ference committee on the army appropria-
ton bill, reported that the committee had
been unable to agree. He explained that
the committee had made no progress what
ever. 1t had not even been able to agree
upon the simple question OF the salary OF
the General OF the Army. In respect to the
restrictive clause in the bill, the Senate had
been found ;mplacable. AS far as he was
concerned, he could say that he had taken
his position upon that question, and he
should not yield. He was not ready to
take as solemn pledges the little rumors
which had been perVading the Capitol and
the country as to the intended peace policy
OF the gentleman who was about to hold the
reins Of the Government. There was nc
thing in the fifth section OF the bill which
initiated against the Constitution. There
was nothing In it which prevented the pre-
servation of peace. That provision simply
intended that the army should not be used
for the purpose Of setting up rotten
borough government over the wishes and
sentiments OF the people OF the. southern
States. There was but single issue in the
whole matter, and that was whether or not
the army should be a political engine, which
should be used in building up the political
parties OF the country.
Mr.. Foster, Of Ohio, member OF the
conference committee, said that if the re-
strictiye provisions of the bill were disposed
of the committee could easily agree as to
the other questions. While he did not
stand here to speak for anybody, yet he
wished to ask the gentlemen OF the South
was it wise, at this time, when all the indl-
cations pointed to change OF regime
in the Administration, to force upon the
Senate such a provision ? The question pre-
sented itself whether the House by pressing
such provision would force al extra SEES
sion.
MIR. Atkins asked Mr.. Foster if he favored
the policy Of withdrawing troops from
South Carolina and Louisiana and letting
the people OF those States regulate their al
fairs in their own way.
MIR. Foster: believe in the doctrine I
announced here the other day-that the flag
should float over States, not provinces. :,
Mr.. Banks, OF Massachusetts, agreed with
Mr.. Atkins, that pledges from men in or out
OF Office amounted to nothing, but he
wished to call attention to the fact that the
Constitution made the President the COM
mander-in-chief OF the army, and that this
fifth section OF the bill would be OF no more
account IL President thought the use Of
the troops necessary than the whistling of q
hand-organ. II it were necessary to pre-
serve the public peace the army would be
used, aand any President would willingly
hold himself responsible.
Mr.. Garfield, of Ohio, said that the Con-
stitution made it the sworn duty OF the
President to preserve the peace. and 1t was
OF no consequence to say that he should not
be allowed the use of the army. 1t would
dishonor any administration to shackle 1t
with such provision. II gentlemen be-
lieved that they could accomplish apnrpose
in the direction of peace by putting q clog
and menace upon an incoming administers
ton, they neither understood human ma
ture nor the generosity which dWelt In the
/ heart OF man. y Y
Mr.. Tucker, OF Virginia: Then the gem
tleman offers threat. -. z ~ b
lEt Mr. Garfield Not at all.is'ii ls&'Sf