Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-11-12
FORIY.FIFTH CONGRESS.
Extra Session.
House.

WASHINGTON, November TO-
Banning asked leave to offer resolution direct
ing the military committee to inquire into the to-
tai number of officers and men in the army the lst
of July, lst of September and LIST OF November,
1877, and where such men were employed during
the year.
Also the number and rauk of all officers on the
retired list; number and rank of all officers the
active list and to what duties they are assigned
The humber and rank of those absent on leave !;
the condition of affairs on the Mexican border /;
number and character of the troops on that from
tier; conduct of iary operations there; wheth
er any additional military protection ought to be
provided for defence of the border against Indians
and Mexicans and giving the committee author
ity to send for persons and papers.
Conger objected to the clause authorizing the
committee to send for persons and papers.
Banning Withdrew that clause.
Garfield objected to the resolution.
The resolution was not received.
The House went into a committee of the whole
on the army bill pending the amendment being
that offered by Crlttenden.
The amendment limits recruiting in the cavalry
and infantry to the number in the service on the
first inst.
Banks addressed the committee and read let
Ter from lady who spent some time last fall al
one Of the frontier posts, stating thBt the condl
ton Of the men there was very dangerous, and
calling attention to the fact that Eng fish insurance
companies refused 10 insure the lives of United
states omcefs, because the Unlteu States govern
ment exposed the lives Of officers too much.
Crittenden asked Banks how many soldiers are
now stationed in Washington.
Back replied he had not the slightest informa-
ton on that subject.
He also said was speaking of soldiers on the
frontier, who were deprived of all things that
were necessary to enable them to defend the posts
they occupy.
Crittenden said he understood there were two
fu II regiments stationed at Washington. Why
were those regiments not removed from the city
to the fronterf
Banks asked why the gentleman did not offer
an amendment to that effect.
Critten said the President had power to remove
the troops, why had he not done sol
Banks answered that The understanding was
that the President had no money to transport the
troops.
Tie question was then taken on Crittendens
amendment, and il was rejected, l04 to III.
Atkins, chairman of the appropriation commit
tee, had reed q C mmunication from the adjutsnt
general referring to Atkins speech on Thursday,
where he stated the secretary of war had given
the number of troops IN service the 30th of Octo-
Der as q 1863, and that he had sent despatch to
the adjutant general, requesting more definite in
formation, to which despatch he had received no
reply.
The adjutant general says he did send q tele-
graphic reply to this despatch, giving the number
at q 1902, aud saying that it had been increased by
539 since his communication of the 10th OF Octo-
DER. WHICH WIN tne ioTty III the sibhdl corps
would make the whole number % ,302.
Atkins went on to say that the despatch said to
have been sent by the adjutant general had not
been received and that there was no trace of it in
the impression book of the telegraph operator at
the capital and he called attention to the fact that
since the draught of the bill had been commenced
the army had been increased bySover 800 men
without any appropriation for recruiting. He
would not make any comment upon this fact. 1t
is its own comment.
An amendment offered by Mr.. Hooper of Mis-
sissippi prohibiting the of troops to suppress
Instruction or protect order In any State except
on dtmsnd of the Legislature or executive, caused
an animated discussion, Garfield leading the OPP
position and pointing out the danger of having
such law on the statute book as would have in
1861 tied the hands of the President and wrought
the destruction of the government.
After an exciting debate, Hoopers amendment
was rejected, 80 to 1877.
Adjourned,