New-York tribune., 1878-05-24
HEWlTT'S ARMY BILL HARD HIT.
A VOTE IS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WHICH
SEEMS TO DEFEAT ANY REDUCTION OF THE
ARMY.


SEEMS TO DEFEAT ANY REDUCTION OF THE
ARMY.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
WasBINGToN. MAY 23.-The best laid plans Of
Democratic caucuses go oft awry. 1t leaked out in
priyate conversation to-day that the Democrats
had a secret agreement to stand by the Appropria-
tiOns Committee in its proposed reduction of the
army. On the strength Of this agreement
Mr.. Hewitt reported his Army Bill, and
called it up for the consideration OF the
House, feeling confident that the work he
had done was not to be wasted. But
some Of the Democrats did rot feel bound by this
agreement, if they were ever parties to it. and so
when vote was reached in Committee of the
Whole to-day on Mr. Throckmortons amendment
maintaining the force of the army at its present
standard, the amendment was agreed to. Of the
llj who voted in the affirmative, five were Repre-
sentives from Texas (Mr. Reagan only voting with
his party). and there were also Democrats from
Colorado, California and one General Williamst
from Michigan.
BThis vote seemed to staggcr Ar. Hewitt, although
everybody else has expected it ever since the Dill
was reported, and he seemed after that to lose
most of his interest in the measure. If the Demo
Gratis really instructed MIR. Hewitt to propose re-
ductioD of the army to 10000 men and he bad
reason TO believe that they would enforce party
disciplnc in such way as 10 sustain him, he GER
taiuly has lust cause of complaint As it is, the
Democratic reyolutiODists who are so anxious TO
destroy the army, have met with another wafer
100 defeat and the country Will have to thank the
Republicans. who have stood with unbrokeh ranks
against their mischcyOus schemes.
Subsequently, the Republicans attempted to Strke
ont those sections of the bill which propose fcor-
ganization of the STAFF Corps, changes IN the make
up of regiments and the mastering out or placing on
supernumeIaTy list Of fifty or sixty officers, ana 10
substitute q section providing Tor commission 10
recommend army reforms. This the Democrats de-
feated, although during the evening session they
were unable TO keep control OF the bill. Ihere IL
reason to believe that the whole measure may De so
changed before the House gets through with IL that
its author will hardly know IT.
prominent Democratic member explained the
trouble which the Appropriations Committee had
with the Army Bill this evening by saying: There
was too much whiskey on our side, and too many OF
you"
One Of the most effective speeches made against
the Banning features of the bill was that de-
livered to-day by Major Maginnis, the dele
| gate from Montana. That delegate represents
| the people who are constantly exposed to
! the attacks Of warke Indians and who have sut-
tered repeatedly account OF the insuiiciency OF
! ihe Army Having given much study 10 this sub
lect he was able 10 attack even its strongest
tsatures ana TO demonstrate to the House the folly
! OF attempting TO reOTganizc the army in the way
proposed VI course he was chiefly opposed to the
reduction. but incidentally criticised with great
severity other features OF the bill.