The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-02-02
Republicans Anxious to Steal
the Silver Thunder.
POSSIBLE DEFEAT OF THE BLAND BILL,
SeYious Charges Against
DoorkeePer Polk.
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD FIGHT.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

WASHINGTON, Fob I. 1878
ARMY Observation-Disclosures OF aEN-
ERAL BANNING's BILL.
General Banning's extraordinary bill "to re0rganzc
he army" attracts almost much attention hero as
tho Silver BILL and has little favor either side OF
the House that II Is thought to have but very slight
chance OF over becoming law Ostensibly It Is pro-
posed in the OF economy and reform, but the
economy IN II Is OF tho penny wise and pound foolish
sort. For instance. tho army which now
stands at $4,000 mon, Is reduced to 10000
But experience has shown that TO keep
TOO few men for the work the army has to do
states frequent and very expensive transportation
from distant points. and changes which are much
more costly than the mere pay ana subsistence Of
troops that experts assert that our present army,
overworked and moved about great spaces
costs at least o third more than army OF 10000
men would cost because with tho larger posts
and departments would be strong enough TO do away
with tho continual necessity Of reinforcement from
distant quarters
This, however, 10 the least part Of the Dill, which
not merely cuts down the number Of troops, but
proceeds 10 destroy the Of the army and
breaks down tho skeleton which Il has always been
the policy Of the country to maintain in time of peace
Tho bill reduces tho infantry regiments from twenty
five to fifteen; the cavalry from ten to six and the
artillery from Eve to three and provides for tho dis
mssal or wedding OUT from the army OF all the off,
GERS who are thus made supcrfuous. The West Point
Appropriation bil now before the House. prohibitshe
filling Of vacancies in the classes there which
will cut down the number of cadets about one hail.
ana section 40 Of General Banninas bill decrees that
hereafter professors at West Point shall be appointed
only from the army. rulewhich, itn had existed in
years past would have deprived Academy OF some
having broken down the skeleton organization of the
army and provided for the dismissal OF about one
quarter the officers on the rolls, section Al
Of the bill provides that II Congress shall at any
time either refuse or neglect to make the necessary
appropriations for its support This refusal or neg.
icct shall be deemed equivalent 10 express act
Tor the abolition OF the military establishment, and
The army shall be forthwith dismissed That Is to
say II this section should become Law, dispute
the Army Appropriation BILL such as happened at the
close OF the last session, would peremptory dismiss
every officer and man. from the General OF the Army
down. to private lfe, leaving the next Congrers
create It anew, and out Of such material chose.
Apparently General Banning labors under the i'm
preston that the army Is danger to our libersies
but II 10 objected that his way OF destroying It s In.
convenient, unjust and domoralIz,ng. Hitherto
the army officer has held his place during
life good behavior The army and navy are profess
Aions for which give up greater opportunities In
lilo and more profitable and accept very
orate salaries and many hardships But n this
able though not splendid career were exposed every
year TO sudden termination at the caprice of either
house OF gross respectable would longer
main in 1t and we should see the whole army INK
iousy log rolling at each session Of Congress for the
passage OF tho Military Appropriation bill.
Attention has been attracted hore to the last Soc
ton Of the bill which repeats specifically a. 70 sections
OF tho Revised Statutes, "togother with all others in-
consistent with this BILL" One OF these sections
l,2l8, declares that A .-
No person who has served In any capacity In the
military, naval or civil service Of tho socalied Con-
Tolerate states or OF either OF the States insurrec-
lion during the late rebellion shall appointed to
any position IN the army OF the United States
Mr. Banning moved TO open tho door for the re-
entering Of old officers from the South tho army.
As some Of his opponents he would have done
better to proceed openly. II s very that the
attention OF the House ana the country will DO called
10 his atemp: to repeal this section by It's number
only, and IN manner oisagreeabls to his feelings.
With the Army Reorganization bill comes
one to regulate the pay end allowances
Of officers. and in this the salary Of General Sherman
is cut down from $13 TO $40 0O0 Of General shor
dan from 81. 900 to 49, ooo OF major generals, from
$500 TO 1000. and Now the pay of the army
IN 1870, and tho country, which has not forgotten
the services OF the officers Will hardly agree STOCK"
them still further for the sake OF small economy 1t
Is already evident that General Bannings bill will get
the support Of only small part Of tho democrats IN
either house
she BLAND BILL EXCITING THE SELFISH IN
srINcTs OF OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES TO THE
INTEREST OF THE PARTY PRESENT PROS
Poets OF THE MEASURE.
The Silver bill may ~ last be said to have "got into
politics. ami thoro 10 q fair chance that twill die
Or this disease. Some OF tho republican politicians
have got It into their heads that Is necessary to
Kill the Bland bill. order by this TO make way for
sew silver BILL which they mean 10 father. They
reason thus
II We allow tho Bland bill to pass that may cut
either way. II may disgust the country, when the
people sec that IL fails TO give rclie or may, tho
enable them to carry the fall elections tho peoples
men, It is uncertain how the popular cat may jump.
want the silver dollar TO be circulated, and II
VIC can hrst boat the Bland Dill, ana then
the coinage OF silver collars but protecting Inc debt
and in.erS ana. in iact all past transactions, and II
we make mis- bill republican measure and carry 1t
through, then we can 60 10 the country aud say We
have given you tho dollar Of your daddies and
POUR true friends"
1t is clear enough that II this idea which, 10 eutor.
Iained by some republicans, gets Roadway, II may
,urn out 10 be dangerous to the Bland DILL The
debato In the senate will last q full week
longer. Senators Bayard, Herman, Eaton, Blaine
others will speak, ana II is taken for granted that
several amendments will be adopted by the Senate,
sspeciaxethat giving tho profits OF coinage to tho
Treasury. Tho bill must then return TO tho House,
whore tho disposition OF the silver men Is to adopt the
amendments without debate, and they may be
able to do this, the peculiar rules OF tho House per-
hitting twothirds to gag the remainder and prevent
discussion Of any measure II IL IL passsd II will
then 20 to the President, who will veto II and who
may detan II In his possession for sevon or eight
days, and both housed have then 10 pass upon the
veto, which may OF course load to another debate.
There Is good reason TO believe that the Bland
bill cannot DO passed over the veto. The silver men
themselves begin TO nncn little and talk OF admit
upg an Amendments raising the value OF the dollar.
ba. 1t becomes daily certain that no bill attack
Ing the debt and tho Interest or interfering In past