Daily globe., 1878-05-20
WASHINGTON.
House of REPRESENTATIVES.

House of Representnttves.
! WASHINGTON, May 18.-Mr. Stephens asked
| that it be put upon the record that he was abb
sent on leave of the House yesterday when the
vote was taken upon what is known as the Pot
| ter resolution, and was paired with Mr.. Harris.
But for the pair he would have voted against
the resolution it stood.
Mr.. Ellis, from the committee on elections.
reported a resolution declaring there had been
no fair and free peaceable election in the first
congressional district of South Carolina; that
neither Mr.. Rainey, the sitting member, nor
MIR. Richardson, the contestant, entitled to
the seat, He stated that he would call up the
resolution Thursday next.
The speaker appointed Messrs. Sparks, Single
ton and Baker conferees on the Indian appro-
priation bill.
MIR. Durham, from the conference commit
| tee on the military academy BILL reported that
| the committee had been unable to agree. A
further conference was ordered, and Messrs.
Durham Clymer and Smith of Pennsylvania
| were appointed conferees.
The speaker laid before the House
sage from the Secretary of State in regard to
| the fishery commission. Referred.
The bill for election Of a delegate to the
| House from the Indian Territory was ordered
| printed and recommitted.
On motion of Mr.. Smith Of Pennsylvania the
| Senate amendments to the pension ap-
| preparation bill were non-concurred in and
Messrs. Smith of Pennsylvania, Hewitt of New
York, and Sparks were appointed conferees.
The House then went into committee of the
whole, Mr.. Sprague of Illinois in the chair, on
the army appropriation bill.
| MIR. Hewitt, of New York, who has charge of
the bill, in his statement said he regarded the
crucial test of craftsmanship to be renuction
Of the burdens Of taxation SO that the hand of
| Iohn
earned. That idea had been the pole star
which the committee on appropriations had set
| before it. The reduction of expenditures in
1877 had been twenty-five millions.
Mr.. Foster-I beg pardon. The reduction
| does not amount to twelve millions.
| Mr. Hewitt reaffirmed his statement and
added: The expenditures should be still fur
ther reduced twenty-five millions. The cost of
the army in 1860, amounted to As per cent. per
head of the entire population, and in 1877 to
81 cents. Tha made difference of between
four and five millions. The pending bill eff
fected a saving of 1851 900, and that without
| touching the pay of soldier or of an officer,
and without reducing the strength of the army
by single musket. The saving effected
in administration. On the test Of population
1861 surplus of GOT officers and of 1928 men.
On test Of armv posts now and in 1860, fifty
three of the present forts being useless there
was also surplus in the strength of the army.
While the pay proper of the general Of the
army was 5000, his actual pay, with commu-
tation allowances, was $l7, 900; the pay proper
of the lieutenant general $1,000, the actual
pay was 1906; pay proper Of q major general
$500, actual pay, $9,504; pay proper of a
colonel SO, 500, or with longevity pay $4,000,
actual pay $6,l77, and so on all the way down
the actual pay averaged from rs to so
proposed to change all these allowances for
forage, fuel and quarters. Forage would be
supplied to those officers who used horses in
the public service, and none would be supplied
to those who did not SO use horses. Quarters
would be supplied only at military stations
and iu the field. Fuel would be supplied by
the government at the rate of So per cord Of
wood. This would be benefaction to the Off
GERS, and saving of at least two hundred
thousand dollars to the government. On the
whole, the provisions of the bill on the subject
of compensation were liberal and ample.
He claimed that the bill did not reduce the
strength of the army by one musket, that it
did not force out of the army single officer
who chose to reman in it and who ought to re-
main in it.; that it did not reduce the pay of
the army, but only cut off allowances that are
an abuse; that it leaves army officers with bet
ter pay than is received in civil life for equally
important services, or that is received by Off
GERS of the navy; that the savings effected were
simply in administration and can be largely in
creased, and that by it relief would be extern
four million dollars.
Mr.. McCook criticised the reductions pro-
posed. Referring to the bill prepared by the
chairman of the committee on military affairs
he said section in that bill providing for the
disbandment of the army had been seriously
contemplated and had received the sanction of
distinguished members of that committee, and
possibly of the appropriation committee.
Mr.. Hewitt object to any such statement
J. as to the committee appropriations. 1t is
entirely unfounded on fact.
Mr. McCOOk-I said possibly.
Mr.. Hewitt still object to the statement
and ask the gentleman to confne himself tt
facts.
Mr.. McCook-It is an unquestioned FACT
that such section providing for the disband
ment of the army, in case of the failure o.
Congress to pass the army appropriation bill
was incorporated in army bill; that it was
discussed and defended, and that for over two
months it was obstinately adhered to, and thai
should make us hesitate before agreeing to fol
low other suggestions from the same source
, even when accepted by the committee on ap
preparation.
The committee then rose and the speake
stated he would be absent the early part o
next week, and Mr.. Eden offered resolution
appointing Mr.. Sayler speaker pro tenn. Adopt
ed.
1t was arranged there should be evening ses
sions for regular business purposes next week
Ad journed.