The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-05-19
THE ARMY APPROPRIATIONS.
MR.. HEWITT OPENING THE DEBATE IN
THE HOUSE ON ms BILL.
Claiming that Il Effects - Saving OF 81. s7f 900,
without Reducing the Number OF Muskcts
"A. II. stephens Making his Record.

Ia known ms the Potter resolution. and was
pnired with Mr. Harris Of Massachusetts. But
for the pair he would have voted against that
resolution MS it stood.
Mr.. Ellis Dem. La.). from the Committee on
Elections reported resolution declaring there
had been no fair. free. and peacenble election
in tho First Congressional District Of South
Carolina and that neither Mr. Rainey the sit
ting memberl nor Mr.. Richardson tho con-
testant was entitled to the seat. He said that
he would call the resolution up next Thursday.
The Speaker appointed Mcssrs Sparks. Sim
gleton. and Baker tlnd.) rs confcrees on the In
dian Appropriation bill.
Mr.. Durham Dem. ky.). from the Conference
Committee on the Military Academy Appropria-
ton bill. reported that the committee had been
unable to agree A further conference was
ordered and ATessrs. Durham. Clymer. and
Smith Pa were appointed conicrees.
The Speaker laid before tho House message
from Rutherford b. Hayes transmitting n COM
municaion from tho Secretary OF State in re-
gnre to the Fishery Commission Referred to
the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Mr.. Throckmorton Dem. Tex.l, from the
Committee on Territories. reported bill for
the election of delegate to the House from tho
Indian Territory. Printed and recommittcd.
On motion Of Mr. Smith rep, Pa the Senate
amendments to the Pension Appropriation bill
were non concurred In. and Mcssrs. Smith pa.
Hewitt tN. " and Sparks were appointed as
conforces on that bill.
The House then went into Committee Of the
Whole tMr. Springer in the chair on the Army
Appropriation bill.
Mr.. Hewitt Dem. n. W who has charge Of
the bill. said that he regarded the crucial test Of
statesmanship 10 be the reduction Of the bur-
dens OF taxation. so that the hand of labor might
Ia. Il
| idea had been the pole star which the Commit
tee on Appropriations had set before II. The
been SOS. 900 600.
Mr. Foster tRcp.. OIL beg pnrion. The re-
| du ton does not amount to sl2 100000.
Mr. Hewitt renfirmel his statement. and
| added tina, the expenditures should be stu
! further reduced twenty-five millions. Tho cost
| OF the army in 1860. he said. amounted 20 45
| cents per head of The entire population. and in
! 1877 To 81 cents Tint made di.rence of be-
! tween $4,000. 600 and $500 On0 900. The pending
bill effected saving ~ s3sl 900. and that with
ont touching the may Of n soldier or of an Off
and without reducing the strength Of ~"
army. hy u single musget III" saving was
/ effected in administration, and that was the
mittoe should proceed. lie denied that
! that committee. or the Democratic party
wHs influenced In its action by any hostility to
| the army. IN that connection he criticised and
reulied 10 Mr.. Haril ia article in the last two
said that in that article Mr.. Garfield had do
srended to the low level OF pdrtlsanship. On
| the test OF population. tn" army contained now.
ia compared with 1860. surplus Of COZ officers
and 7,22S men. On the test Of army posts now
| anc in 1860. ilty-three OF the present
/ posts being useless. there was also n
surplus in the strength Of the army.
/ llo thought that there wa, no danger OF an In
dian war As to the use oi the army 10 put
/ down labor strikes, he said TINT II was not in
| accordance with the republican principle OF the
Govrrnment TO keep an army u restrain any
| portion Of the people from exercising any Just
riFht Tho right To- strike was Just right. II
! those strikes gave rise TO disorders II was tho
duty OF the states Individually 10 repress
| them. IL formed NJ part Of the business
/ ~ the general Government 10 supply hy
- power. any neglect on tho part OF tho
/ state to do lis duty. What the Government
ought TO do WIS t. organic national mill
tia system throughout the country. He was
in favor OF encouraging rifle clubs. tor "A ropub-
lican country mood never fear disorder when
| which VS. Haunted before Congress a. a reason
| why the army should be- increased, TINT never
| had had footing. and ncy"r would have a foot
| ing. in ths land. unless CONGRESS Should IN
| derttke 70 police the country with 4 standing
! army. IL that were done. Communism would
| break out IN every town in the country. But II
! Communism should break out. the Pres ldent
WIS authorized 10 cali out ihe militia. IL had
hr,n said that the militia would sympNth q,
/ with the mob. but he a. not believe 10. H. did
not o'u'Ne that thrse VINO composed IN" militia
| were 80 ignorant OF their rights and duties as
citizens. |. thcy We're. tins whole Goyrrnrlrnt
| was founded on a delusion. and the rnnnlu-i on
would be arrived 1T that the country mast b..
! governed tN also.uti~in. II the militia could
not he trusted, republican institution, were q
49,, t'fi~ 80 ~ - ~. N' 80
| the bill. lee sluk" OF the manner in which the
committee proposed to deal with the allowances
ne H''' army my was $1,000, his s actual - ny
with combination all0wancrsl. was sl7. 600.
~" pay proper % the lieutc nant-Genrral was
| $1,000: his actual pay, SIS UG6. The pay proper
oi MAJ r-General was 300; his actual pay,
SH5li. The nay proper 81 a Colonel was s3,5uu
lur with longevity pay. 81 800; his actual pay,
S6lII And 80 on all the way down. the actual
pay ranged from twenty five 70 nifty per cont
tine prOupr. The bill nrOuJ,el Ia
change all these allowances for forage. iuel
and quarters. Forage would be supplied u
service. and none would be supplied to those
who did not So use horses. Quarters would
and in Tie deld. Fuel woail De- supplied by The
government at the rate OF 50 per cord Of wood
rms would DE heneiAction TO officers, and a
saving OF at least 100000 e. the Government
He Ass 'rted that on the whole. the provis ions
Of the bill on the subject Of compensation wcr.
liberal ana ample, In conclusion. he claimed
TINT the bill did not reduce the strength Of tho
army by one mdskot; That II did not force ont
main III ii. and who ought L. remain in ii; that
II dii not reduce the pay o.. the army. but only
;ut on hl"Wan'.s ihat are On abuse; that Il
leaves the army officers with better pay than il
received IN c.yli lie for equally important ser
vices. or than rs received by officers OF the navy
istrnlio and can be largely Increased. and
thut b. It RELIEF would I've extended 10 tho tax
PAYERS 70 the amount Of nearly 1000 600.
Mr.. McCook rep. n. y said that whatever
Of good the bill contained had been drawn from
| tho professional knowledge OF those who hnC
studied the subject OF the army. Referring e
hill prepared by the Chairman Of the Com
miitee on Military Affairs ne said that "A section
IN that bin providing for the disarmament o
the army had been seriously contemplated. anC
had received the sanction Of distinguisheo
! members of that committee. and possibly OF til,
| Augmentation Committee.
Mr.. Hewit-l object 70 any such statement ms
to the COMMITTEES on Appropriations. 1t is EN-
tirey unfOunded IN fact.
Mr.. MrCook-- ! said possibly"
Mr.. Hewitt still object 10 the statement, an(
ask the gentleman to conilue himself to facts
Mr.. McCook--lt is IN unquestioncd fact tina
such u section providing Tor the dislnndmen
OF the nrmv in ease OF tn" failure Of Congrrs,
10 pass the Army appropriations bin WAS incOr
porntrd IN an army bill. that 1t WINS disrusso,
aud defended and that for over two months i
WAS ohstnniry adhered to. And that shout
make Us hesitate before agreeing to follow
other suggestions from the same source, ever
when adopted by the Committee on Appropriu
lions.
A the close of Mr.. McCook's speech the com
miteG ro-r.
The Speaker said that he would be nhscn
during the carly part OF next week. There
upon a resolution WAS offered 10y Mr.. Elrl
tDem., III. -, and adopted, appointing Mr.. Sayle
tDcm., Ohio Spnnker pro tent Ii was ais
arranged thai there should bee even ing session
tor rcsulur business purposes an Through mex
H.. III a "a