Daily globe., 1878-05-19
House Of ReDrescn ntntircs.

OF the Government to Resume.
House Of ReDrescutntiUes.
WASHINGTON, May l6.-Mr. Stephens asked
that it be put upon the record that he was abb
sent on leave of the House yesterday when the
vote taken upon what is known as the Pot
ter resolution, and was paired with MIR. Harris.
But for the pair he would have voted against
the resolution as it stood.
Mr.. Ellis, from the committee on elections,
reported resolution declaring there had been
no fair and free peaceable election in the first
congressional district of South Carolina; that
neither Dir. Rainey, the sitting member, nor
Mr.. Richardson, the contestant, was 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 the Indian appro-
priatiOn bill.
Mr.. 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 mes
sage from the Secretary of State in regard to
the fishery commission. Referred.
The bill for election Of delegate to the
printed and recommitted.
On motion of Mr.. Smith of Pennsylvania the
Senate amendments to the pension ap-
preparation bill non-concurred in and
Messrs. Smith of Pennsy sylvania, Hewitt Of New
York, and Sparks were appointed conferees.
The House then went into committee of the
whole, MIR. Sprague of Illinois in the chair, on
the army appropriation bill.
hir. Hewitt, OF New York, who has charge of
the bill, in his statement said he regarded the
crucial TEST of craftsmanship to be a renuction
of the burdens Of taxation so that the hand of
abor might reap its reward and keep it when
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 reafrmed 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
54 CENTS Tha; made u difference Of between
four and five millions The pending bill ef-
fected a saving of 1851, 900, and that without
touching the pay OF a soldier of an officer,
and without reducing the strength of the army
by single muskct The saving was effected
in administration. On the test Of population
the army contained now, as compared with
1860, Il surplus Of GOT officers and of 7 22S men.
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 $4,000, his actual pay, with commu-
tat,9n allowances was $l7, 600; the pay proper
of the lieutenant general, Sl1 ,UOO the actual
pay was S13, 0G6; pay proper Of u major general
$500, actual pay, $9,504; pay proper of
colonel $4,000, or with longevity pay ~. 800,
actual pay Sc, IT, and so on all the way down
the actual pay averaged from IS to 50
ITO
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 use horses. Quarters
would be supplied only at military stations
and i'll the field. Fuel would be supplied by
the government at the rate of S3 per cord of
wood. This would be u benefaction to the otli-
GERS, and a 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 III 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 e ually
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
ded to the law makers to the amour: of nearly
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 a section in that bill providing for the
dlsbandment 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
as to the committee on appropriations. 1t is
entirely unfounded ON fact.
Mr. McCook-I said possibly.
MIR. Hewitt still object to the statement,
and ask the gentleman to confne himself to
facts.
Mr.. McCook-It is an unquestioned fact
that such section providing for the disband-
ment of the army, in case OF the failure of
Congress to pass the army appropriation bill,
was Incorporated in an army bill that it was
discussed and defended, and that for over two
months it was obstinately adhered to, and that
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 speaker
stated he would be absent the early part OF
next week, and Alr. Eden offered a resolution
appointing Mr. Sayler speaker pro TEN. Adopt
ed.
1t was arranged there should be evening ses-
slons for regular business purposes next Week
Adjourned.