The Leavenworth weekly times., 1878-02-21

the army OF persons not commissioned off
GERS or privates. Adopted. The motion 10
strike out was then d feated.
The section which provides that when a
cadet has once matriculated a. West Poin;
no other appointment from the same Con-
gressional District shall be made during
The term for which such cadet was appoipt,
ed, II vacancy should occur from any
cause other than death or physical disabili-
ty, was stricken out.
Mr.. CLIMER offered an auendmen,
providing that only such 4 number Of grad
mates from the military academy in apy one
year shall be entitled to apnointment
as second lieutenants, unles. 70.
quired to till.vacancies in that grade ey-
isting on July lst of each year, those enti-
tied to such appointments 10 be determined
On the basis OF the standing Of the graduating
class, and hereafter no supernumerary Off
GERS shall be attached 10 any corps of the
army, and all graduates OF the academy not
attached to the army under the provisions
OF this act shall be discharged on gradua-
ton from the academy.
Mr.. REAGAN offered substitute for the
amendment providing that as vacancies oc-
cur in the academy, every alternate vacan-
cy shall remain vacant Tor one academic
term, so that there shall be one half of the
present number of cadets
MIR. SOUTHARD, in supporting Mr..
Clymer's amendment, referred TO the evil of
large standing army. Ii was the history
Of the world that standing armies sapped
the liberties OF the people. This country
had seen instances of the tyranny and OPP
preston OF the standing army, notably in
the last presidential election Ten thousand
men would be sufficient 10 protect our bor-
der, while Congress had kept an army OF
1000 all these years for the purpose OF
harrassing the people, and for the purpose
Of overriding constitutional principles.
\ lony, exciting, and somewhat personal
discussion ensued, attended at times by
scenes OF great disorder, the debate running
off into Louisiana affairs, the electoral col
lege bill, the Presidents southern policy,
etc. Finally The debate closed and
the comparatively prosy business of the
West Point bill was resumed. For the hour
or two that this personal and political skir
mish lasted the scenes in the House were of
a highly exciting character. The members
on the Republican side seemed to enioy the
war on the opposite side of the chamber and
were most eager in the encouragement of
the antagonists whom Hewitt had in hand
and Conger was constantly and irrepressi-
bly, on his feet, seeking opportunities to
send poisoned arrows into the enemy's
camp. The remarks made by Mr.. Garfield
were delivered with even more than his
usual earnestneSs and vehemence, and the
applause which greeted them from his own
side OF the House was hearty and spoptane-
Gus. But with all the confusion and ex-
citement of the scene there was an entire
absence OF any dangerous element or bitter
party feeling. 1t only seemed 10 be pecu-
liarly reiished and enjoyed as a pleasant
contrast to the daily duliness of the session
of the House
Mr.. REGANiS amendment was rejected.
and Mr.. Clymer's agreed to and the bill wa
reported to the House, but without final ac-
tion the House adjourned.
The SPEAKER laid before the House
communication from the Secretary of thu
Treasury stating that the internal revenue
of the government has fallen of "a ,969, coo,
principally on account Of the agitation in
regard TO the tax on tobacco and whisky,
and recommending the House 70 take i'm
mediate act'on on the subject.
The SPEAKER laid before the House a
communication from the Secretary of the
Treasury, enclosing copy of the letter to
him from the Commissioner of Internal Rev
enue, setting out that the internal revenue
receipt. for the current fiscal year,
including yesterday, "a compared with
the same time last wear, have
suffered decrease of S1,969,2lS,
and suggesting as one OF the causes of this
decrease the agitation of the reduction of
the tax on spirits and tobacco. The Secre-
tary urged upon Congress, in anticipation
oil the same rate OF decrease continuing
during the next fiscal year. reduction Oi
the appropriation 10 be made for the service
Of the government during that fiscal year,
or an increase of taxation in such form as
might be deemed best. The letter from the
Commissioner of Internal Revenue recon-
mends the passage OF resolution in regard
to tobacco similar to that passed some time
ago in regard to the tax on distilled spirits.
declaring a reduction of the tax on that
article inexpedien'.
Mr.. WOOD, tof y. y in moving to re-
fer the communication to the committee
on appropriations, said that it was an error
to assume that the incidental circumstances
which had caused the falling off in the rev.
enue were OF character that entitled them
to any very great consideration at the other
end of the avenue. Ii it had been assumed
by the Secretary Of the Treasury, that Con-
gress had no right to alter exis
ting laws, however vicious they
might be lest the revenue fall off, he
Wood took issue with that assumption
Congress had charged an important COM
mittee with the entire revision of the ques-
zion Of taxes, and il, in consequence of the |
agitation incidental 10 the delay in |
the preparation OF the bill the rev.
enues had fallen of, he attached no partic-
ular importance to that fact but If the |
Department assumed to dictate |
to Congress what it should do in regard to /
whisky or tobacco, or any other subjects OF |
he thought it went little beyond |
The legitimate executive prerogative belong
ing to it. He concgrred with the Secretary.
however, that the expenditures OF the gov
should be c1rtailcd.
not quarrel with the Secretary of the
Treasury in regard TO the wisdom or un-
wisdom Of sending in a communication,
,ut should pass some law settling the qres
ion OF the tax on whisky and tobacco, and
nus Dusiuc>s tb ~ OD SUE |
ering from any agitation.
Mr.. WOOD said that it was an entire
rror to legislate by piecemeal. Ii the
iOuse should pass upon those two ques-
ions. it would interfere with the general
ystem of taxation. Ii Congress should
axe part of the system out OF the hands
1 the committee which had charge of it, i,
Iould derange the whole system. He OBJ
,cted TO that style.
Mr.. TUCKER thought the communica-
ion should 60 to the committee on ways y.
nd means, but he denied that the rednc-
on of the tax on whisky and tobacco
ould reduce the receipts OF the govern
rent,
Mr.. WOOD accepted the amendment to
md the communication to the committee !
a ways and means, and after considerable !
the communication was finally
,ferred to that committee.
The House then proceeded to act on the
ilitary academy bill. All amendments
ported from the first were agreed to, and
le bill passed
The House then went into committee OF r
e whole on the state of the Union, and
ok up the bill granting pensions to sol 7
ers and sailors OF the, Mexican and other
ars. The bill directs the Secretary of the =
,terior to place on the pension rolls the
lines of surviving officers and enlisted
en- including the militia and volun-
ers of the military and naval services \
ho served sixty days in the Mexican, or ,,
irty days in the Creek, Seminole or Black n
lwk wars, or to their surviving widows VI
ho have not remarked. IL,
Mr.. HERBERT addressed the commit n
E in advocacy Of the bill. pr,
Mr.. POWERS spoke in opposition to it G
cause it opened wide, new door by cf
lich millions Of dollars would be drawn