Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-04-02

lHE APPROPRIATION blI.lsS-1UTTING llOWN
THE ARMY TO RE-oRGANIzE 1T IN FAVOR OF
THE SoUTH--GENERAL HOWARD
WASHINGTON, March 90, 1873
To tie Editor Of the Kennebec J9urnai.
AT last the appropriation bills for the approach
ing fiscal year are being reported to the House
The army bill, under the supervision of Banning,
is some Sc 000,00 less than last year. reduces the
number Of general officers about twoihrds, the
staff and line about third and the ianF and file
from $4,000 to 10000 Thus is our mere
skeleton Of an army SUBJECT to proposition 10
still further scrape its bones and sinews. This
may look well enough in a very narrow retrench-
ment view, which some people take of these mat.
tiers; but when general Indian war. or universal
rioting or political disturbances arise, as they are
likely to at any moment, how ridiculousy small
and inadequate may be these forces that are SO
thoroughly organized and drilled for such emer-
gencies Why Is il, in view of recent trou-
bles, when democratic Governors of States fran
tically aud almost piteously called for these vet
Grams, that now, when the troubles have hardly
subsidized, democratic Congress will attempt to
thin out its ranks aad demoraze its organization
May there not be method IN this madnessf Can
there not be effort TO dispace at least one
half of the good and true Union officers who
bravely stood by the flag in It's hour of peril on
the hue and cry Of economy retrenehmeat; and
then, when the army is at its lowest with a demo
cratic, or pro-Southern administration IN powe,
increase it again and till its increased positions
with men inimical to Northern principlesi do
not assert this probable, but possible design,
and as the same idea has been limited at before and
on seemingly UNSUITABLE reasons, IAhink | am not
TO be considered unnecessary alarmist when
moot the question again. With the spirit lately
manifest at the South wi h the assertion so often
of late made that that intends and will act
as unit in the political future, aud with the I'M
disguised effort to get control of the legislative
| branches of the government, and through these
the Treasury | think that there is more than
possibility that this faction may work for the ulti-
mate control of the army nation which has
once been put in jeopardy by such party as these
represent, should be very careful how 1t allows 1t
to again WELD controlling power and interest.
Is there any other nation that would allow it un-
der any circumstances
The Navy Bill is somewhat of a retrenchment
from last years although the reduction does not
compare with that Of the Army Bill. The Legis-
laive, Judicial and Executive b II presents a re-
ducton of about 100000, the clipping being most
y taken from the salaries of the poorer paid off
cals of the government | see nothing in the bill
which reduces the salaries of Senators, members
of Congress, or the officials Immediately employed
under them. Why is this IT, as is often assert
ed, member Of Congress or Cabinet officer can
scarcely live on his salary which rates at s., 900
and $4,000 respectively, why should the hard
working mental who drudges the year round on
one-ffth these salaries be obliged to suffer a re-
ducton of bis pittaDces Here are men trying to
serve the government and raise families on one
thousand or twelve hundred dollars year, with
no prospect ahead, in case of dismissal, but star.
walton or beggary; and yet these wise gislators
propose for the sake of street retreaehment to lop
off a hundred two of even these starvation sal
aries If, Mr.. Editor, any Of your readers have
been so unfortunate as to experience this method
of living ia this, capital city, where living is
so costly, and prospects so precaiious and cheer
less, they will bear me out in the assertion that
such efforts TO starve the poorly paid employed
are mean and contemplate, and unworthy those
who call themselves conservators of the rights
and privileges of free people. 1t is doubtful
however, if the bill as introduced will pass
CLOSE VoTISG.
The case of Dean versus Field in the House was
the subject OF much discussion here, and elected
much interest both in and out of Congress
1t was thought that this would be test case of
democratic honesty, and probably it was.
Mr.. Field was backed up with such strong proof
of his right to the seat, among which was the
fact that the election votes were recounted by a
Board, the majority of which were democrats,
that it did not seem possible that the democratic
House could stultify its conscience as to give
the seat TO Dean by one majority, and that one
vote being gained by democrat twisting his ten
der conscience from Field to Dean at the proper
moment
The singular attitude Of Ben Butler, who voted
for Dean-the only republican who voted that
way was caused it was said by previous opinions
Of and connection with the election laws govern
ing Fields case whereby be would have "gone
back" on his previous opinions had he voted the
other way.
1t is to be hoped that the republicans of Mass
sehusetts will again take up Mr.. Field as a can
didate, and next fall elect HIM by such majority
that not even ghost Of chance for contest will