The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-23
90 ONGR E 5 SO NAL
SENATE.

90 N @ r E 5 = 10 n A L
SENATE
WASHINGTON, May 22.-Mr Lamar
spoke on the Texas Pacific bill.
He said the whole amount of bonds
would not exceed $32,000,000 and the
whole amount of interest to be guaranteed
by the United States would not exceed
$2,000,000 annually and the government
would have mortgages on the entire road
as security, have all the earnings and all
daes for the transportation of mails, troops,
etc. The amount asked for this invaluable
road was not half that annually appro
priated for rivers and harbors. He urged
the measure as one of right, Justice and
economy.
Mr.. Allison, from the conference on
the Indian appropriation bill, submitted a
report, which was agreed to and the bill
passed.
The senate then resumed consideration
of the bill providing permanent govern
ment for the District OF Columbia, and the
first section, recognizing the district as a
municipal corporation, etc., was agreed to
without amendment.
Mr.. Bayard moved to amend section 2.
providing for the appointment of commits
sioners so as to provide that the two com
missloners to be appointed from civil life
shall have been actual residents of the
district for year instead of three years, as
the senate committee proposed. Agreed
to-yeas %, nays Is.
After executive session adjourned.
HOUSE
WASHINGTON, May 22.-Mr. Harris,
from the judiciary committee, reported a
bill for a term of the United States court
at Quincy, Iii. Passed.
Mr.. Beebe offered resolution calling
for information regarding presidential
pardons since March, 1877.
The senate bill for the relief of grass
hopper sufferers passed.
The house went into committee of the
whole on the army appropriation bill.
Mr.. Hewitt incidentally said that be
favored adjourning June 10.
Mr.. Schleicher made long speech
opposing the reduction of the army be-
cause the Texas frontier was not now
sufficiently protected. The Mexican
promises to keep peace were worthless and
Texans were being murdered daily He
would not enlarge this country. 1t was
too large now for the minds and hearts Of
its legislators. He could not understand
Mr.. Hewitt's principle that more mel
could be brought into the field with az
army Of 10000 than with one of 25,O0O
No figuring could convince him OF the
truth OF that arithrletical problem. He
pleaded for the exposed persons Of the
Texan frontier against Dir. Bragg's jeers
and Mr. II frofrsaiI,l
Mr.. Banning said the bill increased the
cavalry aud intar:ry companies to seventy
three men, whereas they are now fifty ol
less, and it lett the artillery alone. /
could put more muskets oB the TexaI
frontier than at present. Mr.. Schleiche
wanted a strong army because there haC
been row in Texas oyer a salt well.
Ghs closed the, general debate and thC
five minute rule was applied.
Mr.. Throck morton moved to make tht
limitation 25,000 instead of 10000.
Mr.. Foster, from the committee OIL
appropriations, favored this, and said
sarcastically, that it was perfectly evideD
that his committee contained all th
wisdom and legislative acumen Th,
other committees were worthless. III
failed to understand how &c, 600 men wer
more than 25 900.
Mr.. Hewitt said the American peopl
who had common school training woult
understand that problem, so incompre
heUsIbe to Messrs. Foster aud Schleicher
Mr.. Bridges favored the reduction of tn
army and holding Mexico responsible 70
! injufies to United States citizens.
Mr.. Dunnell protested against reducing
appropriations. The yearly appropriation
should be based on the ground of publ
service rendered. They were as large a
in the worst days of Republicanism.
Mr.. Mills said this was not a politica
question. His constituents asked securit
against people who spat on the America
| flag and defed the American authorities
Mr.. Durham thought an army of Is, ,OO
sufficient. The Louisville citizens las
year put down riots. and had Pittsburg'
citizens acted in the same way there woul,
be no necessity for calling on the govern
ment.
Mr.. Southard favored reduction aud rea,
| kilograms to show that last year the arm
was employed in running the Souther
elections,
Mr.. Wright protested against the monst
rous doctrine in the report of the secretar
OF war that it was necessary to station th,
regular army near large cities to anticipat
revolts and terroriZe the people. Penn
sylvaDia could protect herself
Mr., Ellsworth asked why Pennsylvania
had the army last year.
Mr.. Wright said the troops were sen
against the will of the people, and di
more harm than good, only exciting th
people. Continuous laughter and jeers.
Mr.. Cannon favored $4,000 men, an
said the people Of Pennsylvania were nc
the exclusive owners of the state, an
when the troops were sent last year I
break up the riots a universal thank you
went up to the President from the peopl
for a thousand miles west ofPennsylvaRis
Mr.. Hanna warned the Democrat
against. the scorn and contempt the
would incur by robbing Texas and tn
territories of adequate protection,
Mr.. Phillips asked Mr.. Bridges ho,
ne meant to hold Mexico responsible fc
outrages.
Mr.. Bridges replied by declaring wa
and taking slice after slice of Mexic
until we have the whole of her, as We ough
MIR. Phillips-Contemplating that, d
you propose to reduce the army.
Mr.. Bridges said he was willing to hay
sufficient force on the Rio Grande
Mr.. Cobb said if the President had ser
troops to Indianapolis during the riot
collision would have occurred and muc
property have been destroyed. Go
Y Williams had not applied for troops,
Mr.. Baker said he telegraphed to Il
Secretary OF War for assistance, not ha
ing enough legal knowledge TO make
formal requisition.
Mr., Cobb said he knew as well how