The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-12
PASSING THE ARMY BILL.
4 SHORT BUT DECIDEDLY LIVELY DIS
CUSSION IN THE HOUSE.
Mr.. GARFIELD Cornered by n Fellow Republi-
can-Mr. Cox Making Points aud Provok-
ing Laughter at the Same Time-The Vote.

WASHINGTON, June ll.-Inc House passed |
the Army Appropriation bill to-day. When the |
bill was laid before the Committee OF the Whole |
it was understood that the section preventing |
the expenditure OF money for tho equipment. |
subsistence. transportation or payment Of on |
GERS or men to be used MS police force to keep |
the peace Mt tho polls at elections in the States
should be laid aside until after the other sec
tions OF tho bill had been passed upon. 1t was
also ngreed that debate on the section in ques-
ton should he limited to one hour. the time to
be equally divided between Republicans and
Democrats The only change OF Importance
made in the body OF the bill was striking
out section Q. This section suspended pro-
motions and appointments in the army
above the rank of captain. except in the
Engineers Corps. provided that the actual time
of service in the army or navy should be allowed
all officers in computing their pay that no Off
Ger below tho rank OF major should be trans
ferred 10 the retired list except upon the report
Of duly constituted board Of officers 10 tho
effect that such officer is no longer III for active
service; and that any officer hereafter retired
by reason OF wounds received in action should
be retired upon the highest rank. exclusive OF
brcvet rank actually held by such officer In the
regular or volunteer service before retirement.
Tn" section WAS one which should have been
supported 10y every Congressman having any
regard for the interests OF taxpayers. Gen. Joe
Johnston made the motion to strike II out OF tho
bill, and the motion was adopted without di-
The Republicans consumed tho first half
hour Of d,bate ON the so-called political section.
Baker OF Indiana made a short speech in OPP
position to the section closing bis remarks by
saying that he should vote for the till as II WIS
an appropriation bill prepared in . coustitu-
tionai manner. Do Golycr Garfield occupied
the rest of the time. His speech was q diaap-
pointment TO his friends. Yesterday he called
the Democrats nuiiirrs because they refused
to make appropriations for tho payment uf
supervisors ~ elections and deputy marshals
To-day he said that he would vote Tor n bill re-
troops Ss ' To- be- used at The Dolls. Witt vast
amount OF Vcrhuslty he dls'luiiued Tor the Re-
publican party any intention 70 vs. ne army as
police force TO run the elections IN the states.
nor S ' never S Would TS Be done Tie re" DS aY
Gratis greeted these astonishing. state
mcuts with snecrs. and dorisivo laughter.
A. au Illustration Of his theory that 1t is impOs
sihle to use tho army to influence elections.
Garfield made the stale argument that It WIS
impos-i bic TO station an army Of % 900 men at
10000 polling places. There WAS grent APP
how he had once voted under the shadows Of
Mission Ridge. In Chattanooga, when the shells
from the rrhcl army were falling among the
voters Garfield might have finished his little
Effort in q respectable manner. II II had not been
for Mr.; Williams OF Wisconsin. a very stawart
Republican. who asked permission TO PROFOUND
Are you now in favor under any circum-
stances q! using any portion of the army at the
polls ~ asked MIR Williams.
Garfield attempted TO avoid giving direct
answer To- the question. Williams pressed him
am not in favor Of using the army as a
police force AT the polls shouted Garfield in
army navy or militia ~ the United States TO
enforce the laws of the Union any one Of them
and all Of them everywhere. including the pres
CREATION Of the peace at the polls
Williams resumed his scat. shook his head
sadly. and assumed an expression OF despond-
eut gloom. The Democrats Observing the DIFF
ferenc.s thus manifested between the extreme
and moderate stalwarts. apulauded yociferously
and some time elapsed before Garfield could
III n
tmating That Hayes would not regard the re-
strictivc clause placed upon the hill II IL became
necessary at any timc 20 use the army for the
purposes for which no money provision is made
Mr.. Cox replied 10 Garfield. He created roars
Of laughter by the sarcastic manner in which
he condoled with the Republicans upon the III
yersity Of opinion existing in their ranks. as
manifested by the actions OF the member from
Mr. Price Of Iowa arose to inject a remark.
Who spoke 70 youf shouted Mr. Cox !
| upon temperance. or religion. or something Of
| that sort he added soto vocc.
" II you listened 70 lecture on temperance II
might do you good. retorted Mr. Price
" II YOU had a little more generous Bourbon
| blood IN your veins you would be better man.
liz praised Garfield Tor the extremely able
manner In which he had covered the Kepub-
| lican retreat. MIR. Cox said that he was opposed
| 10 the malntenance OF an army OF 2o.uuO men.
| and especially 10 the maintenance u an army
| o. be- used ~ CONJUNCTION with SuperVisors oi
| by force aud fraud. He WAS opposed 10 grant
| iug supplies until the obnoxious laws We're re-
pealed. beause elections mean free VIII. II they
| mean ANYTHING, and u was Impossible 20 have
| free elections 50 long rs the obnoxious laws re-
| main on tho statute books The fallacy of Gar
| fields argument about using 25 900 troops at
| 10000 polling places WAS exposed 10y Mr. Cox
| He said that the presence OF dozen soldiers IN
| ton ina all the States. H. by the use OF troops
| ono man in one county Of one state was pre-
| President might be changed. He said that the
Democrats intended 10 brush tho vile laws from
| the statute books.
MIR. Baker. inierruptlng MT Cox. said; You
| haven't brushed EN- away yet"
No. We cant brush them off as long as Their,
| il n fraud IN the White House retOrted Mr.
| Cox. The Democrats applanded enthusiast
| cally, and the Hepuollcans also Joined in TIT
| claupnE ~ hands.
| Cox. shaking his fist NJ the Repubicans. There
| upon thore was more applause upon the Demo
| cratic side, and none whatever among the mi
From the time that Mr.. Cox ceased speak ms
| until a vote was taken on the passage OF the bil
| the House was in great confusion, The Demo
crRts. satisfied with the parley between VII
| linms and Garfield and Mr.. CoN's reply. did no
caro- g, consume the time remaining at then
Vote" wore heard. Mr. Clymer, who hnd pro
pared a long speech in support OF the hi. con
tented himself with the uucranco - lew tell
INK sentences. and yielded some time to Mr.
cobb Of Indiana. He WIS frequently interrupt
ed in his speech by the Republicans. Nilan
secured "a chance 10 say few words IN opposl
tion 10 the biz. and h"iier complained bitterly
| ~ not being allowed TO speak
Mr.. Ward. one of the most rabid Republicans
offered an amendment virtually authorizln'
the President to use the troops when and wher
Democrats shouted and laughed at Mr.. Ward
PROPOSAL aud It Was rejected 10y an oNerwhelm
IN" vote On the final passage Of tho bill wa
| ~ yeas % 81 nays. The lrmO"rUs voting II
the negative were Mcssrs. Bliss. Clark Of Mis-
llurd. Knott Manning, Nichols. Parsons, Roth
| well of OHIO. Turner Slemmous. Snuh Of Ne'