The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-28
DISCUSSING TIM ARMr BILL.
The New House Renu'ing 10 Reduce the
Army to 1900 Men.

WASHINGTON. March 27.-In the House
Mr.. Sparks Dem. ILL., introduced the Army
Appropriation bill. saying that 1t was substan-
TALLY the bill that had passed the House in the
last session Of tho last Congress with the pro-
visions in regard to the reorganization OF tho
army stricken out. He moved that it be re-
ferred to the Committee of the Whole. This
was agreed to.
Tho bin was read in full. It appropriates
500 707 300. 1t limits the number OF enlisted
men TO $4,000, including Indian scouts and hos
ptal stewards. The signal service is to remain
rs ut present organized. with a force Of enlisted
men no; exceeding $50. 1t provides that no al
lowance shall be made for quarters for officers
servants, and the ratio Of commutation shall
hereafter be $40 a month for officers quarters.
in lieu Of SO as now provided by law. 1t con-
tans the clause authorizing railroad companies
TO do general business 1t amends section 2002
OF the Revised Statutes so as to prohibit the
presence Of troops Mt the place whore any gen
oral or special election is held. unless it DO
necessary to rcpel the armed enemies Of tho
United States"
1t also amends section .52s in the same sense.
making It II penal offence for any officer in the
civil. military. or naval service to order or have
troops az any plnce where n general or special
election h held in any State. unless such fOrce
h5,e necessary 70 repel armed enemies OF tho
Mr.. sparks said that the telegraph provision
hal been adopted precisely as 1t had been mod.
Ned in the Senate. The Senate had increased
the House bin of last session by $500 900 or
slOO 900. hut the conieroes had agreed that the
House mad appropriated a sufficient amount;
and hence the present bill had been prepared
ON that basis. There was. however. an item in
sertod Of $4,000 for military post on tho
Niqhrara ltyor. in northern Nebraska and
Dakota; There were no other dincrgnces be-
twrrn THIS hi and the bill thht pnsscd the last
House, except as to army reorganization.
All thnt part had been omitted except few
toms. These items include the provision for
the cessation Of the proiessorships 81 tho
French and Spanish languages In the Military
Academy whenever a vacancy in either occurs.
aud the merging of both in one pr0icssorship
oi modern languages. Ih"y also included the
provision allowing members Ot the ucNt two
graduating classes OF the Military Academy,
a!trr graduation. 10 elect the receipt Of 500 and
mileage. which acceptance shall render him in
eligible 10 appointment IN tho army unti Two
years after graduation. The provision is also
retained prohibiting PROMOTIONS ab9Nethe rank
oi Captain teXcept in the Corps OK Engineers
aud prohibiting the transfer 20 the retired let
OF any officer below tho rank Of Major, except
Mr. Thomas Turner Dem. XVI moved 10 re-
duce tho maximum Of enlisted men from $4,000
To l5ooO. R@e,ted. Is 10 49,
MIR. Sanford Dem. Aal moved to strike out
the provision that in ca-e any item OF the Appro-
prations shall be insufficient. the excess IN any
other item or items may. with the written con-
sent OF the S"rretnry OF War. be applied thereto.
Agreed TO- i0i 70 %.
MIR. Reagan Dem. Tex moved to strike outa
IKE provision IN regard To- appropriations Tor
regular supplies" incidental expenses
barra, ks and quartcrs,' and army trans
puriutiOn.' Agreed 10. after long debate.
The section authorizing the secretary ot War
70 issue small arms 20 any college or uni
versity was, on motion OF Mr. Hawley lRep..
motion on grounds Of economy. and because the
existing law On the subject WIS quite adequate.
Adjournment was then had.
PROCEEDINGS IN THE SENATE.
Hours resolution declaring that the refusal "
one House OF Congress 10 MAKE necessary pro-
vision for The support Of the Executive. Legis-
lulye. and Judicial Departments, and for the
defence OF the country. except upon condition
that the other House and Hayes shall give their
assent to legislation which they disapprove
AMI the refusal of Congress to make such pro-
vision except upon condition that Hayes shall
give such assent are Unconstitutional. revolu-
overthrow Of constitutional government ami
the destruction of national life.
- Nt - .'t ~ ~, " 80.
lhrn. MOI pronounrri strongly against chu-
Gus legislation. ana Mr. Beck Dem. KY AS
sured MIN that there would bee ample oppor-
tun'ty for debate upon all topics.
Mr. Bayard Dom, Del who had been rccoc-
nized rs entitled TO the moor nj the commence
ment ~ the debate. asked tho Chair how often
address the senate. H. had boon prevented
from doing SO 10y the d'.nrlrry, int"r;
seen measures OF the greatest impor'an' 90
brought in ng the Republican MAJORITY. wao iu-
called ON To ,l"hate them. They were not
allowed amendments. bat required to take tho
measures wthou, the d2tung OF an or ne
crossing ~ q e No reply WIS mnde To- No
speeches ~ the minority hy any IN the doui-
tnant party. with whom the senator from Maine
WIS associated. There was nothing unusual lu
the fact that an adjournment should take pIH',
for consultation among the m"mb'r- of tae
purity 20 whom tho resp0ns ihility % controlling
legislation now attached King Caucus was then
the king of the Republican party. Tho king
81 the Democrats was the Constitution of tue
United States. There was ~ agreement IA
caucus that bound the conscience OF the Demo-
cratic ynrty.
gross some year,-in the Senate four sessions
and ne had nnYer known measure prepared
or maiured by Republican, caucus. \ k"puh-
lcan caucus never maiured "a leg lSlatiye meas
ure. II is a new departure when Joint caucus.
composed Of the majority OF each House. ma
ture and perfect measures Ia tho support OF
which every Democrat IS pledged before they
are rcrort.d for action.
Mr.. voorhees, Dem. Ind.l said that Blaine's
nurpose was apparent. II was % make a point.
Tho Democratic proceedings were 10 bring up
loels .ntlon n AN unusual way. Tint was true.
for prudence. caution. and cir'umspection had
not usually been employed for tlW purpose.
This WIS quite likely IRON the chara ter ol reg
islntlon IN years gone hy. lie WAS free 90 say
that the Democratic party. being Responsible
care ana not with improVll"nt haste. There
were measures INVOLVING doctrines as deeply
miitees of the most experienced members o. 'e
how the object may he best accomplished. That
uNIY WIS Doing performed. lurN NAu no tA-
plantations further than facts. The American
people would bee gind 20 learn that the proposed
legislation WAS unGergoing carciu consldera-
ton. The Republicans did not proceed this
way in the uast. and me result was seen IN their
present shattered AMI broken condition.
Nir. l.aint aui he understood that matters
rotating 90 the army and the Judiciary were in
the hands OF a Committee 81 Safety. and when
the measures were mHtured they woull in
dumb show. b. referred o. the appropriate com
mttecs. He was glad that Mr., Voorhees, ayowed
itnu
Mr. voorhees, replied that Mr. Blaine was pro-
lill' IN placing words in the mouths of Stna-
tors lie Hgrned with That Senator thgAthis was
"a new departure. involving care anT cir.um-
sp"ction hut IL was unjust 20 say that the pro-
cc sdlnEs wcre conducted by an Irresponsible
committees. Ihny Wore "unsid ring measures
90 hr brought before both House. in view II an
extraordinary crisis. and. added Mr.. Noor-
bees " desire to say we will do this in our
own way. and Notwithstanding tue earnest de-
sire of the senator from Maine % Impress n 5
yieWa upon MS. We decline his political consid-
crltiunan lrnicrsnlp.'
Without acting upon the resolution the Senate
adjourned.
Giving TOO Much Play to HIs IIumor.