National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-03-28
HOUSE or REpR Es EYTArrvEs.

Mr.. CoNGER called up his motion TO reconsider
the vote by which hcresolutlon offered by Mr. Cox
IN W relating to the appointment Of certain select
committees, was referred totho Committee on
Rules.
In order to save time, Mr.. Cox made no objection
to the motion, and 1t being carried, withdrew his
resolution,
Mr.. SPARKS "a member Of the Appropriation Com
mittee In the last Congress) introduced the army
appropriation bill.
He stated that II was substantially the bill that
had passed the House In the Inst session Of last
Congress, with the provisions In regard to the
reorganization OF the army stricken out
IL was also substantially the bill which had been
passed by the Senate with the provisions inserted
repeating the two statutes allowing the use of
been informally agreed upon In conference COM
mittee, excepting that portion of the bill repeating
the statutes In regard to the use of troops Mt the
polls, He would like to have the hill Immediately
considered and moved that the bill be referred to
the Committee of the Whole.
This was agreed to; and the House. at 1915, went
into Committee of the Whole Mr.. Springer in the
chair on said bill.
- The bill was read in full 1t approprlatcs s2e,-
1890. II limits the number of enlisted men to
2JUOO including Indian scouts aud hospital stew.
ards The Signal Service is to remain as at present
organized, with force OF enlisted men not exceed
ing 49, 1t provides that no allowances shall be
made for quarters for officers servants and that
the rate of communication shall hereafter be SO per
month for officers quarters, in lieu of SO, as now
provided by law. 1t contains the clause authoriz
ing railroad companies TO do general telegraph
business. II amends section POOP of the Revised
statutes so as to prohibit the presence of troops at
the place where any general or special election Is
held, unless IL be necessary TO rcpel the armed
enemies Of the United States" 1t also amends sec
ton 1928 in the same sense, making 1t q penal of
tense for any officer in the civil military, or naval
service to order or have troops at any place where
general or special election is held In any State
unless such force he necessary to repel armed
enemies OF the United States"
Mr.. SPARKS then proceeded to explain the bill as
compared with that which failed in the last session.
The telegraph provision, he said, had been adopted
precisely as had been modified in the Senate. The
Senate had increased the House bill of last session
by 100000 100000 but the conferees had agreed
that the House had appropriated u sufficient
amount, and hence the present bill had been pre-.
pared on that basis. There was. however, an item
inserted Of $4,000 for military post on the Mo-
brara River, In Northern Nebraska and Dakota.
There were no other differences between this bill
and the bill that passed the last House, except as to
All that part had been omitted except q few
items. These items include the provision for the
cessation of the professorships of French and
ever vacancy occurs In either, and the merging of
both In one proessorship of modern languages.
They also include the provision allowing members
of the next two graduating classes of the Military
Academy after graduation to elect the receipt of
$3.50 and mileage, which acceptance shall render
| two years after graduation. The provision is also
retained prohibiting promotions above the rank OF
captain except IN the corps OF engineers and pro
hibng the transfer to the retired list of any officer
below the rank Of major, except on the report OF
board.
| In conclusion Mr.. SPARKS suggested that II gen.
| eral debate be dispensed with, except as to the
clauses respecting the use of troops at the polls
and that to the general contents of the bill they
| be considered under the five minute rule. The
| proposition was agreed to unanimously, and the
House proceeded to consider the bill under the five
minute rule.
Mr. THOMAS TURNER moved to reduce the maxi
mum of enlisted men from $1,000 to 5000 Reject
| ed-yeas So; nays, ll9.
| Mr.. SINGLETON (Il moved to reduce the number
| to 10000 men. Alter brief discussion the motion
was withdrawn.
| Mr.. SANFORD moved to strike ont the provision
that in case any item of the appropriations shall
be insufficient, the excess in any other item OF
| items may, with the written consent of the Secrc
| tary of War, be applied thereto
| After lengthy discussion the provision was
struck out-l0i to 95.
Mr.. REAGAN moved to strike out like provision
IN regard to approximations for REGULAR supplies,
After discussion the provision was struck out all
| the Democrats and some Republicans voting in the
| affirmative on this and the last vote
| Mr.. COOK moved to amend the item Of $4,000 fol
conversion oil smooth-bore guns, by making it read
| " For conversion of smooth-bore and fabrication o.
heavy rifle guns, 100000. He stated the import
ance of his amendment in view particularly OF the
defense of New York harbor.
Mr.. CLYMER suggested the omission of the words
and fabrication of heavy rifle The country, hC
said was not in condition to enter on the fubrica
| ton of heavy rifle guns.
| MT. LOOK uBIccu 10 INQUIRY his amendment u
| that extent.
Mr.. SPARKS opposed the increase of the approprl
| alton for that purpose.
| The amendment was rcicctcd--92 TO l13.
Mr.. CALKIHs offered an amendment providing
that all officers and men who served in the rebel
lion In the regular volunteer service in the army
or navy shall be credited with the time they Sc
served In computing their services for pay, ant
that any officer hereafter retired shall be retireC
with the highest rank that he ever held eXclusiv,
of brGvet rank, either in the regular or volunteer
service.
The amendment was ruled out on point o
order.
Section G. relative to the use of troops at the polls
having been reached, was passed over LOT I'M
present. 800
1.-THE section authorizing the Secretary of War t
issue small arms, &C., to any college or untyesit!
which may desire them, and which have 100 malt
students, having been reached
Mr. HENDERSON offered as an amendment n pro
vision that no such college shall be situated within
two miles of any polling place. Rejected,
An amendment 10 the section was adopted reduc
ing the requisite number of students TO 100.
On motion of Mr.. HAwLEY, the whole section wa
then stricken out he stating that he made the mo
| lsting law on the subject was quite adequate, rs
gave the President authority to detail military oil
GERS as instructors and TO supply smallarms an'
light artillery.
The committee then rose, having disposed of al
but two or three of the ordinary provisions of tn
bill; and the House ut four o'clock, adjourned
ThereupOn q Republican caucus was announced L
be held Immediately,
THE COURTS.