The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-16
The Army Bill in the SENATE.


The Republicans of the Senate have sol
EMMY resolved i'm caucus TO fight the Army
lii to the bitter end, merely because the
House insists upon free elections and pro-
poses TO repeal the sections Of the Revised
Statutes allowing troops at the polls.
The change OF position on the question at
Issue between the Republican leaders in 1879
and in 1856 Is Instructive; while II Is some
what amusing to observe that the objections
urged by the Democratic majority OF the
Senate twenty-three years ago against the
proposed legislation OF the Republican
House on the Army bill at that time. are
adopted almost word for word by the Re-
publican minority of the Senate to-day.
JOHN SHERMAN carried through the House
an amendment to the Army bill in 1856,
providing that no part OF the army should
be used to enforce the enactments OF the
Legislative Assembly at Shawnee Mission
in Kansas until Congress had determined as
to their validity. when the bill went to the
Senate the Democrats denounced this
method of legislating as revolutionary, and
resisted 1t with the power and effect that a
partisan majority infamed by strong pas
sion knew how to exercise.
On the other hand. the Republicans de-
Tended the amendment with great ability
and maintained the right Of the House. as
the guardian Of the public purse, 10 impose
whatever conditions IL pleased upon a bill
approprlatlng money. The opinions of the
eminent men who participated in that great
debate are worthy TO be cited now, when
others standing in their places. but inca
pabe TO fiji them, are striving in feeble way
tn undermine the granite foundations Of the
Constitution, and to deprive the representa-
tiyes ~ the people OF their control over the
supplies.
Mr.. HUNTER OF Virginia led the opposi-
tion on the Democratic side, and Mr.. FEs-
SENDER, famous as one Of the ncutest do
baters and soundcst lawyers in Congress,
answered him In these memorable words:
"Dics he not know well that in the English Parliament
from THE earliest times not only have appropriation ana
revenue bills gone together but in eases without number
has been the haiti n that Parliament to check the
power Of the crown by conditions 10 their appro
pnauon OF money! Does he not know that the only
mode in which Of Massachusetts, checked
The powers Of their royal Governors ~ gnhq on,
us o4 oarLrHnf Tile POWER of supply and the power Of
HuneNing conditions 10 supply have always gone together
In parliamentary history; and their JOINT ha.
never been denounced revolution. or calling
hr revolution, teudiug to produce revolution any
shape form whatever It is power esso initial to the
Preservation Of our liberties
Mr.. SEWARD, in his philosophical way
presented the argument on the same occa-
sion as follows:
Since the House ot Representatives has power to pas
such hill distinctly. 10 has the power also TO place
equivalent prohibition in any bill which 1t has cons,iiu
tona power 10 pass. And Il has a constitutional
Ia o. nee ne la he
priaou bin ri,a right one II necessary to eject the
object desired and II that Objects one that is in itse
uss and cmnenty important TO the peace and happiness
ol the country TO the security o the liberties OF IN,
people The House " Representatives moreover, Is en-
Titled Judge and determine Tor itself whether the pro
C,odns stus necessary, whether the object vi II l.
thus important
HENRY WILSON, a Republican leader see
ond to none in zeal for the cause, also spok,
with emphasis:
The senator from Virginia tells ms that when on
House undertakes to force It's opinion upon the other
and that policy is adhered to. revolution follows Now
sir tappcars 10 me that the Senate raising this quos
ton with the House VI Representatives, and that IT, h
the result this bill shall tail the responsibility OF tina
failure Will uuuu the senate and not upon the House
The country Will condemn II must condemn this actor
OF the Senate thi, arrogant attempt to force opinion
upon the House Of Representatives"
Brave old BIN WADE came TO the front il
his blunt way, and without evasion told thu
= Senate his Utmost thoughts:
"Gsay the House Of Representatives have done RICH,
Here told 1t Is revolutionary. aud therefore vi
must not breathe the breath lite into their seton bu
must permit II to go back tho House with an appeal Il
the House 10 recede. Sir do not know but that yo
may succeed under the idea that this Is revolution bu,
80 help me Con l hope that the man who proposes
Ircedc hairs breadth the action Of the House WI
tt.G
hthe House n Representatives. DO think proper
frame bill tor the support Ut the army Of the country
ApprOpHaung twelve mhnns IN way " SATISFY the ma
Jority IN ths boiy, revolution shan follow, and the ~
spon-bhty he upon the Iousei Pray air. howi H.
caue they Will agree 10 do AZ the senate tells thea
they shall do
When Mr. BLAINE Mr.. HOAR, Mr.. Ed
NUNDs, aud others. who are now opposing
the Army bill, because the House has no
consulted the& I7cu1art~ WISHES IN sAlm
Ing II, have dlgcstod these opinions of TN
fathers ~ the Republican faith upon prin
s!ple exactly similar to the present issue
they can he furnished with some Of thei
own Views and votes iustifying tho House Il
every particular. Nothing can he more oh
Iurd than for a great party To array itsel