, 1879-02-02

second had been in regard to the
army army Ane3f4 bill, in which the clause
known as ls.ss1 b499.e comtatus clausc'' had
ocen inserted Tha: bill had failed OF passing
because tile lfouse had refused yield. 10 have
uone SO would have been base surrender Of
~ t9e re rtght Of the people to the government
complete control over tue army would be to
turn the Government into centralized dcspot-
ism. During the extra session he had thought
it would be a mistake to attempt any reoreanl-
cation or reduction, aud bill had been brought
into the House without any reduction, or Win
out any assertion OF the right OF the PRESIDENT
to control the army. That had been done pur,
passed forever, lie trusted, the wreck which had
surrounded the late Presidential campaign.
In the second session OF the Fo!ty-iifth
Congress the bill had come from the Appropria-
tatus" clause, the Committee preferring
to make the fight on the ground Of economy.
But the Question of money and Of reorganlza-
tion were of utter insignifcancc as compared
from Kentucky (Knott}, and adopted by the
House, forbidding the interference OF the army
In elections. Sonld that provision be repealed!
Never! Not vote would ever be cast OH
either side of the House for the repeal of that
monument of human liberty.
Mr.. McCoo1-I will vote for it with pleasure.
MIR. hewitt IN. " hoped the gentleman
would live long enough to devote himself to
tile study Of tue underlying principles OF which
the fabric Of constitutional law had been
built. Repeal the provision? Never! De-
fine it? Yesi The provision might be too
brood. 1t might determine the proper action
OF the Government, and it might become neces-
sarv to define it.
In conclusion, Mr. Hewitt stated his intention
Of offering amendment repeating that section
Of the law Of 'G7 which allows the army to
"preserve peace at the polls," and he hoped
both sides Of the House would agree in expung-
ing it from the statutcbooks, AMI not allow it
to remain blot upon American freedom.
Mr.. Banning spoke IN favor Of the Army Re-
organization bill. lie would offer that bill US
an amendment to the Appropriation bill. The
army to-day was q ridiculous organization.
Most Of the companies did not contain more
men than ii Corporal's guard. The bill was
approved By line officers and bv many of the
staff officers He sent up TO the Clerks desk
and had read a number OF letters from officers
Of the army fayoring the passage Of the bill.
II the bill were defeated in tile interest OF thu
staff, it would be defeated in opposition to the
Army Commission, in opposition to recon-
1ncndations of all officers OF the line, AMI it
would be defeated Tor tile purpose of taking
care OF those gentlemen off the staff who lived
in comfortable houses, give good di1ucrs, and
never did any service.
MIR. White denied that those who favored the
bill were untriendly to the army or hostile to
those men who had fought to save the Union.
Mr.. Dibrell spoke in favor OF the Reorganiza-
ton bill, which was then read by SECTIONS; but,
before any action was taken, the Committee rose.
MIR. Burdick submitted i resolution directing
the Committee on Ways und Means to inquire
what legislation IS necessary to enable tile
Treasury to collect the amount Of direct taxes
remaining unpaid and due from the various
States. Referred.
Adjourned till Monday.