The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-03-29
WRShInStOl7.

FOR SERVICE BY THE ENGLISH TROOPS
IN INDIA, &C.; ~ ~ ,-...
Washington.
CoNTEsTED ELECTION CASE FROM IOWA. THE
HOUSE IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ON THE.
ARMY BILL-A WARM AND INTERESTING DIS
CUSsIoN-ANIMATED DEBATE on THE USE OF
TROOPS AT THE PoLLS--EFFORTs OF IHE
sREPUBLICANS TO GIVE Mr.. HAYES BACK
BoNE-v4RIOUs ITEMS. &C.
From Our Regular Corresron :en,.l
WASHINGTON, March 2S.-Mr. Springer
presented the petition OF J. J. Wilson, of
Iowa, who claims that Mr.. Price, sitting
member from that State. holds bis seat by
virtue OF an election held in October, when
the law OF Congress requires that the cleo
ton be held In November. Mr.. Wilson ran
ut the November election. Mr.. Price be-
came very much excited, and talked about
conspiracy on the part Of the Democrats
to cheat him out OF his seat. When asked
il he was not voted for in November also, in
substance he said it was his policy to fight the
devil with fire. He, however, announced
tba. he claimed his seat by virtue Of the
October election. Congcr assumed leader
ship just as Hale used to do, and contended
that the petition ought not to be referred to
the Election Committee, as Mr.. Springer
proposed. Mr.. Cox called him to order,
when, with whine, lie said he could not
give him comprehension, as that comes from
abovc-pointing, with hypocritical smile,
.heavenwards. Cox quickly replied, "You
will never get there" and the House, by a
hearty laugh, gave evidence that it endorsed
the opinion. Finally, the House agreed to
refer the petition, with the papers, to the
Committee on Elections, when it shall be ap-
pointed.
THE DISCUSSION OF THE REMAINING SECTIONS
. 3d., .-.. OF THE ARMY BILL.
At O'Clock, on motion OF Mr.. Sparks, the
House took up the army bin, OF which three
sections remained to be disposed OF, the
chief of which was that in regard to tue use
OF troops at the polls. The first section
considered was prohibiting the promo
ton OF officers above the rank OF captain,
except in case of the engineer corps; and
an amendment was adopted making an ex-
ception in case Of all captains who have
served twenty years. Another amendment
was adopted placing naval officers who go
into the army on an equality with the army
officers who 20 into the navy in the compu-
tation OF their term OF service. Mr.. Tucker
now raised quite stir by moving to repeal
The section which declares that no Con-
federatc shall be appointed to any position
lin the army. He hoped that in this era of
peace and reconciliation both sides OF the
House would unite and remove this stigma
which rests upon the South from the sta
tute-book; for while Confederates may now
serve in the ranks Of the army and in Con-
gress, no man who held any position in the
Confederate service is allowed to wear q
sword in the United States army. Conger,
with great alacrity, came to the front and
raised the point CT order that it was new
legislation, and with other stalwarts venti-
lated his loyal views. Some OF the Repub-
lican committee of safety now whispered TO
him that it would be best to let direct vote
be taken on it, as more capital could in that
way be made for his party; but Mr.. Sparks.
Democrat, renewed it, and Mr.. Springer,
who was in the chair, ruled the amend
ment out OF order. This produced a
calm, and Conger looked mortified at
the result Hale would have seen The point
at once and made the most OF it. A new
member from Pennsylvania, with ruddy
face, whom no one seemed to know, moved
from the Democratic side to amend so as to
give pensions to all who served in either
branch of the service, regular or volunteer,
during the Mexican. war. This, too, was
ruled out Of order, because it did not reduce
expenditures. NIr. McCook moved to strike
out the section prohibiting promotions be-
cause he did not want to limit promotions,
and during the debate on this point it came
out that with only twenty-five infantry, ten
cavalry, and five artillery regiments, there
are sixty-seven colonies and other officers
in proportion, and that our army OF $4,000
men costs S27 700, 900 annually. 1t was also
said that officers Of the army favor this sec
ton, and the House refused to strike ltou:-
ayes, 81; noes, 100. .......
THE USE OF TROOPS AT THE POLLS-AN AM
raj. MATED DEBATE COMMENCED. 4 -."
At 3 O'Clock the section forbidding the
use of troops at the polls was reached, and
the. Michigan leader commenced the light
by mild point of order, declaring that the
Chair was expected by his side OF the House
to decide that this section was not in order.
Mr.. Sparks replied with more spirit, and
this brought Mr.. Frye to his feet, who eX'
plaiucd that the reason no objection was
made 10 it last session was because the Re-
publican members having it in charge were
called out at the time it was offered.
The debate on the point OF order was par
ticipaled in by members on both sides; and
Mr.. McLauc, OF Maryland, showed that lie
is valuable accession to the Democratic
party. He is cool, we'll informed, and puts
his points clearly and strongly. He is
brothcr-in-aw OF General Joseph Z. John,
ston. He contended that the amendment
did reduce expenditures. Mr., Carlisle, Of
Kentucky, also came to the front and made
an able argument against the power OF the
President to use the troops ut the polls, IN