The New York herald., 1879-03-28

went into COMMITTEES of the whole slr. Springer in
the chair on the said bill.
THE BILL.
The bill was read in full. 1t appropriates
SAG 797 800. 1t limits the Number of enlisted men to
ooo including Indian scouts and hospital stewards
The signal service il to remain at present organized
with force of enlisted mon not exceeding 400. 1t
provides that allowance shall he made for quarters
for officers servants, and the rate of Communication
shall hereafter he sl2 per month for officers quarters
i'll lien OF $40, as now provided by law II contains
the clause authorizing railroad companies to do gen.
eral telegraph business. 1t amends section 2,W2
of the Revised Statutes so as to prohibit the
presence Of troops at the place where any
general special election is held 'uncss II be nec
essary to repel the armed enemies OF the United
States" 1t also amends section 5.52s in the same
concentrating II penal offence for any oicer IN the
civil, military naval service to order or have
troops ut any place where general special election
is held in any state. uness such force be necessary
to repel armed enemies Of the United States"
Mr.. SPARKS then proceeded to explain tho bill as
compared with that which failed in the last session.
The telegraph psayis"n; nc sad had M Sesn % aaeptSa
Senate had increased the House bill of last session
by $30OUD s4O0O00. but the conferees had agreed
and hence the present bill had been prepared on
that basis. There was however. an item inserted OF
$4,000 for military post on the Niobrara River. In
Northern Nebraska and Dakota. There
other this bill and the bill that
passed tho last House except as to army
omitted except few items. These items include
the for the cessation of the profcssorshps
of the French and Spanish languages in the Mill
tary Academy, whenever vacancy in either oc-
ours, and the merging of both in one professorship
OF msdcrn languages. They also included the pro-
vision allowing members OF the next two graduating
classes of the Military Academy after graduation to
elect the receipt of $3.50 and mileage which accept
ancc shall render hm Ineligible to appointment in
the army until two years after graduation. Tie pro-
vision is also retained prohibiting promotions abovo
tho rank Of captain except in the Corps OF Engineers
and prohibiting the transfer to the retired list of any
officer below the rank OF MAJOR except on the report
of "a board.
A1,ut. ha GnI
clauses respecting the OF troops at the polls and
that to the general contents of the bill they be
considered under the five minute rule.
That proposition was agreed to unanimously. and
the House proceeded to consider the bill undcr the
flvc minute rule.
ACTION ON TIE
Mr. THOMAS TURNER. (dcm.l of KY. moved to re-
duce the maximum OF enlisted men from 900 to
Il, ,UDO Rcjccted-53 to 49,
AIr. SINGLETON (demD Of ILL.,. moved to reduce
the number to 10000 men.
After a brief discussion tho motion with
drawn.
Mr.. SANFORD, (dem.) Of Ala, moved to strike out
the provisions that in case any item OF the appro-
priation shall be ths excess in any other
item items may with the written consent OF the
Secretary OF War, bc applied thereto.
A long discussion resulted several members OF
tho last appropriations Committee explaining the
reason for the provision and showing that II IL
out 1t would be necessary to increase the
preparation
the provision contained an express violation of ex-
listing law and that it was dangerous license to give
ocratic members. he said, to put their feet down
any departure from that law. which had been found
wholesome and salutary.
Mr.. SPARKS expressed his surprise at the length of
the debate matter which he considered very i'm
material The provision was in the bill OF last ses,
sion and Endorsed by tho House, tho Senate and
the conference committees
Mr.. McCooK, trep.) Of n. Y. inquired whether 1t
was indorscd by the democratic caucus.
MIR. SPARks-I am not permitted to give the gen.
tlemar democratic secrets.
Mr.. MccooK--I am very glad. Iwould not like to
be tho recipient OF any.
Mr.. SPAnKs-Thcn you shou d not have asked me.
Mr.. BLousT. tlem.) of Ga, said that he himself
had made the point last session that the provision
was against existing law.
Mr.. SPARKS argued that the Law on the subject
merely meant that the appropriations for one branch
Of the service Ss nond mot 5 DC PRd to another
it only applied to the appropriation for pay and al
lowed transfer from one item of pay to onothcr Of
nay. II this elasticity allowed the department
could get along with loss appropriation, and he
thought there could be no valid objection to it.
Mr.. BLoCNr. OF Georgia. said that while he was
utterly opposed to the provision he would still vote
for tho bill US It because the provision Yves Of
little interest compared to other questions pre-
sentcd by tho bill.
Mr.. McLANE, tdem.) of Nd, araued that while as .
general principle such q provision against law
and against sound policy, 1t was not Questionable
when confined. a. this was. to tho items coming
under one general head.
Mr.. Cox. of New York, thought that the matters
were somewhat irrelevant to the issue which had
been the cause Of the meeting Of Congress. Let
there be a vote on the amendment and then let the
House proceed to treat the real point OF difference
namely, the sixth section, In regard to the use OF
troops ut the polls
Mr.. GAnyrELD rep. Of Ohio stated that the cx-
isting law was enacted while he was chairman OF
the Committee Appropriations and explained the
various for its enactment He believed that the pro-
vision objected to was in the wrong direction.
NJ. SPARKS, of Illinois-Do understand the gentle
man to favor the motion TO strike It ont?
Mr. aAnrrELp of ohio--Ido. Ihope the, ,proviso
will be struck out.
AIR. SPARKS of nlinois-As far rs am concerned
I am willing to have 1t struck out. 1t was put i'll
ut THO suggestion of the Secretary of War and tho
executive officers and because it was believed by the
committee that money could be saved by it,
After some further discussion the provision was
struck out by vote OF l0i to %.
like provision in regard to appropriations for reg
ular supplies, 'incidental expenses, barracks and
quarters and "a~nly transportation.
Mr. McCooK. of New York. suggested the difficulty
that might arise IL riots should suddenly break out
in some quarters and ii the President in reply to
call even from democratic Governors should send
troops there. while there is provision made for
the expense of such transportation OF troops.
mr. uAarkLo Oh ono. tnougns ~ @ pea'rr 70 nsvo
Items and il they not sufficient for the purpose
let deficiency bin be reported. That was the only
After some further discussion the provision was
stricken out-all the democrats and some rcpub-
cans voting IN the Affirmative on this and the last
vote
Mr.. McCooK moved TO amend the item of $4,000
for the conversion OF smooth bore guns by making
il rcad:"For conversion or smooth bore and fabrf-
cation OF heavy rife guns, $4,000
He stated the importance OF his amendment in
particularly of the defence of New York Harbor
Mr. CLymEn. (dcm.) of Pa. suggested the omis-
sion OF the words. "nnd fabrication of heavy rifle.
The country, he said. not in condition to enter
on tho fabrication of heavy rife grfus
Mr.. McCook. of New York, Agreed 10 modify his
amendment 20 that extent.
Mr. SPARKS. OF Illinois. opposed the increase Of sp
preparation for that purpose
Mr. McCoox. OF New York. in advocacy of hts
amendment, stated thnt in the event of war with
first class maritime Power tho harbors Of the
try New York and othcrs practically defence
less except by the torpedo SYSTEM and that in order
to make the torpedo system effective there must DO
harbor dcftnccs.
Mr.. BAKER, (rop) OF Ind. advocated the amend
ment on ike grounds. He asserted that there was
not city the American scaboard that could not
be laid under tribute by single of the great
iron-clads of of the first. second. third fourth
fifth class nations.
Mr.. BLouSr, of Georgia. trusted that tho Housc
would keep in Wow simply the political issues in
vovcd in the bill and not 20 into the subject OF arms
aud fortihcations. The people felt apprehension
of danger from foreign The House had not
done itself the justice of appointing committees to
examine the subjects. and he trusted that this and
oil other amendments ofsliko character would be
voted down.
The amendment was rejcctcd--92 TO if3.