National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-02-03
HOUSE or REpREsENrArIrEs.

Inc speaker announced hat the regular order
was the morning hour, and the pending business
TO be the bill for The relief OF Maggie Barron.
This afforded MeSsrs. Chalmers Hooker and Mills
the longsought opportunity to reply TO General
Bragg, butthe sofenig influence of time, aud more
especially the persuasive eloquence of Northern
Democrats, Ind 50 toned down their fire that they
failed TO meet The popular expectation
The hour having expired, Mr.. MARTiS who had
charge Of the bill moved the previous question.
Mr., CoNGER desired 10 have the time for debate
extended but Nh. Martin insisted on the previous
question.
The previous question was moi seconded.
Mr. SAYLER then demanded the regular order,
and the Speaker (under that dcmand) announced
that the morning hour had expired The bill then
went over till the next morning hour.
The Speaker pro icB. tMr. Saylcrl stated that the
regular order was the consideration Of the army re-
organization bill.
Afler some confusion the House rcfised-77 to
ll2-to consider that bll.ond at 1sio went into Com.
mittcc of the Whole Mr.. Springer in the chair on
The army appropriation bill.
Mr.. HfwlrT IN, W, having charge of the bill.
5 G eSESn its pGysSn 5G
an appropriation of last year of S25 77slS7 The re-
duction in army appropriations during the last
been reduced to minimum. and If any saving was
to be effected hereafter II must he by the process of
reorganization and Reconstruction. A reorganiza-
lion could bo made so ms not tolmpnir the efficiency
of the army with an annual saving Of 100000.
Two great questions had been presented TO the
Forty-iourth Congress. The first had been when the
House had agreed to the settlement OF the Presi-
dental difficulty, and had Loyalty held to It's en-.
gagemcnt The second great question had been
ihe clause known MS the posc comftaiHs clause had
ocen inserted. That bill had failed of passage. be-
iause the House had refused TO yield. To have
Zone so would have been base surrender of the
Eight Of the people 10 the government of the army
10 give the President complete control over the
,Tmy would be to turn the Government into a cen.
rallied lpgDOligm. During Tho py ha lu1
thought that 1t would be mistake 10 attempt any
reorganization or reduction. and the bill had been
brought into the House without any reduction or
without amy assertion Of the right of the people to
control the army. That had been done purposely
AND the bill passed and win I had passed forever
late Presidential CAMPAIGN
In the second session OF the Forthwith Congress
the bill had come from the Appropriation Commit.
tee without the posse o1ratIs clause, the commit
tee prclcrring to make the fight on the ground OF
economy. But the question OF money and the
question of reorganization were of utter insgnif
canoe as commrcd with the provision offered by
the gentleman from Kentucky NIr. Knott and
adopted by the House fofbidding the interference
OF the army In elections Should that provision be
repealed? Never. Not vote would ever he cast
on either size Of the House for the repeal OF that
imminent of human liberty.
Mr. MCCoOK, | wonld vote for II with pleasure
Mr. HEWITT hoped The gentleman would live
long enough to devote himself to the study Of the
underlying principles on which the fabric of con.
stitu.onal law had been built.
The narrow construction Of the statutes the gen
ucinnn had studied. but when IL came TO the lnW
on which the fabric Of human liberty had been
built there was work left for him TO do. Repeal
the provision? Never. Define it2 Yes. The pro
vision might hc too broad II might impede the
proper action Of the Government, and II might be
come neces sTy to define II.
In concluslOn lie stated his Intention Of Offering
M amendment repeating that section Of the law OF
lsi5 which allows the army TO preserve the peace
At the polls, and he hoped that both sides of the
House would agree IN eNrunging it from the stat
ute books, and not allow it 10 remain blot upon
American freedom
Mr.. BANNING spoke In favor of the army reor
ganlzNton bill. He would offer that bill as an
amendment to the appropriation bill. The army
to-day was ridiculous organization.
Most of the companies of infantry did not con
tam more than cOiporals guard. The bill was
approved By the line officers and by many Of ihl
sian officers. He sent up TO the Clerks desk and
bud read a number OF letters from officers of the
army ayorng the passage of the bill. III the bill
were defeated 1t would be defeated in the interes
OF The stan. 1t would be defeated in opposition 4
the Army Commission, in opposition 10 the recon
mendations OF all the officers Of the line, and 4
would be defeated for the purpose Of taking cur,
Portable houses, gave good dinners, and never DID
any service.
Mr.. WHITE thought that something ought to b,
done 10 decrease the expense of the military estab
lishment without impairing It's efficiency. This tho
reorganization bill did.
Mr.. DIBRELL spoke in support OF the reorganiza
ton bill, and the bill was then read by sections
but before amy action was taken the committee
rose.
Mr., BURDIcK offered a resolution directing thu
Committee on Ways and Means u inquire VIVA
legislation is necessary TO enable the Treasurer q
collect the amount of the direct taxes remaining
unpaid and due from Tho various States, Re
teTred.
The House then, at $50, adjourned.