The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-22
THE HOUSE.
The Military A cademy Appropriation Dis
cussed at Length and Passed.


cussed at Length and Passed
WAsHINGToN, Feb. 21-Air. Dibren reported
the agricultural appropriation bill. Ordered
printed and recommitted.
The House went into committee of the
whole (1Tr. Bland in tho chair) on the Military
Academy bill.
Mr. Bedford, in speaking to the formal amend
ments, said he might select the brightest boy in
his State have him examined, and send him to
West Point Academy, and while his mind might
be as bright as a Burnside diamond, the gentle
men at the institution would declare that unless
he answered some question in grammar properly
he would be rejected What in the name of
God had grammar to do with fighting battle.
Mr.. Mcmillan offered an amendment providing
that hereafter any student found guilty of ''haz-
ing" shall be expelled from the academy.
Mr.. Keifer opposed the amendment and it was
ruled out Oh a point of order.
Mr. Bedford, in the course of his remarks, de-
clared his belief that not a member of Congress
would pass an examination at West Point.
There was not a member of the House who
could answer the questions propounded by the
professors at the Military Academy any more
than he could answer the questions propounded
by the cranks of the Civil-service Commission.
who were running their institution a kind of
government monopoly, whereby they got their
lrleQQS ID once ana turned everybody else OUT.
Messrs Holman and Thomas supported the
motion, and Mr.. Ellis opposed it.
The motion was lost.
Mr.. McAdoo offered an amendment reducing
from So, 600 to 81 600 the expenses of the board
of visitors. The board went to West Point
to indulge in fancy ball, and this
ball had degeneTated into a vicious social matri-
Inonial market to which aspiring mamnas
brought their giddy daughters to palm them off
on unfortunate students.
Mr.. Bedford supported the amendment and
presented as 4 reason why the amount could be
reduced the argument that ticket from Wash
ington to West Point, with bottle of cham
payne included. cost only SIS. Here was an APP
preparation of 3d. 900 to enable the board to puy
kid gloves patentleather Shoes swallow tail
coats and ruffied shirts.
Mr.. Dorsheimer defended the West Point
Academy. 1t had been said that "snObs' ruled
at West Point lie was sorry such an observa-
ton should have been made by his colleague
DIR. Cox, and he would advise that gentleman
the next time he made it, to do so to the face Of
the men whom he insulted. and not under the
protection of the House The snobbely at West
Point simply such as beftted discipline
at school where soldiers were taught
the profession of arms. She had not
only furnished officers in war, but in all the
splendid achievements made in peace. West
Point had nc more than her share He entered his
protest against this criticism and bore testimony
10 the manner in which, both in peace and war
the graduates Of that institution had shown they
deserved the goodwill of the country which gave
them education.
The amendment was lost, and the bill reported
back to the House and passed-yeas, $50: nays
4, Messrs. Aiken, Alexander, Banentine and
Barksdale
A motion to adjourn until over Monday was
lost-yeas, ILL., nays, 154; but the motion for adj
journment over Washington's birthday was
agreed to.
Mr. Money. chairman of the committee on
postofices and postroads reported the postroute
bill and it passed
On motion of Mr. Money the Senate amend
ments to the House bill declaring all public roads
post routes was concurred in.
Mr. Cassidy chairman of the committee on
Pacific railroads, reported back the resolution
calling upon the Secretary of the Interior for in
formation as to when the line of the Northern
Pacific railroad, or any part of it, definitely
and finally located, and rs to whether that rail
road claims any lands ON which homestead or
presumption entries have been made prior to the
time of final location. Adopted
The Speaker laid before the House the follow
ing message from the President:
To the House of Representatives.
transmit herewith the report of the Secretary Of
State of the 2lst inst. whereby your honorable body
and through you the people of the United States may
become apprised of the generous contribution made
by her Britannia Maiestys government toward the eff
forts for the relief of Lieutenant Greelys arctic
exploring party by presenting to the United States the
arctic steamship Alert CHESTER a. ARTHUR.
When the reading of the message was finished
Mr. Randall called for the reading of the report
in full. The offer so generous coming from
friendly power, that it ought to be treated
with respect
The report of the Secretary of State was read
and several times appauded
Mr. Randall asked unanimous consent that
the communication be placed upon the journal
of the House a mark of sentiment of the
House He further asked that the cOmmunica
ton be referred to the committee on foreign
affairs, with the object of having more formal
and appropriate recognition of the act of the
British government. Applause.
Il object" exclaimed MIR. Finerty.
Mr. Randall then put his request in the form
of a motion and it was agreed to, Messrs. Fin
erty and Robinson, of New York, alone voting
in the negative.
Can We not have ships of our own, without
begging quered Robinson of the Speaker
1.-THE Chair cannot answer that question"
responded the Speaker. Adjourned until
Saturday