The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-17
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
THE ARMNlAPPROPRIATION BILL
LIKELY TO C4USE
A Lively Discussion In the House
Chaplain Ailburn's Prayers
The Labor Vote.
looRREsPoSDKSoE OF rHE APprAL.l

looRRKsPoSDKNoE OF THR APPKAL.l
WASHINGTON, April l4-There is a
prospect of as lively discussion in
the House over the question of reor-
ganizing the army as has Just been
terminated in the Senate. The army
appropriation bill, recently reported
by the House Committee on Military
Affairs, proposes sweeping changes in
the army. II proposes to reduce the
number OF companies from $50 to 100,
while leaving the number of troops
I, $4,000, as at present. II also provides
for introducing the three battalion
system, not only in the infantry as
propo Ell by Senator Manderson's bill,
but also in the cavalry, artillery and
engineer branches. This change is
deemed necessary on account of the
change in the character OF firearms.
The use of the Winchester breech
loading and repeating rifles requires a
revolution in the methods OF man
euvering and disp 9sing of troops. The
old plan of forming lines of three, or
even two, ranks would result in this
day of improved firearms in massa-
ere of the troops thus drawn up. In
fact the whole body of troops must
now be Unanswered almost exactly
like skirmish.
The House Military Committee
think there is no need at present to
increase the number of troops in the
regular army. 1T would be a bad
plan, in my opinion" said Gen
Cutcheon, a member of the commit
tee, recently, "to increase the army
just now on the ground that labor
troubles make necessary a stronger
military force. 1t might be construed
as an admission of weakness and dan
ger, which, l think, do not exist.
Our present military force is large
enough, if it is properly organized
and handled. II we are going to in
crease our force we should do it in
time of tranquility, if possible, rather
than when it may cause irritation"
CHAPLAIN MLBURN
of the House doesn't make any more
sensational prayers, and his morning
petitions are no longer printed in the
Record For a few days after the ven
cradle Chaplain began the practice of
referring pointedly to current events
in his invocations the galleries were
crowded, everybody being DESTROYS of
hearing what new topic the Chaplain
would discuss. But when he turned
to the consideration of wine-drinking,
horse-racing, stock, gambling and
other amusements in which Con-
gressmen have been known at
times to indulge the members
concluded that his remarks were get
ting altogether too personal. Finally
Representative James of Brooklyn, N.
Y, objected to printing the petition
offered by the dominic on a certain
occasion on the ground that it was Gin
cendiary." Very soon afterwards
Col Morrison, who evidently does not
believe in free trade in prayers, wrote
little note to the Chaplain, advising
moderation. Moreover, the Chapla' n
received hints from various quarters
that unless he dealt more gently with
errors of his listeners he would defeat
his reelection to the Chaplaincy, if
not cause his expulsion. The Chap
lain gave heed to his advisers, aud the
galleries are no longer filed to hear
his efforts.
THE LABOR ARBITRATION BILL.
The House heaved a sigh of relief
and satisfaction when a vote on the
labor arbitration bill was finally
reached, and the bill passed by an
overwhelming majority of 1876 TO 30.
The knowledge that there was a prin-
ciple at stake has lent to the debate of
the last few days on this bill degree
of Interest on the part of members that
has not been reached before during the
present session. There were, indeed,
demagogical speeches and buncombe
votes, but there were likewise many
members who felt a keen anxiety for
the result of the discussion. The
feeling of thoughtful men is that if
this bill becomes law, Congress will
have taken step from which there
can be no turning back, and which
must lead to a greatmany other steps,
the ultimate end of which cannot be
foretold. The present measure is re-
garded as merely an experiment, to
be followed up by other legislation
very soon. Its chief Importance lies
in the fact that it puts the seal of
Congress on arbitration as the national
means of setting disputes between
wage earners and wage payers. Who
will say that action of the House Of
Representatives of the United States
does not mark the beginning of a new
era in the history Of the industrial
classes in this country?