The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-30
THE FORTY-NINTH CONGRESS
Discussion Of Senator Logan's Bill to
Increase the Armys Strength.
Introduction of New Measures in the House,
Including Proposition to Inquire Into
the Carrollton, Miss, Massacre.
THE SENATE.
Debate on Senator Logan's Bill to Increas
A

the Strength of the Army.
WASHINGTON, March 29-The Chair laid be-
fore the Senate memorial of an nti-Chinese
convention, held ut Sacramento. Cal, praying
some relief from the Chinese evil.
After routine morning business Mr.. Logan's
army bill was laid before the Senate.
Mr. Logan sent to the deck, and had read, a
letter from General Sheridan favoring the pro-
posed increase. Mr.. Logan advocated the bill
Mr. Plumb opposed it. He thought il singu-
lar that while We were SO thoroughly at peace, a
measure of this character should be introduced
lie had been sorry TO hear the suggestion that
an increased army was necessary to put down
local troubles among our own people. This was
either republic-a governments of the people
OR it was not When the army was to be
called to put down local trouble it would be be-
cause public opinion had not done its perfect
work. Ii would not do TO instili into the peo-
pies mind this lesson of force as remedy for
such trouble and of all forms of force the use of
an army, or the exercise of power by the general
government, was the most Objectionable. The
present proposition was one calculated to devel-
Op friIls, furbelows and shoulder-straps. The
proudest day of the Republic was when the great
muster-out occurred at the close Of the war.
There was a period Of eighty days when the
President Of the Republic lay sick unto DEATH
there was then practically no President, yet no
force was needed to maintain order.
Mr. Dawes favored the bill, and in the course
OF his remarks made the following alusion TO
he who performs labor shall reap fair compensa-
ton, and that profits shall be shared justly be-
tween him who furnishes the capital and him
who furnishes the labor to make the capital
productive and you will have no trouble between
labor and capital Self-control, Mr.. Dawes
said, was the characteristic of our people, and
would see them through all their differences
He would assert the American doctrine, and adj
vance the interests Of our laborers in every
practicable manner
Mr. Teller saw no necessity for any increase.
Violence In the States should be put down by
the people Of the States. It was not desirable to
resort to standing army for police purposes,
and the people OF the United States did not in
tend that local disturbances in the States should
be put down by national troops
Mr. Logan defended his position on the bill
AS to one Of the arguments advanced by the
Senator from Kansas Mr.. Plumb, that because
laborers were poorly paid the soldiers should
not be better paid than at present, Mr.. Logan
thought that very poor argument It was
very singular that men OF wealth-bankers rich
enough to be hardly able to count their money
were always found to be the friends of the work
ingmen Laughter in the galleries. This was
all right for the rich man to do; but when. any
thing was said for the workingmen by those who
had themselves the actual experience of the
workingman, that was altogether improper. It
was only the bankers and the rich men who
WcTo w have tu0 TlEuL tO bpSdk IOr INC WCrhluS-
man. The Senator from Kansas Mr. Logan
said, had referred to the great parade on Penn
sylvania avenue, at the close of the war, when
the returning army marched out. Mr.. Logan
was himself present on that occasion, and COM
manded the largest body of troops in all the line
80, 900 men; but, of course, having been only a
poor volunteer officer. the Senator from Kansas,
could not mention his name, although mention
ing the name Of officer who had not marched
at all on the occasion. Mr.. Logan did not refer
to this to g!orfy himself, but to show it was for
people having personal feeling to do an in
justice. 1t was an unwarrantable assumption
for any Senator TO intimate that this bill was
now introduced with view to any impending
difficulty between labor and capital. Why this
insinuation that there was desire to use the
army against the people? 1t seemed that to some
men any statement that would injure another
was a sweet morsal Il was an uLfoundei and
unworthy insinuation. Referring to the sug-
gestion that the increase of the army was wanted
for show-"for circusn-Mr. Logan repealed it.
The people, he said, did not want any sshow"
about it. They had SHOW" and Circus enough
in the Senate. Laughter And, while the SEN
atorial circus was on, he did noe know any more
active performers than the Senators who were
opposed to this bill. Renewed laughter. In
conclusion, Mr.. Logan said republicanism was
becoming power the world over; and the United
States should be prepared to say to the first
European power that attempts a foothold in
America: Lay on. Macduff, and damned be he
who first cries, hold, enough" Applause in
galleries.
After executive session, the Senate ad-
iourned.