Savannah morning news., 1886-05-09
NECESSITY OF AN ARMY
USEFUL TO EVERY NATION AS
A SYMBOL OF POWER.

The Experience OF other Countries
Should not be Forgotten in Dreams OF
Paaoe-The Argument Followed by the
Passage of the Military Academy Ap.
preparation Bill.
WASHINGTON, May s.-The House to-,
day passed one private pension bill and a !
bill authorizing the Kansas City, Fort
Scott and Gulf Railroad Company to con-
struct road through Indian Territory,
and then went into committee. OF the
whole on the military academy approp.i.i
alton bill.
Mr.. Wheeler, Of Alabama, stated that
no complaint had been made against a
single provision OF the bill by the Secre-
tary OF War, and that therefore, it might
be safely assumed that the measure was
adequate in all its appropriations. The
sum carried by the hill was $297,s05 IS
against an appropriation OF S3l0,021 for
the current fiscal year.
TRAINING THE YOUTH.
Though the country was enjoying
period OF profound peace, and though
some gentlemen thought that all apprO-,
priations for the maintenance OF the mil.
itary academy WAS unnecessary, he con-
tended that IL was wise that the youth OF
the country should receive knowledge in
military tactics. All nations, in their
dreams Of peace, forgot the experience OF
other nations. The great question of the
day was not the silver question nor tho
tarin question. but IL was the great labor
question. IL the country was so happy as
to change the laws which retained the
product OF American labor at home,
and prevented its finding a foreign mar
Het. II would surely clme into contact and
conflict with foreign nations, and it was
not too early 20 consider the subject.
NECESSITY OF AN ARMY.
Every great country must have an army
as a symbol OF It's power. Up TO this times
the national honor was asunimpeached. butt
it was the duty Of the members OF Cons
gress to satisfy themselves that 1t was I'M
possible for one nation or two nations
TO force the q nited States TO the election
OF permitting New York and Philadelphia
and other seaports TO be destroyed or To
submit 20 an ignOminiOus peace. Every
measure for pertecting the military
strength OF America should be well con-.
sidered. The military system should be
improved, the navy rehablitated, and for
titicatiOns put IN cOndltiOn OF defense.
After a short discussion, in which no,
opposition was made, the bill was read by
sections, but no amendments were offered,
and the committee rose aud the bill was
| passed.
| THE ARMY BILL.
The House then went into committee on
the aImv appropriation bill.
Mr.. Wheeler, Of Alabama, moved to
strike out from the caption TO the pay OF
the Engineer C0rns the words staff
The Engineer Corps did not belong to the
staff and he did not wish the House, bv
implication. 20 recognize that they did.
Their proper station was in the line.
| MIR. Bragg remarked that IL had been
once SAID by a poet, of certain class OF
! per sons, that they were unfit for heaven
| and too mean for hell. The engineer corps
set itself up as an independent institu-
! tion. 1t did not belong to the staff. 1t
did not serve in the line. II was afraid Of
being classed with the common herd.
The motion wag agreed TO aud without
further action the committee rose and
the House ad djourned.