Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-06
EELIEF FOR ARMY OFFICERS.



Account of Promotions
WASHINGTON, May 5.-In the House,
the day being set aside for consideration
of business reported from the Committee
on Military Affairs, the first bill called up
which was considered in committee Of
the whole, was the one for the relief OF
certain officers OF the volunteer army. 1t
provides that all soldiers Of the late war
who re-enlisted as veteran volunteers
and afterwards we're discharged to re-
ceiVe promotion and receive commissions
as officers in the army, shall be paid all
the installments OF the veterans bounty,
which were withheld from them on ac-
count OF their being 80 commissioned
and mustered, the same as they would
have been entitled to receive had they
completed their term OF enlistment with
out promotion and received au honorable
discharge. After an argument in sup
port of the bill by Mr.. Lard, OF Ne6ras-
ka, Mr.. Hewitt, Of New Y Ork, took the
floor in opposition TO the measure. He
made speech against the tendency to
extravaganza with public money, and
said that what was needed WAS relief from
excessive taxation, more economical eX-
penditure, and some measure of relief TO
the lab0ring olasses. This started
political debate in which scarcely any
reference was made 10 the pending meas
ure. On motion of Mr.. Holman, OF lndi-
ana, an amendment was adopted, extend
ing the provisions of the act to the wild
Ows OF such re-enlsted volunteer soldiers
as may be deceased.
Mr.. BOutelle, OF Maine, offered an
amendment extending the provisions of
the bill to enlisted men IN the navy and
marine corps. AT first many Of the Dem
Ocrats refrained from voting, and
! left the committee without a
quorum, but after the roll call
quorum appeared, and the amendment
was adopted by vote Of t27 to 70. Pend
ing further Ection the committee rose and
at 50'clOck the House took a recess until
1880 O'Clock, the evening session to be for
consideration of business reported from
the Militay Committee.
THE EVENING SESSION.
The first bill called up by the Military
Committee at the evenings session Of the
House was that TO increase the efficiency
OF the line Of the army. but as cOnsidera-
BILE opposition was expressed to it, and as
no quorum was present its consideration
wat postponed, and It was made the spec
ial order for the first day which has not
yet been set apart for consideration OF
other measures.
The House then resumed In committee
OF the whole consideration of the bill for
the relief of certain officers OF the volun-
teer army. Much autagOnism to this
measure was shown by members on the
Democratic side, and Mr.. Rogers, OF Ar
kansas, moved TO strike out the prOvIs0s
granting bounty to soldiers who were
discharged to receive promotion prior TO
their reinlistment as volunteers and to
| all volunteer soldiers who were
discharged on account Of disease con-
tracted in line OF duty, Though the
Democrats were in the majority. there
we're enough of them opposed to the mo-
ti0n TO secure it's defeat, 80 its supporters
refrained from voting and left the COM
mlttee without quorum. This fact was
reported to the House.
A motion TO adjourn was made and de-
feated by vote Of Az yeas to 110 nays, and
a call OF the House was ordered.
TEST OF ENDURANCE.
WASHINGTON, May 6, A. M.--An hour
or more WAS consumed In the call of the
roll and in the reception Of excuses for
absentees. The usual scenes or hilarity
were enacted, the excuses being received
with intimations that they were ''chest-
NUTS" and when the excuse was 'indis-
position" tender inquiries were made as
to the "tipple'' Ia which the gentleman
iBdulged. A long time was then consumed
in voting upon dilatory motions. and
finally having become wearied OF the
struggle. which had merely become test
Of ObstinacY, aud which promised moth
ing to either side OF the controversy, the
House at 1:40 O'Clock this morning ad-
journed.