Mr. PAINE. I will explain in a few words the reasons which prompted me to offer the amendment when this bill was before the House on a former occasion. It never occurred to i ne, and I suppose it has occurred to but few members of this House, that the President in carrying out the provisions of the amendment I offere, whenever it should happen that there was the largest number of troops temporarily stationed at a particular post, would send a hand there on that account. I supposed as a matter of course that he would exercise a reasonable amount of discretion in carrying out the provisions of this bill, and would not, because the largest number of troops ha peued to be stationed at any 0st for a few days, or even for a few weeks, eel himself called upon to transfer a band to that ost. And I have no idea that the POTUS, or any officer acting under him, would ever do an thing so unreasonable as that y idea in offering the amendment was this: that the posts at which the largest number of troops were stationed are justly entitled to these hands, if they are retained in the service, and not these posts where there may happen to be a small number of troops stationed, and where the officers who happen to be in command may be so influential with the authorities as to obtain these bands to the deprivation of other pests more entitled to them. I still think that the bands should go to the posts where the largest number of troops are stationed for any period of time, whetherit be on the frontiers where men see hard service, wherd' officers do not like to be stationed, and where bands do not like to go, or whether it be on the sea board, near some city orwatering plaee, where officers desire to do fancy duty, and where bands like to go. I Therefore I am Opposed to the change ro ed by the Gentfrom NewYork, Mr and 1] and which I am sorry to see that the chairman of the ComMilAffrs ML SCHEXCK] seems to be willing to accept. fthat change be adopted the very object I had in view originally in offering the amendment will be defeated; it will enable the posts where small numbers of troops are congregated, where it would be convenient and agreeable to have bands for the amusement and enjoyment of the officers stationed there and their lady friends, to robthe frontier posts where the largest number of troops are stationed, and where bands really should be employed.