Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, this bill creates an army of 55 regiments of infantry. The bill that passed the Senate on the tith of March last provided for the organization of 50 such regiments, and I have understood from Officers of the Army that that number is deemed sufficient for the purposes of the country. I have taken the trouble to ascertain what additional amount of expense this Government will be subjected to by reason of the increase from 50 to 55 infantry regiments. If you look at the pay properof these 5 regiments alone, without regard to subsistence, clothing, and equipment, or to anything else, the number of men being limited to 50 in each company, as it is proused to limit it by this bill, t ien the annual additional eXpense will be $828, 869 90. T hen there are a great many contingencies connected with that service which have not gone into this computation, such as equipment, rations, forage, and everything of that nature. Now, air, if these 5 regiments proposed by this bill are not necessary for the country, I for one feel desirous that it should be relieved from this additional expense. I have made this computation upon the basis of the minimum number provide by this bill. l But if the regiments are filled u to the max imum it will add $400,000 more fbr pay alone, making the whole amount upwards of one million 250,000 dollars for the additional 5 regiments, besides the expense of supporting them and keeping them in the field. I am told, I do not know whether it be true or not, that this increase of rements is in reference to the or nization of the Veteran Reserve corps, and t atit is designed to be the means of furnishing emploment and subsistence to men in that corps. I submit that when it is known, as I believe every gentleman when he comes to reflect upon it wi see and know that this Veteran Reserve cors is composed of men who have been disuali ed for active service in the field, and who are pronounced to be unfit for anything but light duty in fortifications, it will be seen that it will be wisdom on the part of the Government to increase the pensions of these men rather than to incur this additional expense for the purpose of putting men into the field who are not competent for the duties of the field. I have no desire whatever to do any injustice to any man who has served under this Government during this war. But I wish to see the Army of the U.S. efficient, whether at post or in the field and therefore I believe public policy demands that we should pension those who have been unfortunate, and eep up the most efficient or nization it is possible for us to do in the fiel. This bill contemplates that this Reserve corps shall be kept on post duty. Of course the officers of the regular Army are to be sent off into the field, where they will have no opportunities for the ordinary recreations or enjoyments which they may occasionally have under the present. system of service. Now, this thing should be equalized; regiments which. have been stationed in hot climates or at sickly posts in one season should be transferred to other posts as has been the practice of the Dept heretofore, and has we should have uniformity and fairness in the disposition of the Army. These are the only remarks I desire to make on this section. I “ will move to strike out 55” and insert the word “50” before the words “regiments of infantry.”