New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-19
WHAT WAS DONE IN THE SENATE.

WHAT WAS DONE IN THE SENATE.
MR. CHANDLER WANTS 500 600 900 APPROPRIATED
TO STRENGTHEN THE MILITARY ARMAMENT.
Washington. Dec 1S.-The only occurrences
in the Senate to-day having any bearing
on the exciting question OF a possible war
with Great Britain were the introduction by
Mr.. Chandler Rep n. H. and the reference to
the Committee on Military Affairs Of a bill APP
propriating 800 900 to strengthen the military
armament Of the United States; the introduction
of a bill by Mr. Hill Dem, n. W to repeal the
law prohibiting officers of the late Confederate
States who had formerly neld commissions in
the United States Army or Navy from being ap-
pointed to any position in the Army or Navy
and resolution OF inquiry offered by Mr.. Davis
Rep, Mimi to the attempted establishment
Of post routes by Great Britain or Canada over
or upon United States territory in Alaska. Mr.
Hills desire to have his bill passed Immediately
was defeated by objection from Mr. Platt
Rep. Comm. who suggested that there was no
immediate haste for its Iassage, as the country
was not likely to get into a war before the re-
assembling of Congress. Mr.. HIS opinion was
that 1t was particularly proper and appropriate
at this critical period of our history" that such
offensive legislation SHOULD be wiped out Mr.
Hits bill remains on the table, that 1t may be
taken up for action at any time. Mr.. Davis's
resolution was agreed to without any question.
The bill appropriating 100000 for the proposed
Venezuelan Commission va, not received from
the House.
There was an unusually small attendance Of
Senators at the opening OF to-days session, ana
there sign indication OF excitement
growing out of the Presidents message In REFER
ence to the Monroe Doctrine.
Mr. Hill Dem, N. " introduced bill to re-
peal the law which provides that no person who
held commission in the Army or Navy Of the
United States at the beginning of the late re-
bellion. and who afterward served in any ca
pacity in the military. naval or civil service OF
the Confederate States, shall be appointed to
any position in the Army or Navy of the United
States. He asked that the bill be put on It's pas
sage at once. remarking that ii was particularly
proper and opportune, lat this critical period OF
our history" that such offensive legislation
should be wiped out
The Vice President asked whether there was
any objection to Mr.. HIS request that the bill
be considered.
Mr. Plat (Rep.. Comm said that the request
seemed to him rather remarkable. 1t was likely
that all Senators would vote for it, but in the
absence of the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr
Hoar) who was the first Republican Senator on
the Judiciary Committee. he would insist on the
bill going to that committee. There was no i'm
mediate haste for the passage of the bill! The
country was not likely to get into war before the
reassembling of Congress.
The bill was allowed to remain on the table
SENATOR CHANDELIERS PROPOSITION.
Mr.. Chandler Oep. n. h introduced bill
"to strengthen the military armament" and it
was referred to the Committee on Military
Affairs
Mr.. Davis Rep.. Minn) offered a resolution,
which agreed to. calling the President
fnr H. -l,o,
formation respecting the establishment of post
routes by Great Britain the Dominion Of
Canada United States territory in
Alaska; also respecting the occupation at
tempted occupation by any other means of any
portion of the territory by the military or civil
authorities of Great Britain or Canada: also re-
specting any other attempt by Great Britain or
Canada to assert any claim to the territory Of
the United States in Alaska.
The bill introduced in the Senate to-day"
said Senator Chandler, was not intended espe-
cially TO apply to our present foreign compca-
tons. We need new armament for the Army
and sadly in need of small arms. Several
years ago we began the enlargement and i'm
provement Of our Navy and the work has been
going on steadily ever since. The Navy is popu-
lar. and our people take comnendablc pride in
It. But. on the 9th n hand. what are we to do
with our land forces? We could mobilize 1,O00,-
0j0 men in short order, the South would under
take the contract Of pouring 100000 men into
Cuba if need be. and we could within few days
send 900 into Canada. But these men
WO"ld neeC modern small arms we can raise
regiments fast enough but to arm them prop
erly requires time. My bill contempates the
securing of 1000 900 infantry rifles and such field
artillery as will be necessary properly to equip
an army. Whether we have any trouble with
Great Britain or not, we should have these mod
ern implements of war for emergency cases"
Mr. Chambers bill provides that the President
be authorized and directed to strengthen the
military armament by adding thereto. equipped
for 900 600 infantry rifles 600 guns for field
artillery. and not exceeding 5000 heavy guns for
Notifications. to be procured by manufacture in
the arsenals. by contract for manufacture, or by
direct purchase In this country or elsewhere. ac-
cording TO the discretion OF the President who
shall conform, when practicable without unwse
delay to the methods prescribed for making
contracts and purchases by existing laws Tn
sum of S0o 100000 Is appropriated TO carry into
effect the provisions of the act
The bin appropriating 100000 for the expense
Of the Venezuelan Commission. as recommended
by the President in his message Yesterday VIII
I not BE- passed in the Senate as eXpeditiously as
II was rushed through the House. The House
simply appr0priates the money necessary; the
Senate proposes 10 make II a more serious matter
The bill will be referred to the Committee on For
elgn Affairs. Senator Morgan favors Increasing
the appropriation to 500 900 but there is another
ard more important reason why the bill should
be referred. The Monroe Doctrine has never
been perpetuated IN any Of the United States
statutes and ii Is the purpose of the Senate Com
mittee to engraft this doctrine into this bill The
time was never so opportunc. II Is said and the
House will doubtless accept the amendment
MR.. BAYARD DECLINES TO SPEAK.
ALL EFFORTS TO GET HIS OPINION OF TIE VEN
EzUELAN DISPUTE FRUITLEss