The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-22
MEASURES PASSED
BY THE SENATE
All of Which Relate 10 the National
Defense.
The SUNDRY CIVIL SERVICE BILL
Carries IA Large Amount of Money for
Strengthening Coast Defenses.
Naval Appropriation Bill Is Prac-
tically Completed--H House Reports
Back Army REORGANIZATION Bill
with Il Number of Amendments.

Washington, April 21.-Three import
ant measures We're passed by the sem
ate this afternoon, all of which relate
largely to the national defense. The
Sundry civil BILL which has been pend
ing for two weeks, and which carries
a large amount of money intended to
be used in the strengthening of the
country's coast defenseS, was finally
passed. The naval appropriation bill
was Immediately taken up and practi-
Cally completed, although, pending the
discussion of an amendment concerning
the price of armOr plate, the bill was
displaced in order that the measure
temporarily increasing the military es-
adjustment of the United States in
time of war, might be considered. Af-
ter a long discussion of the bill as
amended by the committee, it was
passed. A joint resolution was adopt
ed giving the president power to pre-
vent the expectation of coal and other
war material
Just before adjournment it became
known among senators on the floor that
Senator Walthall, of Mississippi who
has been ill for several weeks, was
dead. The formal announcement of his
death was not made, but will be when
the senate convenes tomorrow.
Mr.. Hawlev (ConnD, chairman of the
military affairs committee, brought UP
the volunteer army bill which was con-
sidcred by unanimous consent.
The bill has been fully described in
these dispatches together with today's
amendments by the senate military
committee.
Some other minor amendments were
offered by Mr.. Hawley and agreed
TO.
Mr.. Bacon (Ga) suggested that the
bill be so amended as to provide that
no man in the militia service should be
compelled to enlist by the vote of the
company of which he is a member.
Mr.. Ilawley explained that nobody
could be enforced to enlist as a Volun-
teer in the service of the United States
and there would be no practical diff
Guilty in carrying into effect the pro-
visions of the bill. lie further explain
ed that no member of military organ
ization could lie forced to go out of the
country to perform service unless he
should volunteer for such service.
Mr.. Pettus (AlaO explained that the
matter suggested by Mr.. Bacon would
he arranged by the governors of states.
All of the militiamen would not, of
course. volunteer for service. No indi-
vidual company or regiment would be
compelled to enter the service although
the great body Of them would doubt
less volunteer for the service.
Mr.. SeWell On j. paid "A high tribute
to the state militia organizations as
very efficient, well armed and we'll
equipped soldiers. The service of these
soldiers the war department was an
Xous to secure at once. The call would
he made upon the governors of states
for troops They would make the call
for volunteers and would fill up COM
panies and regiments before offering
them as volunteers to the government.
Mr., Faulkner CIV. Va.) said that the
militia organizations throughout the
country thoroughly understood the mat
ter as they had been in communica-
tion with the war department concern
ing it. Every member of the national
guard understood that he could not he
forced TO enlist in the United States
service.
The bill, after an extended discus
sion, was passed