The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-22
PASS ARMY BILL.
The Senators Adopt the Meas
ure in Hurry.
1t Provides For Enlistment of
Volunteers.
MILITIA MEN FREE
To Enlist or Stay at Home a!
They Please.
Cannot Be Forced to Serve Out
side Their State.

Washington, April 22.-Three import
ant measures were passed by the SEN
ate yesterday afternoon, all of which
relate largely to the national defense.
The sundry civil bill, which has been
pending for two weeks and which car
ries a large amount of money intended
to be used in the Strengthening of the
country's defenses, was finally passed
The naval appropriation bill was i'm
mediately taken up and practically
completed, although pending the dis
cussion of an amendment concerning
the price of armor plate, the bill was
displaced in order that the measure
temporarily increasing the military eS-
Enlistment of the United States in
time of war might be considered. After
long discussion the bill, as amended
by the committee was passed.
A joint resolution was adopted CIV
ing the president power to prevent the
expectation OF coal and other war ma
terial
Mr.. Quay Pa.) introduced the fol-
lowing resolution:
THAT the president is hereby auth
Orized in his discretion and with such
limitations and exceptions as shall
seem to him expedient, to prohibit the
export of coal or other material used in
war from any seaport of the United
States until otherwise ordered by con-
greSS.'
When the sundry civil bill was laid
before the senate it's consideration be-
ing by agreement under the five min
ute rule. Mr.. Money (Nfiss.) said he
had noticed in the morning papers the
statement that the state department
said that there would, during the ap
preaching war, be no privateering by
the United States and that this gov
eminent would abide by the treaty of
Paris, made in 1856.
Il desire to inquire said he, "wheth-
er any member of the foreign relations
committee can inform the senate if the
statement made in the newspapers is
true
Il have heard nothing about the mat
ter responded Mr.. Davis, chairman
of the foreign relations committee, "ex-
cept what 1 have seen in the newspa-
perS."
Mr.. Money, continuing, said that he
could not believe the president had ia
ken such action. But" he said, lit is
well enough that the powers delegated
to the president be clearly defined here
and now
Mr. Hoar (Mass.) interrupted Mr..
Money to note that this was an mop
perfume time to discuss the question,
as the senate had no knowledge that
the president had exceeded his consti-
tutiOnal power.
Il desired simply to call attention to
the fact continued Mr.. Money, that
this proposition can not be tolerated by
congress and I would suggest to sena-
tors in the confidence of the president
that they suggest to him the situation
in congress-
The naval appropriation bill was laid
before the senate. The bill as it passed
the house carried $3S, OLD, 058. AS it was
reported to the senate it carried $780,
277 ,55S.
Pending the consideration of the ma
val bill, Mr.. Hawley (Conn) chairman
of the military affairs committee, call
ed up the resolution introduced a few
days ago, relating to the expectation of
coal and other war materials. After
so amending the resolution as to ena-
BILE the president not only to lay, but to
raise the embargo, the resolution was
passed without division.
The reading of the naval bill was
then resumed and completed.
An amendment was added by the
committee providing that the secretary
of the navy may establish depots for
coal or other fuel for warshipS and ap-
propriating $250,000 for that purpose.
AS the bill was about to pass the ar
NOR matter was brought uprand as it
was likely to lead to debate. Mr.. Haw-
ley brought up the volunteer army bill,
which was considered by unanimous
consent.
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 which he is a member.
Mr.. Hawley explained that nobody
could be forced to enlist as a volunteer
in the service of the United States and
there would be no practical difficulty in
carrying into effect the provisions of
the bill. He further explained that no
member of a militia organization could
be forced to go out of the country to
perform service, unless he should vol
under for such service.
Mr.. Pettus (A1a.) explained that the
matter suggested by Mr.. Bacon would
be 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
I a a of han n
volunteer for the service.
Mr.. Faulkner (W- Va.) said that the
militia organizations throughout the
thoroughly understood the
matter as they had been in communica-
ton with the war department concern
ing it. Every member of the National
Guard understood that he could not be
forced to enlist in the United States
service. The bill, after an extended
was passed.