The herald., 1898-12-09
THE OPEN DOOR

possibly be construed to modify the volun-
teer act.
Fleming declared that the volunteers had
enlisted under the promise that they would
be discharged when the war was over. He
could not understand why the chairman Of
the appropriations committee should op
-fpose the McRae amendment, which simply
provided that nothing in the pending bill
should construe or modify the act of April
22d.
Cannon said he saw no good reason that
would be subserved by its incorporation. 1t
would simply give some gentlemen on the
other side an opportunity to flap their
wings and proclaim with sound and fury
their friendship for the volunteers. Uaugh-
ter.)
De Almond, Democrat, of Missouri, advo-
Gated the adoption of the McRae amend
ment. The president, he said could not
transform the volunteers into uniformed
i policemen if congress in its wisdom decided
otherwise. The whole question was mere
bubble as to whether the universal under
standing of the 100000 men who had enlist
ed, that they should be discharged when
hostilities ceased, was now to be abandoned
and the volunteers held to do police duty
| in different parts of the world
| General debate upon the bill was then
closed, upon Mr.. Cannon's motion, and the
bill was read for amendment under the five
minute rule.
Mr.. Cannon offered committee amend
| ment for an emergency fund of So, 000, 900 for
| the war department. He said it was impos,
sible to see what contingencies might and
probably would arise in the next six months.
An emergency fund of 100000 was pro-
vided for the navy department. The amend
mept was adopted.
Mr.. King, Democrat of Utah, offered an
amendment to limit the appropriation for
the pay of the volunteers to the period prior
to March 81, 1899. He thought it the i'm
perative duty of the president to muster out
the volunteers as soon as peace was de-
clared. The amendment was lost without
division.
Mr.. Allen, Democrat of Mississippi, offered
an amendment providing that the money
appropriated in the bill for the payment Of
volunteers should not be available longer
than three months after ratification of a
treaty of peace. 1t was defeated, 81 to II.
On motion of Mr. Cannon, several com.
mittee amendments were adopted.
The appropriation for the current ex-
penses of the ordnance service was increased
from $50, 900 to $l00,0O0 for the manufacture
of metallic ammunition, marksmens med
ais, insignia, ETC., from $2OO,OOO to 100000;
for the purchase and manufacture of ord
nance stores from 1862, 900 to S25O, 900; for in
fantry, cavalry and artillery equipment from
sec, 900 to $l5000O, and for the manufacture
of arms at national armories, etc., from
S275,OOO to 1926, ,OO0
These increases, Mr.. Cannon explained
had been recommended by the chief of ord.
nance. Mr.. Cannon then accepted the Nc
Rae amendment. Without further amend.
ment the bill was reported to the house and
passed without division.
Mr.. Cannon moved that when the house
adjourn today, it be until Monday next, ex-
planning that the adjournment would give
the committee an opportunity to work. The
motion was agreed to.
Mr.. Shafroth of Colorado asked unanimous
consent for the consideration of the bill for
the reclamation of arid lands Mr.. Hepburn
of Iowa objected.
A conference report on the bill relating to
the bonds of consuls vice consuls and con.
sular agents was adopted.
At 4;2O p. m. the house adjourned until
Monday.