Evening star., 1898-12-08
Opponents of Permanent Increase of
It Are Chiefly Democrats.
WHAF GEN. WHEELER INTENDS DOING
He Can Remain in Both Congress
sionaI and Military Service.
ARG UMENTS PRO AND CON

The question as to the right of General
Wheeler to participate in the work of Con-
gress while holding a commission in the
army is only a side issue in the organized
antagonism to the permanent increase of
the army. 1t is recognized that a bill of
some sort permanently increasing the army
Is to be put through Congress.
The opponents-chiehy democrats-to
considerable standing army have in this
contest about to open the sympathy of anti
expansionists generally, though some of
these have not the fear of standing army
which is entertained by most democrats.
The democrats will probably endeavor to
make a party question of the proposition
and within that party most of those who
are really expansionists retain their preju-
dice against large military establishment.
Wheeler n Champion.
In this connection it is generally under
steod that General Wheeler appears in the
House at this session as a champion of the
army, IN antagonism to the general senti-
ment of his party. 1t is believed that his
desire to participate in the work of this
session is inspired as much by a purpose to
assist in army legislation and to contend
against the prejudices of his party in that
regard as by any other consideration.
me routine matters relating to the in
telests OF ms district, it is said. any of
ms colleagues would be ready to care for
in his name.
General Wheeler has resolved not to re-
aisn MS commission within the House or
IN the army. Yesterday early in the dav ne
contemplated resignlng from the army but
reserved ms decision until he should have
chance to consult with the President IT
ID Understood to have been after this con-
suHation with the President that ha came
TO the decision that he could legally retain
Doth places, and, as he states, is based upon
the OPINION Of the Attorney General.
The Time for Action.
II Is anticipated that as soon as the gen.
erai offers to vote or to participate in any
way In the work Of the House the question
VIII De raised, and there Will be a rather
hVely discussion Aside from the fact of
MS hoidlng different position with re-
spect TO military legislation from that of
most or his party, II is deemed to he a
matter OF principle that man subject to
an aulhority that at any time might de-
inand his absence from the House while
mat booy required his presence thus in
NoiV1ng a conflict. cannot retain q seat in
the Legislative body. "
Inc pubIlc significance of the c0ntro-
VersY, however, is in the fact of the onno
sition TO army influences and that a certain
element in Congress will contest every ST.,
orsahlzatlon of large standing army and
70 an extended military authority in any
territory of the United States.
Spirit of Antagonism.
Ihls Is evidently going to be the line of
the contest that is going to occupy much
a''ehtlon curing this session and in the
succeeding Congress. The spirit of anrae-
ohlsm was disclosed in the consideration of
the military deficiency bill in the House TO-
DAY, ana similar state exists in the mil
llary committees of both houses of Con
ereSs. ~ So4i
no doubt Is entertained that the military
army and navy-deficiency bill will he
passed without further obstruction than
the consumption of time in debate intend
t su Hol TO afrect the fate of that measure,
but in anticipation of the struggle to come
later on. Every question is now being con-
sidered with relation to its bearing on mat
ters 10 come UP in the future, and in both
houses men are lining up for a most earn
est contention.