The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-16
DEBATE IN THE SENATE.
Deficiency Bill Passed After Speeches
by COcLreII and others.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-The urgent
deficiency appropriation bill, making pro-
vision for the army and navy for the
next six months displaced the Nicara-
qua canal bill in the Senate to-day, prevent
ing even the taking of vote on the ques-
ton of postponement until after the holidays,
as had been intended. The deficiency bill
was passed after a spirited discussion turn
ing principally on the point of keeping the
volunteer soldiers in the service.
The Senate decided, convening to-day,
to take a recess from 1:30 until $3.50 o'clock
in order to permit senator's to attend the
funeral of Mrs. Bright, wife of the SER
geant-at-alms of the Senate.
Mr.. Vest made a brief personal explana-
tion saying he had received a letter from
Attorney General Griggs denying that at
banquet in New York he had, quoted,
expressed the opinion that the Constitution,
made for thirteen half-developed colonies,
could not reasonably be extended to meet
the demands of the greatest nation in the
world.
Mr.. Morgan presented a memorial from
the National Board of Trade favorable TO
the construction Of the Nicaraguan canal,
and he asked that the document be printed
in the Congressional Record. Mr.. Allen OBJ
jected, and the objection proved the basis
of an animated discussion involving the
rules of the Senate, as well as the wisdom
of the construction of the canal. Mr.. Nor
gan regarded the objection as an effort to
obstruct the construction of the canal and
prevent the country securing information
on the canal. Mr.. Allen resented this impu-
tation, saying that he was favorable to the
canal on general principles, though advocat-
ing government ownership. He predicted
that the canal would cost 00,C00000. With
out determining the mooted point raised by
Mr. Allen, the Senate, at Mr.. Hales request,
took up the urgent deficiency appropriation
bill
Mr.. Cockrell addressed the Senate In re-
gard to the mastering out of the volunteer
soldiers, large majority OF whom. he said,
wanted to be mustered out and many Of
whom were making sacrifices by remaining
in the service. On the other hand the Off
GERS, who were finding the service more
profitable than the privates, had, in many
cases, refused to forward applications for
discharge. He thought that in such cases
the War Department should exercise some
discretion in the interest of the private and
be more lenient with the enlisted men.
NO WAR ON FILIPINoS.
Mr.. Cockrell said very few soldiers would
be required in Cuba and Porto Rico, or, for
that matter, in the Philippines, where, he
said, our footing was very insecure. He said
this country's occupation there was most
meager, and he described our attitude as
that OF standing with one foot on the land
and the other on the bay, and that there was
no probability of war in that direction. I'VE
have no war to make on the F'ilipinos," he
said, land can make no attempt to subjugate
them unless Congress first makes a declara-
ton of war which 1t is not likely 10 do.
Until that is done there can be no effort to
subjugate those people who are living in
peace IN their own country, and there can
therefore be no excuse for the United States