The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-09
THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS
Decided Not to PreCipitate Debate on the
Conduct Of the Var.
VEST INTRODUCED A RESOLUTION
In the Senate Providing for Joint Com
mittee to Investigate Charges of
Corruption in Securing Con-
tracts for Supplies.

Washington, December S-The urgent de-
fciency bill to provide for the support of
the military and naval establishments, was
passed by the house to-day practically
without opposition. A fear had been ex-
pressed that the measure might open up a
prolonged debate upon the conduct OF the
war, but the democratic leaders decided
that such debate would properly come
later upon the regular appropriation bills or
upon the bill for the reorganization OF the
army. There was not word of criticism
of the war during the days debate.
The only principle upon which an issue
was raised today was as to whether the
bill provided for the retention of the vol
unteers until July /, 1899 might not be con-
strued as a modification Of the law under
which the volunteers were mustered into
service. Mr.. Mcnae of Arkansas Offered
an amendment providing that 1t should not
De SO construed and upon it there was a
general discussion as TO the ACCESSIBILITY of
mastering the volunteers out before the
regular army was increased.
Mr.. Cannon finally accepted the McRae
amendment and that received the only
shadow of opposition to the bill The num-
Der of amendments were adopted upon the
recommendations of the appropriations
committee, which received some supple
mental establishments after the bill was
prepared. The largest of these was an item
of SS000,U00 for an emergency fund for the
war department, and s. ,70S, 900 for the orr
nance department., increasing the amount
carried by the bill to 500 ,SY5, S92.
The conference report upon the bill to
render the sureties of consuls, vice con-
6uls and consular agents liable tor dam
ages in suits at law was adopted.
Adjourned Until Monday
The house adjourned over until Monday
to give the committees an opportunity to
work without interruption.
Sir Wilfred Laurier, premier of Canada.
Lord Hersche, Sir Louis Davies and Mr..
James Winter, premier of New foundland,
members of the High commission, occu-
pied seats in the gallery of the house, be-
ing the guests of Mr.. Dingley, the floor
leader OF the majority, who is Il member
oil the commission. They seemed greatly
interested in the proceedings and proce-
dure.
On motion Of Chairman Cannon, of the
appropriation committee, the house went
into committee of the whole Immediately
after the reading of the journal to consider
the urgent deficiency bnl for the support
of the military and naval establishments
during the six months beginning January
!, 1899.
Mr. Underwood, democrat, of Alabama,
interrogaJed Mr.. Cannon with view of Sc
curing statement as to the disposition to
be made of the volunteer army.
Mr.. Cannon said the treaty of peace
might be ratified in January, 1t might not
be ratified for months. No one could tell
what was in front of us. We must deal
with a situation. The volunteer army
might be mustered out and its place taken
by the regular army. That was a matter
for the future to decide, but he felt con-
fident that the treasury would be rich
enough and congress wise enough to meet
any emergency.
Endorsed the Measure
Mr.. Sayers, democrat of Texas, the rank
Ing minority member of the appropriations
committee, gave his unqualified endorse
ment to the bill, which he said did not af-
feet In any way the legislation regarding
the volunteer or regular armies. 1t simply
made appropriations to support the pres
ent military and naval establishment.
The bill was based on the theory that the
volunteers would continue in the service
until July, 1899.
If they were mustered out the appropria-
lions would be covered back into the treas
ury.
Mr. Livingston, democrat, of Georgia,
expressed the opinion that the law under
which the volunteers were mustered into
service was subject to double construction
as to the time when they should be mus
tered out and believed If the president was
disposed to keep the volunteers in the SER
vice until the regular army had been reor-
ganized the bill appropriating money for
their payment would strengthen his hands.