The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-08
MEN TO MAN THE GUNS
The House Votes the Two Regi-
ments of Artillery.
MUST BE READY FOR WAR
The Spirit of Patriotism Rampant in the
House-Shafroth Said the Country
Was on the Eve OF Rup-
ture With Spain.

Washington, March The spirit of
patriotism was rampant in the house
to-day, and by almost an unanimous
vote the Hawley bill providing for two
additional regiments of artillery was
passed under suspension of the rules.
No effort was made to obstruct action,
but Mr.. Bailey. the democratic leader.
pleaded for more time than the 40 min
utes allowed under the rule. and be-
cause it was refused after the bill had
been passed, he inaugurated filibuster
against District of Columbia legislation
that continued all day. Mr.. Bailey de-
sired to speak in favor of the bill. but
could not get the time.
Mr., Hull. in opening the debate ex-
planned briefly the necessity for these
men to man the coast defenses of the
country. BY July l. he said. pa big
guns and 232 mortars would be mount
ed. These guns required Is men each to
handle them, and in time of war 60.
There were 3.o25 artillerymen all told in
the service. The guns emplaced July l
would require 1000 men regardless of
any exigency that might arise. Even
III no exigency arose these men, he
insisted. would be necessary to care for
the fortifications and guns upon which
we We're expending millions of dollars.
The charge that this bill was an at
tempt to increase the standing army,
to be used possibly to overawe the
cities, he said. he considered too frivo-
lous to discuss.
Mr.. Cox, in opposing the bill, said he
would vote as cheerfully as any man in
the house for this BILL If it were needed
for the national defense as a war meas
ufe, but he argued that the president,
as commander-in-chief of the army. had
authority to detail men from the other
branches of the service the cavalry
IA n M In N frV md h1t Infa Is
could man and care for the coast de-
fenses without increasing permanently
the standing army.
Mr.. Bel6nap, rep. ILL.,, son of ex-
Secretary of War Belknap. and Mr..
Mcclellan, dem, N. " son of General
Mcclellan, both warmly advocated the
passage of the bill in brief speeches, and
Mr.. Hay dem, Va, created the first
open enthusiasm by declaring himself
in favor of taking every step necessary
now 10 prepare for the emergency which
eonfronts the country.
Mr.. Jones. DEM, Va. the other DEM
ocrat who opposed the bill. insisted that
the bill was not a war measure. as Ii
had been recommended for several
years.
Mr.. Shafroth OF Colorado caused
round of applause when he expressed
his regret that single voice should be
raised against such a bill at such a
time. There was no denying the fact
that our foreign relations with Spain
were on the eve of a rupture. War
ought to be averted If possible, but we
ought to prepare at once, he said, for
every emergency.
Mr. Williams, dem, Miss, said that
while his voice was now, as ever, for
peace, Ii seemed absolutely certain that
Spain was forcing US into war 10 extri-
cate the reigning family from the des-
perate straits into which she was placed
by her futile attempts to subjugate
Cuba He had been for Cuban beliger-
| ency and Cuban independence. and il
war was to come as a result of our
sympathy for those who were strug-
Cling for their freedom. he would not
refuse to give his vote to any measure
designed to prepare us TO meet the
enemy.
The time for debate expired at this
time and Mr.. Bailey. who had not been
able to get the floor, asked for unani-
nous consent for three minutes. Mr..
Hepburn. rep, Iowa. objected.
Mr.. Lewis. dem. Wash, attempted
| TO offer an amendment prohibiting the
use of these two regiments to suppress
strkes. The bill was then passed with
out division.
The great chorus Of ayes was offset
| by three voices on the minority side.
| Messrs. Cox. dem. Tenn, Jones. dem.
| Va, and Todd. fusion. Mich.
District of Columbia business was
| then taken up and Mr. Bailey. as
| method of resenting the refusal TO ac-
/ cord him the privilege of addressing
/ the house on the artillery bill, inaugu
! rated Il fiilibuster Roll call followed
t roll call for two hours. When the con-
4 fusion on the floor became such that
+ order was called the speaker requested
j all members to take their seats. Mr..
! Bailey retained his place on the floor.
Again the speaker requested members
ia Ia a. 7faf