The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-20

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Pension bill In Twenty Minutes.
The IHerDationsi American AMI
Charter Extend Marfae Inspec.
ton Laws.
SENATE.
Washington, December 15.-The ur-
gent deficiency appropriation bill, max
ing provision for the army and navy
for the next six months, displaced the
canal bill in the senate TO
day, preventing even the taking OF a
vote on the question OF postponement
until after the holidays, as had been
intended. The deficiency bill was pass
ed after a spirited discussion turning
principally on the point of keeping the
volunteers soldiers in the service.
Senator Cockrell addressed the senate
in regard to the mastering out OF the
volunteer soldiers, calling attention to
the provision in the deficiency bill
bearing upon this point. He said that
a large majority of the volunteers
wanted to be mastered out and that
MANY of them were making sacrifices
by remaining in the service. On the
other hand, the officers who were hnd-
ing the service more profitable than
tn privates had in many cases refused
to forward applications for discharge.
Now that it was manifest that the war
was over and there was nothing lett
for the sol1iers to do, but to perform
police duty he hoped the department
would be more lenient with the enlist
ed men.
When Senator Cockrell concluded
the senate took, a recess until $3.50
o'clock p. m, in order to permit ena
tors to attend the funeral Of Mrs.
Bright, wife of the sergeant-at-arms of
the senate.
After the recess Senator AAale, reply
ing to Senator Cockrell, said he had
no doubt that the rank and file of the
army abroad had a great desire to re-
turn home, and he expressed the OpiE-
ionthat they should be allowed to do
20. He argued hat there was no
menac of war unless it was with the
Philippines and the only danger there
was in our. attacking them. 1t was
true that the duty developed upon the
government of the United States of
maintaining peace and quiet in Cuba
for the present until the Cubans could
establish a government of their own.
He hoped that this would no be long.
In respons to questions from Senator
Allen, Senator Hale expressed the opin-
ion that affairs would o o take such
-. 80 %hot tho caruinn IF tho 1yn1I1n-
teers could be dispensed with. He
thought that within the next six
months so, 1000 or g. 10000 soldiers could
be mustered ollt. But this was a mat
ter which should be left largely to the
administration. He understood it was
the intention to keep about. 10000 men
in the Philippines.
Senator German said he had aGvocat-
ed an amendment to the bill which
would provide in explicit terms for the
reduction of the army to from $4,000
to SO, 900 men by July LIST next, but ow-
ing to the representations of the army
authorities he would reserve his
amendment until the army bill could
come before the senate. In this o
nection he. paid "a high tribute to AID
jutant General Corbin and then pro-
ceeded to warn the country against
the encroachments Of the military ele-
ment. Naturally the army officer
wanted to preserve his own independ-
ence and maintain his employment,
but this was no reason why the private
citizen should not Zealously guard his
own rights. Senator German conceded
that some increase of the army would
be necessary, but he did not want to-
encourage the idea that we should keep
a sufficient number Of men undr arms
to hold in subsection outlying coun-
tries with whose people We have no
common ties. He thought coaling sta
tons necessary for the extension Of our
trade. but announced himself as Op-
posed to undue expansion by means of
conquest.
Senators Allison, Money and Sewell
spoke on the subject, after which the
bill was passed.
At the instance of Senator Harris the
senate adopted a resolution, calling
upon the president for Information as
to the status of the report of the Mica
ragua comm ission.
The senate then went into executive
session and at sos o'clock p. m. sd
until Monday.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The house today surpassed all pre-
vious records IN the expedition with l
which it passed the pension appropria- |
ton bill. The bill In days gone by |
has been one of the most fruitful |
themes of acrimonious partisan debate, |
but today, though carrying $4,000, 600 |
than tho oct feS. tho ortrronf voor /
it was passed In twenty minutes with |
out a word of criticism. The bill car |
ries $145, 253, $3.50.
Senator Allen, democrat, of Mississ-
the appropriation committee. I
called attention to the fact that when
he first came to congress fourteen years
ago the pension appropriation inva-
precipitated a bioody-shirt dis
He congratulated the country
that the congress has progressed since
then and that there would be no acri-
monious discussion on the bill. The
AT last had tho GRATIFYING - i