The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-22
MEASURES FOR DEFENSE
THREE IMPORTANT BILL
PASSED BY THE SENATE.


Measure Authorizing the Presi-
dent to Stop Shipments of Coal
and Other Contrnband Goods
Sundry Bill Through Final Stage.
WASHINGTON. April 21.-Three i'm
portant measures were passed by the
senate this afternoon, all of which re-
late largely to the national defense.
The sundry civil bill. which has been
pending for two weeks and which car
ries large amount of money intended
to be used in the Strengthening of the
country's coast defenses, was finally
passed.
The naval appropriation bill was i'm
mediately taken up and practically
completed. although pending the dis
cussion of an amendment concerning
the price Of armor plate, the bill was
displaced in order that the measure
temporarily increasing the military es-
adjustment of the United States in
time of war might be considered. After
a long discussion the bill, as amend
ed by the committee, was passed.
A joint resolution was adopted CIV
ing the president power to prevent the
expectation Of coal and other war ma
terial.
Sundry Bill Passed.
When the sundry civil bill was laid
before the senate, it's consideration be-
ing, by agreement, under the five-min-
ute rule. Mr.. Money (Miss.) said he had
noticed In morning paper the state
ment that the state department had an
nounced there would, during the ap-
preaching war, be no privateering by
the United States, and that this gov
GT~r1r1 hi d. hry% H.
Paris, made in 1856.
Il desire to inquire" said he, "wheth-
er any member of the foreign relations
committee can inform the senate If the
statement made in the newspapers is
true?"
Il have heard nothing about the mat
ter" responded Mr.. Davis, chairman of
cept what I have seen in the news
papers,"
Mr.. Money, continuing, said that he
could not believe the president had
taken such action. But" he said, sit
is well enough that the powers delegat-
ed to the president be clearly defined
here and now. The power to issue let
tiers of marque and reprisal belongs ex-
cluSively to congress. Neither the
United States nor Spain Is signatory to
the treaty Of Paris; but in everything
relating to the rights Of neutrals the
United States has taken most advanced
ground. 1t was because the United
States took more advanced ground than
other nations in this regard that the
United States did not become a party
to the Paris treaty.
Mr.. Hoar CMass) interrupted Mr..
Money to note that this was an in
opportune time to discuss the question,
as the senate had no knowledge that
the president had exceeded his consti-
tutional power.
Il desired simply to call attention
to the fact" continued Mr.. Money, "as
it was my duty to do, that this prop
osition cannot be tolerated by congress
and l would suggest to senators in the
confidence of the president that they
suggest to him the situation in con-
gress."
A sharp fight was made upon the
two amendments Of the committee to
that section of the bill relating to the
depredations on public lands and tim
Der.
The amendments, however, were fin
ally agreed to. The sundry civil bill
as amended was then passed.
The naval appropriation bill was
laid before the senate. The bill as it
passed the house carried $3S, OLA, 1858. AS
1T was reported to the senate it car
ries $46,277, 55S.
Pending the consideration of the
naval bill Mr.. Hawley Comm, chair
man of the military affairs committee,
called up the resolution introduced a
few days ago and reintroduced today
relating to the expectation Of coal and
other war materials. After so amend
ing the resolution as to enable the
president not only to lay but raise the
embargo, the resolution was passed
without division.
The reading Of the naval bill was
then resumed and completed, with it's
amendments, at 2:40 D. m. An amend
ment was added by the committee, pro-
viding that the secretary Of the navy
may establish depots for coal or other
fuel for warships, and appropriating
$250,O0O for that purpose.
Several minor amendments were
adopted.
AS the bill was about to pass the
armor matter was brought up, and as
it was likely to lead to debate. Mr..
Hawley brought up the volunteer army
bill, which was considered by unani-
nous consent.
The bill has been fully described in
these dispatches together with todays
amendments by the senate military
committee.
offered by Mr.. Hawley and agreed to.
Mr.. Bacon (Ga) suggested that the
bill be so amended as to provide that
nc man in the militia service should
be compelled to enlist by the vote of
the company of which he is a member.
Mr.. Hawley explained that nobody
could be forced to enlist as volunteer
in the service of the United States, and
there would be no practical difficulty
in carrying into effect the provisions
of the bill. He further explained that
no member OF a militia organization
could be forced to go out of the coun
try to perform service unless he should
volunteer for such service.