Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-08

PATRIOTISM AFLAME.
interesting Debate In The House Of
Representatives.
THE ARMY-lNCREASE BILL.
Practically No Opposition to It's Imnle-
date Passage.
FIFTY MILLIONS FOR DEFENCE.
Measure Making This Provision In
troduced by MIR. Cannon, Chairman
OF Committee on Appropriations
spafs Between Bailey and Reed.
FIFTY MILLIONS FOR DEFENCE
spats Between Bailey and Reed.


patriotism was rampant in the House
to-day, and BY an almost unanimous vote
the Hawley bin. providing for two sddi-
tional 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 forty
minutes allowed under the rules, and be-
I cause it was refused, after the bin had
bean passed he inaugurated filibuster
against District of Columbia legislation
that continued all day.
Mr.. Bailey desired to speak in favor Of
the bill, but could not get the time.
During the day he had several sharp Tits
with Speaker Reed
! Most OF the time was consumed in one
minute speeches. Mr.. Hawley refrained
| from referring to any emergency bill, but
! Mr.. Williams, of Mississippi, referred di-
| rectly to probable war with Spain Every
| expression that might be construed into
a reference TO the support of the govern
ment in a possible crisis was received
with applause.
NECESSITY FOR THE MEN.
Mr.. Hall, in opening the debate, ex-
planned briefly the necessity for these
men TO man. the coast defences OF the
country. BY July LIST, he said, pa big
guns and 232 mortars would be mounted,
476 in ALL These guns required eighteen
men each to handle them. The guns EN-
placed July 1st would require 1000, re-
CARELESS of any exigency that might
arise. Even If no exigency arose, these
men, he insisted, would be necessary 10
care for the fortiflcations and guns, upon
which we We're eXpending millions of
dollars. The charge that this bill was
an attempt to increase the standing army
20 be used possibly 10 overawe the cities,
he said he considered too frivolous to be
noticed.
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 defence as a war mea-
sure, but he argued that the President,
as commander-in-chiefo OF the army. had
authority to detail men from the other
branches OF the service, the cavalry or
infantry and that such details could man
and care for the coast defences without
increasing permanently the standing
army
Mr.. Belknap Republican). of Illinois, n |
son OF ex-Secretary-of-W Belknap and |
Mr.. Mcclellan DemocraO, of New York, |
a son of General Mcclellan, both warmly |
advocated the project in brief speeches, |
and Mr.. Hay OemocraD, of Virginia, |
created the first open enthusiasm by de- !
claring himself in favor of taking every |
step now necessary TO prepare for the |
emergency which confronts the country. |
MR.. JoNEss OBJECTION.
Mr.. Jones Democrat, Of Virginia, the |
other Democrat who opposed the bill, |
insisted that the bill was not a war mea
sure as IT had been recommended for
several years. He claimed that IL made
a radical change in the line of promotion.
He thought If an emergency existed the
present artillery regiments should be re-
cruited up to their full strength. Four
men could thus be added to
that branch of the service without Gre
ating two additional regiments.
Mr.. Shafroth, OF Colorado, caused a
round of applause when he expressed his
regret that single voice should be
raised against such a bill at such time.
There was no denying the fact that our
foreign relations with Spain were on the
Eve Of rupture. War ought to be avert
ID, If possible, but we ought to prepare
It once he said, for every emergency.
Mr.. Williams DemocraO, of Mississippi
said that while his voice was now, as
ever, for peace, it seemed absolutely
certain that Spain was forcing us into
var, to extrcate the reigning family
rom the desperate straits into which she
vas placed by her futile attempts to sub
ugate Cuba. f.
Mr.. Lewis Democrat, Of Washington,
attempted to offer an amendment pro-
libiting the use OF these two regiments to !
uppress strikes. !
The bill was then passed without a
livision.
The great chorus of ayes was Offset by ]
hree voices on the minority side. those !
T Messrs. Cox DemocraO. of Tennessee;
ones Democrat, of Virginia, and Todd [
FusionisD Of Michigan. {
At $40 Il. NJ. the House adjourned. I
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BILL
To-days session of the Senate was de-
oted entirely TO consideration of the !
district Of Columbia appropriation bill.
4 the hour of adjournment the bill had
OF beea disposed OF, and its discussion !
I'M be continued tomorrow.
The bill as it passed the House carried :
j, COO 647. BY the Senate committee the I
were increased l ,469 $50, [
lalIing the total amount of the bill as 5
eported 10 the Senate T076,29S.
MAXIMUM FREIGHT-RATE CASE. |