The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-09

Mr.. McRae. democrat of Arkansas. gave
notice that at the proper time he would
offer an amendment declaring that nothing
in the pending bill should construe, extend
or modify section 4. of the act of April %
creating the volunteer army. He said he
would not have pressed this amendment
had it not been for the presidents dcclara-
ton in his message that he would muster
out the volunteer army as soon as the regu-
lar enlistment was increased. 1t was UNI
just to the volunteers to hold them in the
service when congress had given the sol
emn pledge that they Should be mustered
out as soon as the war ended. He believed
1t was the purpose of the president to hold
the volunteers until large standing army
was provided.
The Present Emergency
THE army, on peace footing, numbers
but 26,00O," interposcd Mr.. Cannon. docs
the gentleman and his side of the house
stand ready to support bill to increase
that@army to meet the necessities of the
government in its present emergency and
those which confront it?"
we will meet that question when 1t
arises" replied Mr.. McRae. I'VE are OPP
posed to holding the volunteers to perform
the duty of regulars and be used as club
TO force us to create a large standing army.
Let reorganization of the army come in
the regular way"
Mr.. Cox dem, of TENN commended that
titled to their discharge the moment hos
tilities ceased. He supported the McRae
amendment, as did Mr. Bland.
Mr.. DeArmond dem, of MOI advocated
the adoption of the McRae amendment.
The president, he said, could not transform
the volunteers into uniformed policemen
II congress, in its wisdom, decided other
wise. The whole question was a mere
bubble as to whether the universal under
standing of the 100000 men who had en-
listed that they should be discharged when
hostilities ceased was now to be aban-
doned and the volunteers held to do police
duty in d. fferent parts of the world.
General debate upon the bill was then
closed upon Mr.. Cannons motion and the
bill was read for amendment under the
five minute rule.
Mr.. Cannon offered a committee amend
ment for an emergency fund of $1,000 900
for the war department.. He said it was
impossible to foresee what contingencies
might and probably would arise In the next
six months. An emergency fund of 81, Co.,
goo was provided for the navy in the bill.
The amendment was adopted.
Mr.. Allen dem, of Miss) offered an
amendment providing that the money ap-
propriated in the bill for the pay of vol
unteers should not be available longer than
three months after ratification of treaty
of peace. 1t was defeated-I to H.
Committee Amendments
On motion of Mr.. Cannon several COM
mlttee amendments We're adopted. Appro-
pration for the ordnance service current
expenses was increased from $4,000 to $780,
600; for the manufacture of metallic am
munition, marksmens medals, Insignia
ETC., from 100000 to 100000; for the pur-
chase and manufacture of ordnance stores
from 100000 to $250,000; for infantry, cav
airy and artillery equipment from 100000 to
S150,000 and for the manufacture of arms
at national armories etc., from s275,0OO to
1925, 000 These increases, Mr.. Cannon ex-
planned, had been recommended by the
chief of ordnance.
Mr.. Cannon then accepted the McRae
amendment Without further amendment
tie bill was reported to the house and
passed without division.
Mr. Cannon moved that when the house
adjourn today it be until Monday next,
explaining that the adjournment would
give the committee an opportunity to work.
The motion was agreed to.
A conference report on the bill relating
to the bonds of consuls, vice consuls and
consular agents was adopted.
At 4:20 p. m. the house adjourned until
Monday.