The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-08
ARTILLERY BILL rs PASSED
Wave of Patriotism Strikes the
uouse-ouIy Three Votes


patriotism vas rampant IN tire house to-
day. ard hy almost a unanimous vote the
Havgiey bin. providing for two additional
regiments os artillery. was passed under
suspension O. the rules No effort WIS
made 10 obssruct action. but Bailey. the
Democratic leader. pleaded for more time
than the forty minutes allowed under the
rule and because II was refused, after the
bin had been passed. he inaagurated fill
buster against the District OF Columbia
legislation that continued. Bailey desired
10 sreak In favor OF the bill. but did not
get the time
Hall. in opening the debate. explained
briefly the necessity for these men 10 man
the coast deferses Of the country. BY
July /. be said. 81 big guns and 81 NOR
tars would be mounted. These guns re-
ouirea eighteen men each 70 handle them.
and IN time OF war sixty. There were
4oz5 artIHerymen all told In the service.
The guns emplaced July ] would require
Teoa. regardless OF any exigency that
might arise. Ever If no exigeney arose
these men. he Insisted, would be necessary
TO care for the fortifications and guns up
on which we were expanding millions OF
dollars. The charge that this bin was
an attempt TO Increase the standing army,
10 be used possibly 10 overawe the cities.
ne said. he considered too frivolous 10 dis
cuss
Cox. in opposing the bill. said he would
vote as cheerfuIiy as any man in the
house for this bill. II 1t were needed for the
national defense as q war measure, but
ne argued that the president, as COM
fnanaer in chief Of the army. had author
fly 10 detail men from the other branches
OF the service. the cavalry and infantry,
and that such details could man and care
for the coast defenses without increasing
permanently the standing army.
BeIlnap OF Illinois. a son of ex-Secretary
Of war Belknap. and Mcclellan OF New
York. son OF Gen. Mcclellan. both warm
" advocated the passage of the bill in
brief speeches.
Hay Of Virginia created the first open
enthusiasm by declaring himself in favor
OF taking every step necessary now to pre-
pare for the emergency which confronts
the country.
Jones OF Virginia, who opposed the bill,
insisted that IL was not a war measure. as
It had been commended for several years.
Shafroth Of Colorado caused a round OF
applause when he expressed his regret
that a single voice should be raised
against such a bill at such a time. There
Al r.. e.
relations with Spain were on the eve of
4 rupture. War ought TO be averted II
possible but we ought TO prepare at once.
he said. for every emergency.
Williams OF Mississippi said that while
his voice was now, as ever. for peace. II
seemed absolutely certain that Spain was
forcing us into war to ex.ricate the reign
ing family from the q rate straits in
which II was placed hy her futile at
tempts 10 subjugate Cuba. lie had been
for Cuban beliEerency ana Cuban indie
pendeuce. and II war was to come as a
result Of our sympathy for those who are
struggling for their freedom. he would not
refuse TO give his vote to any measure de-
sleued 10 prepare Us 20 meet the enemy.
The zine for debate expired at this
time. and Bailey. who had not been able
20 set the floor asked for unanimous con-
sent for three minutes. Hepburn OF Iowa
objected.
Lewis Of Washington attempted TO offer
an amendment prohibiting the use Of these
two regiments % suppress strikes.
Then bin was then passed without Ill
vision.
The great chorus OF ayes was offset By
three voices oa the minority side. Cox
Of Tennessee. Jones OF Virginia and Todd
Of Michigan.
The District n Columbia bin was then
taken up. and Bailey. as a method of re-
sentng the refusal TO accord him the
privilege - addressing the house on the
artillerr bill. inaugurated a nubuster.
Roll call followed roll cail for TIVE hours
When the confusion On the floor became
such that The order was called for. the
speaker requested all members to take
;heir seats Bailey retained his place On
the floor. Again the speaker requested
"a mhers 20 take their seats.
II take nay seat." said Bailey. because
the rules of she house require t."
The speaker exercises no authority ex-
eept that conferred by the rules" said
the speaker.
We holds no authority ard expects
none"
There were several exchanges after that.
after ere ~ whseh Bailey. TO the accom-
ranimeet q Republican teers and Demo