The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-18
AN inefficient ARMY
A Vigorous Attack Upon 1t by
Representative Mcclellan.
SHOULD BE REORGANIZED
Top-Heavy With the Gold Lace of Staff
Ofdcers-Large Price for An Army
Unprepared for War-Lewis
Attacks the Trusts

Washington, an 17-This was Dis
trict of Columbia day in the house, but
only three bills of local Importance
were passed The remainder of the ses-
sion was devoted to further eonsidera-
ton of the army appropriation bill.
The debate was particularly notable
for a vigorous speech by Mr.. Mcclellan
of New York. son of Gen. George b.
Mcclellan. He attacked the present
army organization as obsolete and i'll
efficient. He asserted that we were
woefully unprepared for war. should a
crisis come. and contended for modern
methods in organization. equipment
and supplies which would enapIe the
United States to meet an emergency.
MIR. Lewis of Washington also made a
speech that attracted attention in de-
nunciation of trusts, which he declared
were threatening the liberties of the
country.
The consideration of the army appro-
priation bill was not completed o-aay.
In the course of the general debate Mar.
Griffth (rep., Iowa. defended the pol
icy of retiring army officers on three
quarters pay. The debate was maze
significant by an attack upon the eli-
cheney OF the several branches of the
army by MIR. Mcclellan, tdem., n. Y.)
son of Gen. George b. Mcclellan.
The army. he declared, was little bet
ter than a clumsiiy organized national
police force, topneavy with the gold
lace of staff officers many OF whom
had not seen more active service than
falls to the lot of a member of the po-
lice force. The army should. he de-
ciared, be entirely reorganized. He
said this in no spirit OF JaneoIsm, but
for the purpose OF calling the attention
OF the country TO the facl that we We're
paying a large price for very ineiii-
Gent army, utterly unprepared for war,
while a very small additional exDendi-
ture. with proper reorganization. would
work wonders. MIR. Mcclellan went
into a detailed discussion OF the var-
GUS branches of the service. Our infan-
try formations, he said, would have
been considered excellent in the 18th
century. He criticised particularly the
organization of the cavalry. as indi-
eating the poor quality or condition of
the mounts purchased for the cavalry.
He said we We're each year replacing
20 per cent. of the cavalry horses. while
in Europe, Austria, for instance, but Il
per cent. of the cavalry horses were re-
placed annually. one of the gravest
defects in the present organization, he
said, was the lack of a properly in
structed and competent staff. At the
present rate of accumulated reserve.
ne SAID, In five years we would only
have enough ammunition to supply the
IL
OF the battle of Gettysburg.
Mr.. Lewis (dem., Wash.) made Wig
orous speech against any increase of
the army. He created something of an
innovation by taking his position in the
area in front OF the speakers rostrum
and speaking to the house face TO face
as to a congregation. He charged that
the trusts were in control of the couB-
try and constituted the mailed hand of
power behind the courts. II the army
cod b..
said, be justified in asking whether it
was not to be used to barricade the
courts and break down everything that
means the freedom of government.
He differed, he said. from the leader
Mr.. Bryan, whose cause he had fol-
lowed. He was not willing to subscribe
to the idea that free silver was the
single end to be fought for. There was
necessity, he said, for a return to the
true democracy which had for its end
the freedom OF the individual as an in
dividual.
MIR. Lewis quoted telegram which
he said Senator Hanna had received
from Frankfort, Germany, signed by A
Seligman, as follows: Il congratulate
you on your election; il is most salts
factory to me-" That message, he said.
came from the man who helped To place
a mortgage on this government Of
$200eoo,000. Its insolence. he said had
no parallel in history save in the mes
sage sent by Pontius PLATE to the exc
cutioner OF Jesus Christ, congratulating
him that his work was we'll done.
MIR. Grosyenor interrupted to ask Ii
Mr.. Lewis was aware that Mr. Selig-
man was an American citizen.
. i am" responded Mr.. Lewis. He is
an unpatriotic American citizen" Gap
plause on the democratic side).
Mr.. Grosyenor recalled the fact that
Mr. Seligman, with the credit of his
house, rendered invaluable aid TO the
union cause during the war. To this
Mr. Lewis replied with the statement
that Mr.. Seligman had removed his res
idence from this country at a time when
he feared the income tax would compel
him to pay his share to support the
government He is the last man."
said he, whom l should take pride in
calling an American citizen"
Mr.. Hull lrep., Iowa., chairman of
the committee on military affairs, ex-
pressed concurrence in the views of Mr.
Mcclellan to the extent that he be-
Heved that the army should be reor-
ganized, as the present organization
was obsolete. The discussion of the
needs -of the army was continued by
.Messrs. Wheeler dem, Ala. Clark
tdem., MOI, Cox dem, Tenn.), Marsh
lrep., ND, and others.
Without completing the bill the COM
mittee arose. and at $40 p. m. the house
adjourned.
AN IITTEp IMpncctpItITN