Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-20
ON THE ARMY BILL
The House Considering Increase Of
Military Establishment.
URGED BY SECRETARY ALGER
Changes Made by the Committees
This Morning.
FOR VOLUNTEERS

There was a tremendous demonstration in
the House Immediately after the reading OF
the Journal. when Maj. Pruden. the Presi-
dents executive clerk, announced the Presi-
dents approval of the Cuban resolutions.
The galleries cheered and the members on
the floor applauded vigorously. The Speaker
with difficulty suppressed the ovation with
which tie announcement was greeted.
The Senate joint resolution authorizing
the printing of extra copies of the military
publications of the War Department was
adopted.
Mr.. HUI chairman of the committee on
military affairs. asked unanimous consent
for the immediate consideration of the bill
he introduced yesterday at the request of
the War Department authorizing the Presi-
dent to call for volunteers. He explained
that the committee had agreed to the meas
urv at a special meeting this morning. 1t
was very urgent measure. he said. The
Secretary OF War had appealed to hin this
morning to press ii. and ne had just hid
n esSaee from the White House saying that
the passage of the bill today was impera-
tive.
Mr.. Hull said that the committee had
made only one important change in the bill
as prepared by the War Department; that
Charge reserved to the governors Of the
state the power to appoint company and
resimental officers, which the bill as drawn
conferred upon the President.
This change is in harmony with the law
oil lS6l-
Changes in the Bill.
The dill was amended in several re-
spects in the committee today before it
reported to TIE House. 1t makes all
the regimental and company officers and
surgeons appointive by the governors of
the states where organized, instead of by the
President: omits the requirement of their
examination as to fitness and capacity.
and where companies. troops, batteries.
battalions or regiments of state militia
" no enlist in the volunteer army in a body.
the resimtntal and company officers are
appontive to the service likewise ny
the governors Section IL of the bill was
amended 30 that ii required that each
ajor general and brigadier general shall
he selected from the line or staff of the
regular or volunteer army. or of the mill
tia in the United States service.
Mr. McMilin CTenn) said he realized the
present Importance Of the measure and he
thought it should be considered in COM
mittee Of the whole.
This agreed to and the House went
irto committee of thu whole to consider it.
Mr.. Savers CTexD criticized the section au-
thorzing the President to appoint the staff
officers subject TO confirmation of the Sen
ate. dut horZing him To assign these Off
Gers from the regular army, the volunteer
officers TN" militia.
Mr.. Hull explained that the committee
had unanimously agreed that presidents
should BE- followed and the governors of
states should retain the power TO appoint
all regimental officers.
The joint resolution passed by Congress
authorizing the President to employ the
militia force of the United States, he said.
would not meet the present situation. He
felt authorized TO say that if We're to
night TINS war II would be with me voluu-
teer and not the militia forces
Mr.. GroSrenor tOhio) suggested, in view
OF our experience during the late war, that
all surgeons should be required 10 keep
complete and perfect records.
Mr. HUI replied that tina: was a matter
OF reg JIla ton. not of leSisa ton.
Mir Hull read tn following telegram,
which ne received from Secretary AIger this
morning: i hope you will introduce your
bill this morning. Time is now very vaiu-
able. ON the whole L am inclined to think
that requiring commissions to be signed by
the President for the militia would be Cause
for action and opposition by the governors,
who naturally might feel that this was TAX
ing some of their power from them. Can
You consistently change that and hasten
Its passage
Refused n Chance TO speak
Mr. johnson UndD at this point attempted
to secure time 10 address the House regard
ing his attitude on the general situation If
war was TO come, he said. he was ready to
support any measure 10 prosecute il to a
successful conclusion. But before hostiities
began he thought the House should Give
MN cnance to speak.
The request met with much opposition
and refused
Mr. Cox rennD, leader of the minority
OF the committee, gave the bill, as modified,
his Endorsement.
In reply 10 question: Mr.. Hull said the
hiii Of 1851 was temporary measure and
Col Sr"s~ was confronted with the alterna-
tive of ra-enactng that temporary law or
placing Il permanent law like the pending
hII or the statute books. Mr.. Hull said
AT the best argument for the enactment
OF permanent law was the fact that the
executive officers of the government were,
row compelled to ask Congress to enact a
law to carry out the will of Congress
Mr. Marsh qil) and Mr.. Sayers Texas,
both expressed the opinion that this meas
ure should be passed forthwith.
We are on the verge of war. The meas
IRE was asked for by the President and the
secretary of War, SAID MIR. Sayers. and
there should be no further quibbling.
Ii WAS finally arranged that general de-
bate should close at 2:lO pm.
M Handy DelD opposed the bill be-
cat - Ii was proposed to pass it as an emer-
geI.cy, and yet was to be 4 permanent en-
acjment-
\ question arose as to whether. under
lation would not be necessary to permit
the President to call ont volunteers.
10 meet this defect Mr.. Lacey offered an
amendment authorizing the President to
raise volunteers when Congress shall have
authorized him TO do when he has
been authorized Ito call into the actual
service Of the United States the militia OF
the several states"
ThS Cuban resolution contains the lat
ter aut hOriZation.
The amendment was adopted
IN THE SENATE
Mr. Allen Introduces a Resolution in