The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-16
The SENATE AND HOUSE
The Nicaragua Canal Bin displaced BY the
Urgent Deficiency BIN.
the MASTERING OUT OF the VOLUNTEERS
Senators Think Married Men Should
ne Heieased-Honsc Passes PEN
sion Biii In a Rush.

washington, December f5.--The urrent
aenciency appropriation bill. making mr.
VISION Tor the army and navy for the next
OK months, displaced the Nicaragua canal
osii In the senate today, preventing even
the taking OF n vote on the question ,-
postponemcnt until after the HOLIDAYS ms
uaa oeen INTENDED. The deficiency bin was
passed after spirited discussion. turnlnr
principally on the point of keeping the vol
unteer soldiers In tile service.
The senate decided on assembling to8,v
to take a recess from 80 to $3.50 clock 10
PERMIT senators to attend the funeral OF
Mrs. Bright wife Of the sergeant at arms
OF tho senate.
mr.. vest made a brief personal explana-
ion, me purport OF which was that he had
received letter from Attorney General
Griggs denying that at a banquet in New
iorK ne had, as quoted. expressed the
opnlon that the constitution made for
thirteen half-developed colonies could not
reasonably be expected to meet the demands
OF the greatest Nation In the world
Mr.. Morgan presented a memorial from
toe National board OF trade favorable to
the construction OF tho Nicaragua canal.
asking that the document be printed in the
Congressional Record
MT. Allen objected and the objection
proved the basis OF an animated discussion
involving the rules OF the senate as well as
the wisdom OF the construction OF the canal.
Mr.. Morgan accepted the objection as an
attempt at ohstructing The measure TO
build the canal
Mr., Allen resented this imputation. say.
Ing that he was favorable to tho canal ON
general principles, although advocating
government ownership He predicted that
the canal would cost $500. 900. o0o
without determining the mooted point
raised by Mr.. Allen. the senate took I'D
the urgent deficiency appropriation bill.
MT Cockrell addressed the senate in re-
gard to the mastering out of the volunteer
soldiers, large majority of whom, he said
wanted to be mustered and and many OF
whom were making sacrifices by remaining
IN the service. On the othnr hand, the Of
ficers who were finding the service more
profitable than the priyates. Ind In many
cases refused to forward applications for
discharge. He thought in such cases tho
war department should exercise some dis
cretion In the interest Of the private and
be more lenient with the enlisted men.
Replying MIR. Hale said he had no doubt
hat the rank and file of the army abroad
aad q great desire to return home and he
the cpinicn that they should be
allowed to do So He expressed the opn-
on that affairs would soon take such shape
hat the services of the volunteers could be
dispensed with.
Mr.. German proceeded to warn the coun-
ny against the etlcroachnpent of the mill
AIRY element Naturally the army officer
wanted TO preserve his own Importance
nd maintain his employment, but there
vas no reason why the citizen should not
ealously guard his own rights.
Mr.. Alien expressed sympathy with the |
esire to have large number of the vol
unteers mustered out. but be considered II |
Wise to follow the wishes Of the president
nd the military authorities III this mat
err. He was sure there was no purpose to |
.eep the extra force longer than abso- |
utely necessary. The fact must not De |
ost sight of that our affairs in Cuba Were |
n transitional state and unier the cir
umstances with large number of Span
ards left in the island nothing was 20
robahle as disturbances. We had agreed
0 maintain order in Cuba during the I'M
ettied period. and while we hoped this
eriud would not hong continue, he for one
ro,Ild not consent to so reduce OUR forces
S to not be able to fulfill our pledge.
MIR. Money said his experience hal rot
cen the same as either senator's. who
,,ind reginental anil company officers I'M
filling to esaiat their men to get out OF
ne army service. but on the contrary thty |
ere generally anxious TO aid them. lie /
loargiht married men should generally be
slieyed from the service.
The urgent deficiency bill was then
assed.
AT the instance of Mr.. Harris the senate
dopted resolution calling on the posi-
emit for information as to the Status OF
ie report of the Nicaragua canal com
ittee.
The senate then went into executive SEES.
on and at 5:O3 D. M, adjourned until
fonday |