Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-24
WASHINGTON CITY.
Everybody Enthusiastic Over Prepare
lions for Conflict.
THE TWO ARMY MEASURES
Thew Are Generally Satisfactory and
Considered Necessary.
LEE TO Be MAJOR GENERAL,
Fred Grant and Teddy Roosevelt
Also TO Be Of This Grade.
RICHMOND As A RENDEZVOUS,

scamp Lees" Again Becoming
Point for the Mobilization 81
Troops-Other Notes.
WASHINGTON. D. c.. April &.-(Spe
claI)-washingto is literally decorated
with patriotic war-paint. She Is oedech
ed with flags and bunting from Overlooh
Inn 10 Cabin John, and from tic bound
airy on the north to the Potomac on the
south. Military companies are paradihs'
bands are playing, recruiting Is acuVey
going on, large crowds are cheering ana
reading the newspaper bnletins. and
everybody is enthusiastic and warlike.
The District. under the call, Will contri-
butte about 500 volunteers. but there are
a good many men enlistng here In the
regular army and navy who wiz in
crease the fighting quota from the ma
tons capital 10 probably 1000. all told
Many men in the departments are giving
UP good positions paying $3.50 and $500
per annum TO tight for their country at
other army rations. the conditions being
that they are 10 be reinstatcd when the
war is over.
All the interest now centres in the army
and the preparation for operations by
tho land forces Of the United States.
The volunteer bin has passed. IS signed
and the call has been made. and the
army reorganization bill IS under con-
sideraton.
VOLUNTEER ARMY BILL.
Speaking on this subject. Representa-
tive Hay, a member Of the House Com
mittee on Military Affairs, who has taken
great interest in army matters. said:
1.-THE bill, which has already been
passed. and has been signed by the
President, and which IS known as the
volunteer army bill. is accepted by the
entire membership of Congress as being
the best measure possible. IL gives 10
the state troops all they asked ior' the
governors OF the States appoint all DILL
GERS from colonel down; men enlist Tor
two years. or until the termination OF
the war The bill guarantees that state
troops organized as such shdh not be
detached or separated from thelr COM
mands. Congress has carefully guarded
al! the rights of the State troops, and
mas by the passage u lAiS b4lA S4lS"A+ 49,
confidence IN the volunteers.
ARMY REORGANIZATION BILL
"The army reorganization bill passed
the House to-day. This measure IN
creases the army IN time Of war 10
about 1900 enlisted men and %i extra
officers. IL provides Tor the immediate
mastering out OF the service OF these
officers and men i'm excess Of the regular
quota Of the standing army in time Of
peace The desired increase has been
made in the artillery and infantry arms
of the service. The increase I'm the in
fantry arm was absolutely necessary TO
carry into effect the three-battahon or
ganization, which is conceded TO be essen
TALLY required. In the artillery arm the
increase IL made imperative because the
fortifications on the coasts must be adc-
ouately manned IL the safety OF our cities
and coasts is 20 be regarded when me-
naced by "a hostile fleet.
The bill. i think, viii DE satisfactory
10 the country. There as some DOUBT eA-
pressed as TO the ability Of tie United
States officers 10 get recruits to IN the
companies. but it is hoped there viii be
no trouble about this. The bin is com
panion bin To- the volunteer measure
because the two branches OF the service
must have the same formation.
LEE AS MAJOB-GENEHAi.
The semi-ofHc!al announcement that
Fitz Lee will be commissioned major
general In the United States army is
greeted everywhere with enthusiastic ap-
nroval The appointment would have
been sent 10 the Senate to-day but for
the adjournment of that body immodi-
ately after the ceremonies attending the
funeral Of Senator Walthau. II Will pro-
badly be sent in on Monday with mum
Der of others authorized by the volunteer
bill. The belief here Is that General Lee
will be assigned TO the command of
corps, and probably the largest one IN
the new army.
II is rumored that Fred. Grant and
s'Teddy' Roosevelt will be made major
generals instead of brigadiers
RICHMOND A RENDEZVOUS.
Richmond is 10 be one of the points
for the mobilization OF volunteer troops.
Governor Tyler to-day wired Represen-
tative Swanson TO see the entire Nir-
yinia delegation, and urge them 10 use
their influence with the President and
Secretary OF War. in order to secure the
selection OF Richmond for this purpose.
Mr.. Swanson lost no time in procuring
the cooperation OF his colleagues
All NirginanS here endorse the edi-
torial In tho Dispatch, favoring old
"Camp Lee" as peculiarly appropriate
place for the mobilization OF a portion Of
The volunteer troops called TO arms to-
DAY by the President.
Efforts are being made TO have Wash
lngton made q point for the cOncentra-
zion Of troops, but there is no place
this side OF the Potomac where troops
could be comfortably camped or
manoeuvred.
NORFOLK NAVY-YARD.
In addition to the usual appropriations
for salaries, minor repairs etc, the bill
for the naval service for the fiscal year
ending June 80. 1899 contains the follow
Ing important items for the Norfolk navy
yard:
Toward enlargement of electric plant
and concentration OF steam $4,000: eN-
.ension OF quay wall $1,000. ship-ntter's
SHOP, at new dry-dOck construction and
repaiT, $4,000 extending railroad tracks
for travelling crane, $4,000, steel stand
pipe (2IVWO gallons), $1,000; grading and
pavinB 60 continue), $4,000, in all, $4,000
The Secretary of the Navy is hereby
authorized and directed 10 cause to be
commenced, within three months after
the passage OF this act, and the Attor-
ney-General is hereby directed TO carry
ON, proceedings tor the condemnation OF
Inc following tract OF land for the use
OF the United States Tor the Norfolk
navy-yard, for the purpose OF construct
ing wet-dock, and for other purposes-
namely. the tract OF land known as the
Cedar Grove property, containing 0ftv
a. "a "A