The National tribune., 1898-04-14

n expectation Of the receipt OF the Presi-
ent's Message. The galleries of the Sen
tie were cleared OF the disappointed
rowds while Senator Davis, in Executive
eSsion, explained the delay in sending
he important document.
Consideration OF the Sundry Civil bill
Tas resumed.
An amendment, which was practically a
FAR measure, was proposed by MIR. Pettus,
# Alabama. Ii provided an appropriation
If $500 000 10 be Immediately available for
he improvement OF Mobile Bay. in order
hat warships and their barges might
each the wharyes Of Mobile To obtain coal
md supplies. Mr.. Pettus and Mr.. Morgan
made an appeal for the amendment as d
measure really necessary as a matter OF
National! defense.
Mr.. Allison said he was opposed TO max
ing river and harbor act out of the Sum
iry Civil bill. He said other amendments
aad been offered which might be regarded
as war measures. II" suggested that all
such amendments should he submitted To
The proper committee. Meantime he asked
that the bill be laid aside, and the whole
question went over.
From the House. which was even more
crowded II possible than the Senate. a
disappointed throng also went away. The
Army reorganization bill was considered.
Mr. Hull explained he features and pur-
poses Of the bill and the advantages OF the
proposed battalion formation. Our pres
emf formation, he said, was absolutely OBJ
solete, and il would be murder to require
the Amy Of the United States 10 go into
battle under The present law. The deadly
character Of modern firearms made am
open formation absolutely necessary.
Mr.. Marsh IN, RI Endorsed the main
features of the hill, but expressed his
company Of $50 men under the new forma-
ton.
Mr.. Robbins PA. r. opposed the bill
because he believed IL was inimical TO the
volunteer service Of the United States. In
time Of war the VOLUNTEER forces. he thought,
ought to do the fighting. The Regular
Army should not be increased, as was
proposed in this bill to 10i 600.
The main argument used against the
bi!l was that, in case OF war, the National
Guard and volunteer forces could supply
the troops necessary above the Regular
Army Of 26.h00. This WAS met with the
contention that. as e-quartcT 81 the cx-
banded regiments would be Regulars they
would be ready for real service in a much
shorter time than the volunteer forces
could be. An amendment was offered 20
reduce the size OF the companies from $50
to 2G0.
In the Senate on April I. the Sundry
tivil bill was taken up. the question being
upon AN amendment offered by Mr.. Pettus.
o. Alabama. TO appropriate $500 900 for the
improvement OF Mobile Iiarbor in or
der that warships might reach the wharyes
to coal and 10 receive other supplies. II
had been pressed by the Alabama Senators
as an emergency war measure.
Mr.. Morgan made Il sharp attack uDon
the Appropriations Committee. charging
that the Committee exercised too great
power.
Mr.. Allison, in charge Of the bill said the
rule 10 exclude this amendment was en-
urely proper. He had been given TO under
stand. he said that If this amendment
were adopted other similar amendments.
all based upon the idea OF National de-
tense, would be offered. This would omen
up the entire field Of river and harbor i'm
proVemcntS.
Mr.. Morgan urged the advantages OF
opening the coal fields OF the South by the
Improvements suggested in the pending
amendment. The Government would thus
be enabled 10 obtain its coal in any GUAM
titles at reasonable rates near the theater
OF action i'm case Of hostiliiies.
Il do not know, Mr.. President, whether
war is coming or not" said he Il have
never myself done anything that might
involve this country III war but it seems
10 me That the sworn testimony now he
lore the Senate is sufficiently strong TO
compel US 10 strike in defense of the honor
ana dignity OF the country and in memory
ol our dead seamen in the mud of Havana
hafDoF. ana willing 10 vote for a declara-