The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-04-22
: WHAT CONGRESS DID,
Senate PASSES Important War areaaurel
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Senate Passes Important War areaaures,
and House. Follows Suit.
WASHINGTON, April 2l.-Three i'm
portant measures were passed by the
senate this afternoon, all OF which re-
late largely to the national defence. The
sundryy civil bill which has been pend
ing for two weeks and which carries
large amount OF money intended to be
used in the Strengthening OF the coun-
try's coast defences, was finally passed.
The naval appropriation bill was imme.
diately taken up and practically COM
pleted, although pending the discussion
of an amendment concerning the price
OF armor plate, the bill was displaced In
order that the measure temporarily In
creasing the military establishment of
the United States In the time of war
might be considered. After. long dis
cusslon OF the bill as amended by the
committee, 1t was passed. A joint rcso-
lutinn was adopted giving the President
power to prevent the exploration Of coal
End other war material. .s
Just before adjourning it became
known among senator's on the floor that
Senator Walthall, Of Mississippi, who
has been IN for several weeks, was dead.
The formal announcement OF his death
was not made. but will be made when
the senate convenes tomorrow.
The consideration OF the contested
election cases Patterson VS.. Carmichael
from the Ninth Tennessee district, was
interruptedln in the house to allow passage
OF the joint resolution to authorize che
President in his discretion to prohibit
the expectation OF coal and other war
material. The measure Is considered Of
vital Importance to prevent the ship
ment OF coal to Cuba, Porto Rican and
other ports where It could be used by
Spain. The speaker signed It just be-
fore the house adjourned.
< The contested election case Is some
thing OF a novelty because both contest
ants are Democrats. Mr.. Patterson,
however. was affiliated in the last cam
paign with the gold Democrats and Re-
publicans. The Democrats displayed
considerable bitterness. They fought
the consideration OF the case and with
the aid of some Republicans almost sue
ceeded in defeating It. The vote will be
taken tomorrow at o'clock. d.
Representative Hull OF Iowa, chair
man Of the house committee on military
affairs, reported back to the house to-
day the army reorganization bill with
number OF amendments. Ut gives
eighty-four instead of 100 privates to
each infantry company and makes this
Important proviso, authorizing the call
for troops: Provided, that in the event of
a call by the President for either volun-
tcers or the militia Of the country, the
President Is authorized to accept the
quotas OF troops Of the various states
and territories, including the District of
Columbia, as organized under the laws
OF the state and territories, Including the
District OF Columbia.
The committee says as now presented
the bill authorizes the twenty-five reg
iments of infantry to be recruited up to
n total Of $500 enlisted men, the re-
cruitment Of the ten cavalry regiments
to 1900 enlisted men, the seven regi-
ments OF artillery to a total OF 16,457
men. and the engineer battalion OF five
companies to 752 enlisted men, making
total maximum strength OF 61,0lo en-
listed men. q ~ is5.. ss