Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-09
THE VOLUNTEER ARMY
What Disposition is Now to Be
Made Of It?
POSITION OF DEMOCRATS,
ODDositiOn to Using Volunteers to Force
Creation Of Large Standing Army.
PENSION EVIL IN THE SENATE.

WASHINGTON. D. c.. December s.
rn- urrent deficiency bill To provide for
.t support of the military and naval os-
t.rrsamtnts was passed by the House
to-day. practically without opposition. A
s.r had been expressed that the mea-
s-s might open up a prolonged debate
mon the conduct Of the war. but the
r.urcr8tic leaders concluded that such
debate would properly come later upon
,r- regular appropriation bills. or upon
the bin for the reorganization Of the
army. There was not a word OF criti
e.m o. the war during the debate. The
or,v point upon which an issue was
raised to-day was as TO whether the bill,
y-sud.ng as it did for the pay of the
volunteers until July /. 1899. might not
be- construed as modification Of the law
under which the volunteers were mus
tered into service.
3,- McRae, Of Arkansas. offered an
amendment providing that 1t should not
o, So construed, and upon this there was
e. general discussion as TO the advisabili5y
Oh mastering the volunteers Oul htApiG
the regular army was increased.
Ar. cannon finally accepted the McRae
amendment, and that removed the only
shadow Of opposition to the bill.
A number OF amendments were adopted,
uu the recommendation of the Appro-
lrat0us Committee. which received some
supplemental estimates after the bill was
% IN,
stem OF S3OJJO00 for an emergency fund
10. the War Department and $57S9O0 for
tta Ordnance Department, increasing the
amount carried by the bill to $3.50 S92
WHAT SHALL BE DONE WITH
THEM?
When the bill was first called up, Mr..
Underwood Democrat, Of Alabama, in
tsrrUlated Nr. Cannon the chairman of
The Appropriations Committee with a
view t1 securing a statement as TO the
disposition 90 De made of the volunteer
army.
SIT. Cannon said the treaty Of peace had
not been ratified. 1t might be ratified in
january; lt might not be ratified for
months 80 one could tell what was in
t.Gt of us We must deal with the
present situation. The volunteer army
might De mustered out and its place taken
ty tae regular army. That was a mat
t.- tur the future 10 decide, but he felt
confident that the Treasury would be
r-l enough and Congress wise enough
o. meet any emergency.
Ar Slyers Democrat, of Texas. the
ranking member Of the Appropriations
Committee. gave his unqualified endorse
n.a- @, the BILL 1t did not affect in any
Fag. hs said, legislation regarding the
Volunteer OF regular army.
Ar. Livingston Democrat, OF Georgia,
4 supporting the bill. expressed the opin-
.9l That the law under which the vol
lltea-5 were mustered into service was
subject 90 double construction as to the
Lma when they should be mustered out.
4a-t law said they should be mustered
ol, when the purpose for which they
We're enlisted had been accomplished or
N--- nos.ities had ceased He believed,
l. ,ae President were disposed to keep
i-e volunteers In the service until the
regular army had been reorganized. this
0.-. aDproprlaung money for their pay
Dtll would strengthen his hands.
INJUSTICE TO VOLUNTEERS.
AE McRae DemocraD. Of Arkansas.
f-.- l-,re was no purpose on his side OF
""7 house 90 oppose the appropriations in
'-e DID, but he did not believe that its
tssise should be construed as in any
way H.rteung with the act creating the
'O-l.etr army. He said he would not
.-'- presented the amendment above re-
-''i. ia. which was finally adopted, had II
.'. been Tor the Presidents declaration
' lH mess age that he would muster out
.1e volunteer army as soon as the regu-
"' Hnl,s hment was increased. 1t was
unjust 10 the volunteers TO hold them in
'. n.ce when Congress had given a
Solemn pledge that they should be mus
... olt as soon as the war ended.
EeiFns 10 "a question by Mr.. Cannon,
ar Nctae said: I'VE are opposed TO
anaIng army, and we are opposed
' t...ns the volunteers 20 perform the
.-. o- regulars and be used as a club
l.i.e us 10 create a large standing
..A.. Let reorganization Of the army
',.- ODD the regular way"
-r underwood asserted that the volun-
'.eH Who enlisted did so with the under
t,-A.hs that they would be mustered
V.- soon as hOstilites ceased, and
.e hostiiues had ceased there had
.H daily average Of 800 applications
..i discharge lie was opposed TO keep
is i1en in the field who volunteered for
IN..olc purposes He. as well as his
elt. received letters every day
l't.ns tho discharge Of the writer's. If
increase I'm the regular army was
.'-Al To- De necessary. he stood ready TO
'o.. Tor b. But an increase should not
'- iof.ed through under the threat that
it was granted the volunteers
".-.- Doc kept IN the field.
PROMISE TO VOLUNTEERS.
~f Fleming Democrat, Of Georgia,
afl that the volunteers had enlisted
lae promise that they would be
'aIfcd when the war was over.
I't Din was then passed.
ir conference report upon the bill 70
"Ni-r the sureues OF consuls vice-con-
.-+. ana consular agents liable for dam
'.s in suits al law was adopted.
iha House adjourned over until Mon
eal 10 give the committees an oppor-
unity 10 work without interruption.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
4l The opening of to-day's session Of
'' senate II was decided that the ad-
"fnment to-day be until Monday next.
~ was also determined 90 give one
H-.r " to-day's session 10 the conside-
'.uon OF pension bills.
IN connection with the consideration