Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-09
55th CONGRESS.
Continued from page ~

arises, replied McRae. We are OPP
posed to a large standing army and we
are opposed to holding the volunteers
to perform the duty of regulars and be
used as a club to force us ITO create a
large standing army. Let re-organiza-
ton of the army come in the regular
way"
COX, DEM, Tenn. supported the Nc
Rae amendment, as did Bland.
HemlnWay said he could not under
stand how gentlemen could desire the
mastering out of the volunteers until
standing army was provided large
enough to properly govern our new pos
sessions.
Dockery. Dem. Mo-. did not believe
the pending bill could possibly be con-
strued to modify the volunteer act. If
any OF its provisions did so. point of
order would lie against them.
underwood. DEM, Ala, asserted that
the volunteers who enlisted did so with
the understanding that they would be
mustered out as soon as hostilities
ceased and since hostilities had ceased
there had been daily average Of 500
applications for discharge. He was OPP
posed to keeping men in the field who
volunteered for patriotic purposes. II
an increase in the regular army was
found to be necessary he stood ready to
vote for it. But an increase should not
be forced through under the threat that
unless it was granted the volunteers
would be kept in the field.
Fleming, Dem, Ga, declared that tho
volunteers had enlisted under the
Dlnf11iCa that fhoxy would ha nj on.p
when the war was over. He could moi
understand why the chairman of the
appropriations committee should OPP
pose the McRae amendment whlcn
simply provided that nothing in the
pending bill should construe or modify
the act of April 3D.
Cannon said he saw no good purpose
that would be subserved by it's incor-,
poration. 1t would simply give some
gentleman on the other side an oppor-
tunity to flap their wings and proclaim
with sound and fury their friendship
for the volunteer. CLaughter).
General debate on the bill was thei
| closed upon Cannon's motion and the
bill was read for amendment under the
five minute rule.
Cannon offered committee amend.
ment for the emergency fund of 81, 900,
600 for the war department. He said l.
| was impossible to foresee what con-
tingencies might and probably would
arise in the next six months. Al
emergency fund of $l,000.000 was pro
| vided for the navy bill. The amend
ment was adopted
| King, Dem, Utah, offered an amend
| ment to limit the appropriation of the
pay of the volunteers to the period
prior to Marsh 81, 1899. He thought it
the imperative duty of the President It
| muster out the volunteers as soon az
peace was declared. The amendnen.
was lost, without division.
Allen, Dem, Miss. offered an amend.
ment providing that the money appro-
priated in the bill for the pay of volun-
| teers should not be available longe:
than 3 months after ratification OF q
| treaty of peace. 1t was defeated. 81
| to Il.
| On motion of Cannon, several com
mittee amendments We're added. The
appropriation for the current expenses
| of the ordnance was recommended from
| $4,000 to 100000; for the manufactur,
of metallic ammunition, workmen $
medals, insignia, etc, from 100000 It
| 100000 for the purchase and manu-
| facture of ordnance stores. from S62
900 to $250,000; for infantry, cavalry anc
artillery equipment from 100000 tC
| $l50,000 and for the manufacture OF
arms and at national armories. etc.
from s2T5,000 to $325.000. These in
| creases, Cannon explained. had been
| recommended by the chief of the ord
nance department.
| Sherman, Rep, n. Y, offered an
| amendment to allow the chairman of
| the House committee private clerks IN
! addition to their committee clerks. The
amendment was ruled out on point OF
order.
An amendment to dispense with the
was agreed to.
Cannon then accepted the McRea
amendment. Without further amend
ment the bill was reported to the House
and passed without division.
Cannon moved that when the House
adjourned, today, it be until Monday
next, explaining that the adjournment
would give the committees an oppor-
tunity to work. The motion was
| agreed to.
A conference report on the bill re-
lated to the bonds of consuls. vice con
suls and consular agents was adopted
At APO p. M, the House adjourned