Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-21
ON THE ARMY BILL
The House Considering Increase Of
Military Establishment.
URGED BY SECRETARY ALGER
Changes Made by the Committees
This Morning.
PROVIDING FOR VOLUNTEERS

There was a tremendous demonstration in
the House Immediately after the reading OF
the journal, when Maj. Pruden, the Presi-
dents executive clerk. announced the Presi-
dents approval of the Cuban resolutions.
The galleries cheered and the members on
the floor applauded vigorously. The Speaker
with difficulty suppressed thu ovation with
which the announcement was greeted.
The Senate joint resolution authorizing
the printing of extra copies of the military
publications of the War Department was
adopted.
Mr.. Hull, chairman of the committee on
military affairs. asked unanimous consent
for the immediate consideration of the bill
he introduced yesterday at the request of
the War Department authorizing the Presi-
dent to call for volunteers. He explained
that the committee had agreed to the meas
ure at a special meeting this morning. 1t
Vas a very urgent measure, he said. The
Secretary of War had appealed to him this
morning to press it. and he had just had a
Message from the White House saying that
the passage of the bill today impera-
tive.
Mr.. Hull said that the committee had
made only one important change in the bill
as prepared by the War Department.; that
Change reserved to the governors of the
Tegimental officers, which the bill as drawn
conferred upon the President.
This change is in harmony with the law
of ISL.
Changes in the Bill.
The Dill was amended in several re-
spects in the committee today before it
was reported to the House. 1t makes all
the regimental and company officers and
surgeons appointive by the governors of
the states where organized instead of by the
President; omits the requirement of their
examination as to fitness ard capacity,
and where companies, troops, batteries.
battalions or regiments of state militia
no enlist in the volunteer army in body.
the regimental and company officers are
appointive to the new service likewise by
the governors. Section IL of the bill was
amended so that it required that each
major general and brigadier general shall
be selected from the line or staff of the
regular or volunteer army. or of the mill
tia in the United States service.
Mr.. McMillin CTenn.) said he realized the
present Importance Of the measure and he
thought it should be considered in COM
uiittee of the whole.
This was agreed to and the House went
into committee of the whole to consider it.
Mr.. Sayers TexD criticized the section
thorizing the President to appoint the staff
officers subject to confirmation of the SEN
ate. or authorizing him to assign these Off
GERS from the regular army, thu volunteer
officers or the militia
Mr.. Hull explained that the committee
had unanimously agreed that precedcnts
should be followed and the governors of
states should retain the power to appoint
all reSimental officers.
The joint resolution passed by Congress
authorizing the President to employ the
militia force of the United States he said,
would not meet the present situation. He
felt authorized to say that if we were to
fight this war 1T would be with me volun-
-.4.se MT not r.,iIt 10
Mr. Grosvenor (OhioJ suggested in view
OF our experience during the late war, that
all surgeons should be required TO keep
complete and perfect records.
Mr.. HUI! replied that thai was a matter
of reg Llation. not of legislation.
MIR. Hull read the following telegram
which lie received from Secretary Alger this
morninS: Il hope you will introduce Your
bill this morning Time is now very valu-
able ON the whole l am inclined to think
that requiring commissions to be signed by
the Pr -stdent for the militia would be Cause
for action and opposition by the governors
VINO naturally might feel that this was tax
ing some of their power from them. Can
you consistently change that and hasten
Its pdSSaseT'
Refused "a Chance 10 Speak,
Mr. Johnson Qnd) at this point attempted
TO secure time to address the House regard
ing his attitude on the general situation. If
war was TO come, he said, he was ready to
support any measure to prosecute 1t to a
successful conclusion. But before hostilitles
began he thought the House should give
MIN cnance to speak.
The request met with much opDogition
and was refused.
Mr.. Cox Tenn.). leader of the minority
OF the committee, gave the bill, as modified
his Endorsement.
In reply 10 question, Mr.. Hull said tbe
bill CT 1851 was temporary measure. and
Col srcss was confronted with the alterna-
i've Oh re-enactlns that temporary law or
placing a permanent law like the pending
Dill on the statute books. Mr.. Hull said
II at the best argument for the enactment
or permanent law was the fact that the
executive officers of the government were
ROW compelled to ask Congress to enact a
law TO carry out the will of Congress-
Mr. Marsh Un) and Mr. Savers cTexas,
both expressed the opinion that this meas
ure should be passed forthwith.
We are on the veIse of war. The meas
ure was asked for by the President and the
Secretary OF War, SAID Mr. Savers and
there should be no further quibbling
IL was finally arranged that general de-
bate should close at 30 pm.
Mr. Handy DelD opposed the bill be-
cat Sc IT was proposed TO pass it as an emer-
seEey, and yet was to be a permanent en-
actmeEt.
a question arose to whether, under
the provisions of the bill. additional legis-
lat!on would not be necessary to permit
the President to call ont volunteers.
To meet this defect Mr.. Lacey offered an
amendment authorizing the President to
raise volunteers when Congress shall have
authorized him to do SO or when he has
been authorized ito call into the actual
service of the United States the militia of
the several states
ThS Cuban resolution contains the lat
ter authorization.
The amendment was adopted
IN THE SENATE.
Mr. Allen Introduces n Resolution in