Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-22
TWO new REGIMENTS
Bill Passed by the Senate Fifty-Two
to Four.
need FOR TRAINED ARFILLERISTS
Wanted to Man the New Guns on
the Coast.
TIL F NDRY CIVIL BILL

crowd of spectators filled the galleries
a the opening of the session of the Sem
ate today in anticipation of the exercises
ircident to Washington's birthday. Among
the spectators were many Daughters of the
American Revolution, now in national ses-
SIGN III this city.
The prayer of the blind chaplain was par
ticularly apI ropriate to the day. 1t fol-
lows: 20 Lord Who hast been our dwell
Ing place in all generations. we bless Thee
tor Thy gift to this continent of that man
whose birth all Americans the world
around this day commemorate with joy
and gratitude: the man who has well de-
served the name of the father of his coun-
Try: whose life and character stand before
the world lofty and stainless as the mon
un-ent which bears his name by the river
he loved so we'll
Bestow upon the people of this country.
young and old. foreign ard native-born
larger measure of the grand and simple
character of our beloved father reyerent
toward things divine. humble. modest firm:
whose courage was tempered with modera-
tiGn. whose nobility of character was quail
flied and glorified by his devotion to his
country and to the best interests of the
people. We pray that Thou wilt keep us
IT. the paths which he pointed out as wise
and right. And may We. as we tread thes,,
halls. climbing the mountainside to loftier
heights. feel that the blessing of the God
OF Washington rests upon this country and
al! its people. So give Thy blessing to the
President and Vice President the members
or the two houses of Congress. to the Sd
p'eme Court and to all who are in author
ity throughout the land: and may all the
people of this country work out the glor-
ious destiries which Washington yearned
Tor and which trJe patriots seek
After the invocation had been pronounced
MI 4 81 Gn amin
sent that the prayer be incorpora ted IN the
Record as part of the proceedings of the
SeEate. and it was SO ordered.
Reading the Farewell Address.
The reading of the journal was dispensed
with and. In accordance with a previous
order. the Vice President Introduced Sena-
tor Lodge tMass.) to read Washington's
farewell address. 1t has been the custom
for manE years to have the address read in
the Senate Icy one of its members on the
anniversary of Washington's birth. Mr.
Lodge read from the Vice Presidents desk
he was IN Inc voice. and the words of the
historic document were clearly heard in
very p;trt OF the Senate. Throughout the
ndinbtr and the galleries the closest at
ttnt!on was given 10 the reading scarcely
the least noise OF any kind being heard.
Special emphasis seemed TO be placed by
Mr.. Lodge upon Washington's maxims re-
garding the raising of revenues by the
ieNying of taxes and the maintenance of
the public credit: and there was a ring to
the readers voice as he pronounced these
words: Observe good faith and justice to-
ward all nations. Cultivate peace and har-
mOny toward all"
At the conclusion of the reading of the
address Mr.. Lodge was warmly congrat-
llated by his colleagues.
Proposed Wnrship Geo. Warrington
Mr.. Morgan (Ala) introduced the follow
ing resolution:
instructed to inquire and report whether
man-of-war, equal. at least. 10 any war
ship in the world. to be named the George
Washington. can he built, armed and COM
missloned within period of twelve
months. by the use of the facilities of the
snip yards. machine shops. mines and for
ests of the United States. wherever the
same are found; and that the committee
have leave to report at any time. by bill or
otherwise.
The resolution WAS adOpted without do
hate.
Mr. Hawley Comm. chairman of the
military affairs committee called up the
bill reported from his committee author
izing the organization of two additional
regiments of artillery.
Need of the Increase.
Senator Hawley. in reporting the bill,
said: The speedy passage of this bill. or
It's equivalent. appears to be an absolute
careful consideration by those whose Off ,es
and studies qualify them to give the most
valuable advice. has entered upon the ex-
ecution of a systematic and elaborate plan
of coast defense The progress therein is
Indicated in extracts from the last annual
report of Gen John NJ. Wilson, chief CT
engineers Existing contracts call for the
emplacement and mounting on or before
JIne 30. 1898. now rapidly approaching. of
LIB modern high-power steel guns. rang
ing In caiiher from to Il inches: II of y
inch caiber: six-pounoers, and 232 L.
inch mcrtars. a total OF 3s7.
These are to be scattered. according to
the best judgment of the engineers and
ordnance officers. from Maine to Puget
Sound. having careful regard to the rela-
tive importance Of the positions to be de-
Tended. The great expenditure Will be
wasted treasure unless sufficient number
Of artil!erymen. carefully selected and thor
Cughly drilled. be assigned to the care and
use or these costly instruments of defense.
AS the works are from week to week COM
pleted. the utmost the general commanding
can do is to detail few caretakers to
each station. With the aid of the actves
Oi the National Guard and those who have
been discharged therefrom after years of
II struction. effective cavalry and infantry
could be collected in a comparatively short
time; but in case OF war short notice would
be given to the men in charge of the great
guns on the coast. whose costly machinery
requires much mechanical skill and prac-
nee. Men III TO be trusted to run great
engines on our railroads., or even the Ordi-
rSry steamers of rivers and lakes cannot
be called into service at DAYS or a
months notice To handle but especially
to fire with precision. the rev guns re-
quires the highest class of skilled labor
careful estimate OF tine annual addi-
u"Eal expenditure required to maintain the
two regiments is $1,000 But some months
will expire before the regiments can be full
ly enlisted and organized, and while the
scale of the first year with Its equipment
viii be very considerably greater than that
or average Subsequent years II is believed
that sIJ0VD, possibly less, will suffice for
the fiscal year 1899. II is scarcely worth
while To enlarge upon the wisdom of estab-
fishing the defenses OF cur very extended
coast successive congresses have vigor-
ously and literally asserted It,"
Gen. Miles, Report.
To tins were added a number of reports
including letter from Acting Secretary
Meikiejonn and Gen. Miles, the latest being
letter from Gen Miles. written yesterday
in which he says: My Dear Senator: Re-
terring To our conversation this morning.
have the horror to state that batteries have
been placed in position in new Notifications
at Portland Head. Maine: Growers Gin
Boston harbCr: Fort Hancock approach To