The times., 1898-04-24
ARMY BILL PASSED.
After Considerable Discussion II
Goes Through.


When the House convened at 10 o'clock
Yesterday morning, the bill for the better
organization of the line Of the Regular
Army was promptly taken up with the
distinct understanding on both sides of
the chamber that it should be passed
within an hour.
BY unanimous consent general debate
was limited to thirty minutes
Chairman Hull. of the Military Com
mittee, stated that the bill was mate
rial modification from that originally re-
ported. He said the general of the Army,
when before the Military Committee.
stated that the great need of the Army
was privates. Gen. Miles explained that
the Army had it's complement of officers.
hat with small number of privates the
Army would be crippled In time Of war
He advised that the infantry companies
he given one hundred privates each, but
the committee had fixed the number at
eighty-four. to meet the wishes of the
officers Of the National Guard.
Fifteen minutes were consumed in eX-
planning the features and phases Of the
bill when Mr. Underwood OF Alabama
was given five minutes He complained
that the bill did not sufficiently provide
for the reduction Of the Regular Army to
a peace basis upon the termination OF
hostiIities.
Mr.. Hay of Virginia. member of the
committee replied TO Mr.. Underwood.
pointing out thai he was under an er
roneous impression as 20 the bill. lie
then proceeded to show that il was care
| fully drawn and amply provided for re-
organizing the Army on a modern basis.
| He explained that the pending bill pro-
| vided for filing up the Regular Army in
| time of war TO an effective basis. the cX-
cess over the regular peace basis to be
[
tion of hostilities.
| Mr. Marsh a member Of the committee,
| said the bill did not specify how the sI-
| pernumerary commissioned officers should
be mustered out at the end of war. The
| committee concluded to leave that matter
| to the Congress that shall be in session
| when the Army shall be reduced.
| A telegram was read from Adjt. Gen.
| Corbin which stated that all plans for
| the Army were being based on the as
sumption that the ttree-battalion bill
| would become a law.
There was opposition on the Democratic
| side to any increase Of the Regular Army
but the opponents contented themselves
| with stating the grounds of their criti-
c,sm They would not prevent or delay
| the passage Of the bill.
Mir Bailey urged that the additional
companies provided for be mustered out
as a whole al the end Of the war.
| Mr. Dockery suggested an amendment
directing the President to make rules and
regulation for retiring supernumerary
4 officers in time Of peace.
Mr.. Handy of Delaware then offered
an amendment investing the President
| with the right to promote enlisted me- =.
| second lieutenants for gallant and meri-
| torious service in the field. Representa-
| tive Savers objected, saying that the
few who had political Influence at Wash
| ington would secure promotion over more
deserving soldiers.
Mr.. Handy's resolution was voted down,
| as was also Mr. Hull's In fact, all
amendments were vigorously voted down,
| and there was very apparent majority
IN favor of passing the original bill.
At noon Speaker Reed took the gavcl
ls-rom Mr. Payne. chairman of the Com
mittee of the Whole House. and requested
| that the members now adjourn i'm a body
10 the Senate chamber TO attend the
funeral of Senator Walthan. Accordingly
the members formed in double file and
crossed the Capitol to the Senate wing
it was simply an informal recess and il
was previously agreed that the House
would resume consideration of the bill as
soon as possible.
The bill was finally passed substantially
as reported by an almost unanimous
vote. The amendments accepted were
only of technical nature. The House
| then ad djourned until Monday