The herald., 1898-04-22

house carried sss. .o14.o5S. AS It was reported
to the senate 1t carries 81. .55S.
| Pending the consideration of the naval
bill Hawley of Connecticut, chairman of the
military affairs committee, called up the
resolution introduced a few uays ago and
re-introduced today, relating to the ex-
portation Of coal and other war materials.
After so amending the resolution as to en-
able the president not only to lay but TO
raise the embargo, the resolution was
passed without division.
The reading of the naval bill was then
resumed and completed with its amend
ments at 2:40 pm. An amendment was
added by the committee providing that the
secretary of the navy may establish depots
for coal and other fuel for warships and
appropriatins s95O.OOO for that purpose.
Perkins of California secured the adopt
ion of an amendment appropriating $780,
900 for the reconstruction of buildings re-
Gently destroyed by earthquake at Mare
Island navy yard, California.
Several minor amendments were adopted.
AS the bill was about to pass the armor
matter was brought up and it was likely to
lead to debate, Mr.. Hawley brought up the
volunteer army bill, which was considered
by unanimous consent.
Several amendments prepared by the mil
itary committee were offered by Mr.. Haw-
ley and agreed to.
Mr.. Bacon of Georgia suggested that the
bill be so amended as to provide that no
man in the military service should be COM
PEELED to enlist by the vote of company of
which he Is a member. Mr.. Hawley ex-
planned that nobody could be forced to en-
list as volunteer in the service in the
United States and there would be no prac-
tical difficulty in carrying into effect the
provisions of the bill. He further explained
that no member of militia organization
could be forced to go out of the country to
perform service unless he should volunteer
for such service.
Mr.. Pettus of Ala bama explained that the
matter suggested by Mr.. Bacon would be
arranged by the governors of states. All
of the mlitiamen would not. of course, vol
unteer for service. No individual company
or regiment would be compelled to enter
the service. although the great body of
them would doubtless volunteer for the
service.
Mr. Faulkner of West Virginia said that
the militia organizations throughout the
country thoroughly understood the matter
as they had been in communication with
the war department concerning it, Every
member of the National Guard understood
that he could not be forced to enlist in the
United States service.
The bill after an extended discussion was
passed
The Army Bill
The measure, as passed, contains four
teen sections, which may be summarized
as follows
Section / provides that all able-bodied
male citizens between the ages of IS ana
i5 shall constitute the national forces.
Section defines the regular army and
the volunteer forces comprising the land
forces
Section further defines the regular
army; provides also that the presiden, |
may authorize the secretary of war to or
ganze companies, troops, battalions or
regiments possessing special qualifications
from the nation at large, under such rules
and regulations, including the appointment |
Of the officers thereof, as may be pre-
jcribed by the secretary of war. (This pro-
,ision is senate amendment to authorize
he enlistment of plainsmen and others,
is proposed in Senator Warren's bill.)
Section provides that the volunteer
army shall be maintained only during the |
existence of war or while war is imminent, |
and shall be organized only upon the au-
thorization of congress; provides also that
shall be for a term of three
years, unless sooner termina ted, and that
all volunteers shall be discharged upon |
a aconnnli n1ppf of the fOv |
which they enlisted, and provides further
hat existing organizations of the state
militia may, at their discretion, be turned
n for service for a term of one year. (This
after proviso was inserted as a senate
lmendment)
Section provides for enlistment follow
ng the presidents proclamation stating
he number of men required, under regu-
ations to be prescribed by the secretary OF
var. and provides also that as far as prac-
icable the volunteer army shall be taken
rom the several states and territories In
,roportion to their population.
Section provides that the regulations
If the regular army shall apply to the vol
inteers, and also provides that the regl-
mental and company officers shall be ap-
pointed by the governors of the states or
,anizng volunteers, subject to such eX
animation as to fitness and capacity rs
nay be prescribed; provides also that each
egiment shall have two surgeons and two
.ssistant surgeons.
Section provides for recruiting to main
ain the maximum strength of volunteer
rganizations.
Section S provides for certification to the
pension office of all records of volunteer
organizations.
Section provides for the three-battalion
organization.
Section 10 enumerates the officers VIII