The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-24
THEY WILL BE ACCEPTED AS
ORGANIZED UNDER LAW
OF STATES.
DOES NOT INCREASE PEACE FOOTING
It Passed Unanimously--WlIl be Sent to Pres
dent Next Week--Au;h,rizes the Recruit
ing Of the Regular Army
to 6i,0l0.

Washington. ID. c., April 23.-The
House to-day passed the Army Re-or-
ganization bill az the urgent request OF
the President and Secretary of War,
but the Senate did not remain in session
as was expected, and the bill will not
go to the President until next week.
Some fear was expressed on the Demo
cratic side that the bill might increase
the regular army in time of peace, but
an amendment prepared by Mr.. Bailey
which removed all doubt ON this score
was accepted by Mr.. Hull and the bill
passed by a unanimous vote. The bill
TALON formation and authorizes the %
regiments of the infantry army of the
service to be recruited up to a total of
81 800 enlisted men, 1t gives S4 instead
of 100 privates to each infantry com
many. 1t authorizes the recruitment of
the ten regiments of the cavalry arm OF
the service TO total of 1000 enlisted
men, the seven regiments of the artillery
arm-of the service te be 16,451 men, and
the engineer battalion of five compan-
les mp to 752 enlisted men. including two
norl-comnissioned officers; which makes
Il total for these four arms of the SER
vice when at a maximum strength 61,-
010.
The increase of officers provided in the
b-I is:
First twenty-five majors as provided
in the first section of the bill. These
majors are TO be permanent addition
TO the commissioned officers ofsthe reg
ular army.
Second. One hundred and fifty COM
fnissioned officers to provide for the
two infantry companies in the third
battalion for each of the twenty-five reg
iments of infantry.
Third. Eighty-four second lieuten-
ants, being one for each of the eighty
batteries of artillery when recruited to
n war strength. The second lieuten-
ants are only to be added in the discre
tion of the President. but assuming that
the extra lieutenant is necessary and
will be commissioned for each battery
of artillery. it makes a total Of commits
stoned officers in excess of the present
number authorized by law of 80. OF
this number. as above stated, % are
majors for the permanent second battal-
ion and the other 234 officers, it is pro-
vided i'm the last section of the bill, shall,
on the conclusion of hostlities be either
absorbed by filling any vacancies exist
ing in the other companies of the ser
vice or by an honorable discharge, as
may be deemed necessary to reduce the
commissioned officers of the army to the
number now provided for by the first
section of this act.
The following important proviso was
offered by the committee as an amend
ment:
Provided, that in the event Of call
by the President for either volunteers or
the militia of the country. the President
is authorized to accept the quotas of
troops of the various States and Terri
tories, including the District of Columbia
as organized under the laws of the States
and Territories including the District
of Columbia.
The debate on the bill was spirited.
Mr.. Underwood Dem. Ala.) vigorously
opposing the measure.
AT ll:55 a. m., without concluding
the consideration of the bill the House
look recess in order to attend the funeral
of Senator Walthall.
Ihe House reconvened after Senator
Walthall,s funeral at 1850 y. m. and re-
sumed the consideration of the Army
Reorganization BILL
An amendment offered by Mr.. Bailey
was adopted which provided that the
army at the end of war shouId he re-
duced TO peace basis by the transfer
III the same arm of the service or honor
able discharge under such regulations ne
the Secretary of War NAV estahl;sb ,,
OF supernumerary commissioned off;carc
and men
Without further amendment the hill
was then passed without division.
The remainder of the day aftar two
o'clock was devoted to eulogies unon tho
life and Dublic services of the late Sano.
tor Earle. Of South Carolina. The fol
lowing members paid tribute To his
memory: Messrs. Elliott Dem. s. a..
Hamilton Rep. Mich.): Terry Dem
Ark; Talbert Dem. S. c.: Lanhom
lDem. Texas: Burrows Rep. Mass !:
Stokes Dem. s. C.): Norton Dem. s.
O.: and Lattimer Oem. s. c..
As further mark of respect the
House at 5:15 y. m. adjourned until
Monday.