The record-union., 1898-03-08
The IIawley Bill to increase The
Strength Of The Army
Passed by an Almost Unanimous Vote in
The Lower Branch Of Congress.
The Session of The Senate Devoted
Entirely to Consideration OF
the District Of Columbia APP
preparation Bill.

WASHINGTON March THE spirit
of patriotism was rampant in the House
to-day and by almost an unanimous
vote the Eiawley dill. providing for Two
additional regiments Of artillery, Was
passed under suspension Of the rules.
No effort was made To obsruct action.
but Bailey, the Democratic leader,
pleaded for more time than the forty
minutes allowed under the rule. and
because it WAS refused. after the bill mad
been passed he inaugurated filibusler
against the District of Columbia legisla-
ton that continued all day. Bailey de-
sired to speak in favor of the bill, but
could not get time
Hull, in opening the debate. explained
briefly the necessity for these men to
man the coast defenses of the country.
BY July 1st. he said 244 big guns and
2332 mortars would be mounted. These
guns required Is men each to handle
them, and in time of war 60 There
Were 4,02o artillerymen all told in the
service. The guns emplaced July ist
would require I0tO regardless of any
eXigency that might arise. Even If no
exigency arose. these men, he insisted,
would be necessary to care for the Cor
tifications and guns upon which We were
eXpending millions of dollars. The
charge that this bill was an attempt TO
increase the standing army to be used
to overawe the cities, he said, he con-
sidered too frivolous to discuss.
Cox in opposing the bill said he would
vote as cheerfully as any man in the
House for this bill if it We're needed
for the national defense as war meas
ure but he argued that the President. as
Commander-in-Ch Chief of the army, had
authority to detail the men from the
other branches of the service, the CaVal-
ry and infantry, and that such details
could man and care for the coast de
fenses without increasing permanently
the standing army.
Belknap CR) of Illinois. son Of ex
Secretary of War Belkuap and Nc
Clellan D1 of New York. a son Of Gen
erai Mcclellan. both warmly advocated
the passage of the bill in brief speeches,
and Hay (DD of Virginia created the
first open enthusiasm by declaring hiIn
self in favor of taking every step neces-
sary now to prepare for the emergency
which confronts the country.
Jones D1 of Virginia the other DemU-
crat who opposed the bill, insisted Ihat
the bill was not war measure. as il
had been recommended for several
years.
Shafroth Of Colorado caused round Of
applause when he expressed his regrp-
that a single voice should be raised
against such a bin at such time. There
was no denying the fact that our foreign
relations with Spain were on the eve OF
a rupture. War ought to be averted II
possible but we ought to prepare at
once. he said. for every emergency.
Williams CD) of Mississippi said that
while his voice was now as ever tor
peace. it seemed absolutely certain tnat
Spain was forcing us into war to ex-
tricate the reigning family from the
desperate straits into which she was
placed by her futile attempts to subju-
gate Cuba. He was for Cuban beiliG-
erency and Cuban independence. and if
war was TO come as result of our sym
pathy for those who were struggling foi
their freedom. he would not refuse 70
give his vote to any measure designed TO
prepare us TO meet the enemy.
The time for debate expired at this
time. and Bailey. who had not been
able to get the floor. asked for unani-
nous consent for three minutes
Hepburn (R) Of Iowa objected.
Lewis Cd OF Washington attempted
to offer an amendment prohibiting the
use of these two regiments TO suppress
strikes.
The bill was then passed without d.
vision.
The great chorus Of ayes was offsc:
bv three voices on the minority side.
Cox D) Of Tennessee. Jones CD) II
Virginia and Todd Fusion) of Michi-
gan.
District Of Columbia business was
then taken up. and Bailey. r means
of resenting the refusal to accord him.
the privilege of addressing The Ho,Se
on the artillery bin inaugurated a fill
buster Roll-cau followed roil-caH fot
two hours When the confusion on the
floor became such that order was called
for. TIE Speaker requested all member.
to take their seats
Bailey retained his place on the foot
Again the Speaker requested mem
bers to take their seats.
Il take my seat said Bailey. as III
finally sat down. because the rules
Of tn. House require it,"