Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-03-10
SPIRIT OF PATRIOTISM RAMPANT
IN THE HOUSE.
ARTILLERY BILL PASSES
Goes Through Lower Branch of Con-
gress with Russia non introduces
Bill Apr opriating Fifty Million
Dollars for Coast DetenseS- Senate
Considers Other Business.

patrIotism was rampant in the house
and by an a most unanimous vote the
Hawley bill providing for two add
tional regiments OF artillery was
passed under suspension OF the rules.
No effort was made to obstruct &C
ton, but Mr. Bailey, the democratic
leader, pleaded Tor more time than the
forty minutes allowed under the rule
and because it was refused after the
bill had been passed he inaugurated "a
fIibuster against District of Columbia
legislation that continued all day. Mr..
Bailey desired to speak in favor Of the
bill, but could not get time.
Mr.. Hull (rep., Ia, in opening the
debate, spoke briefly in favor of the
bill BY July l, he said, 200 big guns
and 232 mortars would be mounted.
These guns required eighteen men each
to handle them and in time Of war six
ty The guns replaced July 1 require
1000 men regardless of any exigency
that might arise. The total artillery
force at present consists of about A.,
500 men. Even if no eXigency arose
1000 additional men would be neces-
sary to care for the Notifications and
guns upon which we are expanding
millions of dollars. The charge that
the bill was an attempt to make a
standing army to be used possibly to
overaWe cities, he said, he considered
too frivolous to discuss. Mr.. Cox
(dem., Tenn, in opposing tn BILL said
hot ha full
man in the house for the bill, if it were
needed for the national defense as a
war measure, but he argued that the
president, as cOmmander-in-chief of
the army, has authority to detail men
from other branches of the service,
the cavalry and infantry, and such de-
tail could man and care for the coast
defenses without increasing perma-
rently the standing army. Mr.
Balknap (rep., Ill.,. son of Secretary
of War Belknap, and Mr.. Mcclellan
ldem, N, Y.), son Of General McClel-
Ian, both warmly advocated the pass
age Of the bill in brief speeches, and
Mr.. Hay dem, w. Va created the
first open enthusiasm by declaring
himself in favor of taking every step
necessary to prepare for the emergency
which confronts the country. Mr.
Shrafroth (rep., COLI caused a round
of applause when he expressed regret
that a single voice was raised against
the bill at such time. There was no
denying the fact that our foreign rela-
tons with Spain are on the eve of
Rupture. War ought to be averted if
possible, but we ought to prepare at
once, he said, for every emergency.
The time for the debate having eX-
pired Mr.. Bailey (dem., Tex.) asked
for unanimous consent for three min
utes Mr.. Hepburn (rep., la OBJ
jected. Mr.. Lewis (dem,, Wash } at
tempted to offer an amendment prohib-
iting the use of these two regiments
to suppress strikes. The bill was
then passed without division. The
great chorus of ayes was offset by
three voices on the minority side,
Messrs. Cox (dem., Tenn. }, Jones
(dem, Va.), and Todd (fusion, Mich.).
District of Columbia business was
method of resenting the refusal to ac-
cord him the privilege of addressing
the house on the artillery bill, inaug-
urated filibuster. Roll-calls fol-
lowed for two hours. Finally the
confusion of the floor became such
that order was called for and the
speaker requested all members to
70 hot. d.;
his place on tue floor. Again the
speaker requested the members to
take their seats q will take nv
seat" said Mr. Bailey as he finally
sat down, because the rules
of the house require it," THE
speaker exercises no authority except
that conferred by rules" said the
speaker He holds no other author
ity and expects none" There were
several exchanges after that, after
one of which Mr.. Bailey, to the ac-
compartment Of republican jeers and
democratic applause, declared that he
could not be 'badgered" by the speak
sr. Turning to the republican side in
respense to their jeers, he added:
a lack of decency or a lack OF sense
and | suspect both"
Chairman Cannon of the appropri
attons committee introduced a bill en-
titled Making Appropriations for the
Nasonal Defense. 1t is as follows:
That there is hereby appropriated
out of any money in the treasury. not
otherwise appropriated, for the ma
tlonal defense and for each and everv
purpose connected Herewith. to be
expended at the discretion of the
president and to remain available un-
til June 80, 1899 $4,000, OOo."
Ii was referred to the committee
On appropriations.
The Cannon bill, it was learned
was the outcome of a conference held
at the white house at which Mr.. Can
non, Secretary Long, Mr.. Dinglev,
senator Allison and Gen. Grosvenor
were present. The situation was
deemed imperative that an immense
appropriation of this character should
be made at once to prepare for the
national defense. The bill will be pre-
scented in the house at once. This can |
be stated orr the highest authority.
SENATE.
Washington, March S.-The senate |
devoted itself entirely to considera- |
ton of the District of Columbia on