The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-09
Passage of De-
fciency Bill.
ONE POINT RAISED.


Washington, Dec. 8.-The urgent de-
ficiency bill, to provide for the sup
# port of the military and naval estab-
lishment, was passed by the House to-
day practically without opposition. A
fear had been expressed that the meas
ure might open up a prolonged debate
upon the conduct of the war, but the
democratic leaders decided that such
debate would properly come later
4 upon the regular appropriation bills.
and upon the bill for reorganization Of
the army.
There was not word of criticism
OF the war during the debate. The
only point upon which an issue was
raised today was as to whether the bill
providing as it did for the pay of the
volunteers until July l, 1899, might not
be construed as a modification of the
law under which the volunteers We're
mustered into service. Mr.. McRae of
Arkansas offered an amendment pro-
vlding that it should not be so con-
strued, and upon it there was a general
discussion as to the ACCESSIBILITY of
mastering the volunteers out before the
regular army was increased. Mr.. Can
non finally accepted the McRae amend
ment, and that removed the only shad-
oW of opposition to the bill
A number of amendments were
adopted upon the recommendation of
the committee which received some
supplemental estimates after the bill
was prepared The largest of these
was an estimate of 100000 for an ener-
gcncy fund for the war department
and $4,000 for the ordnance depart
ment, increasing the amount carried by
the bill to $69 S59, 1872. The conference
report upon the bill to render the sure
ties Of consuls, vice consuls and con-
sular agents liable for damages in suits
at law, was adopted
The House adjourned over until Mon
day TO give the committees opportunity
10 work without interruption.
On motion of Chairman Cannon of
the appropriations committee, the
House went into committee of the
whole Immediately after the reading OF
tins Journal ana proceeded to the con-
sideration of the urgent deficiency bill
for the support of the military and ma
val establishments during the six
months beginning Jan. l, 1898
Mr.. Cannon said it was difficult al
most impossible to tell with ordinary
certainty. how much money would be
required during the next six months,
but this bill was based upon the best
estimates.
MIR. Underwood Cdem) of Alabama
interrogated Mr.. Cannon, with a view
of securing q statement as to the dis
position to be made of the volunteer
army.
Mr.. Cannon said the treaty of peace
had not been ratified. 1t might be rati-
fled January; it might not be ratified
for months. No one could tell
what was in front Of us. We must deal
with situation The volunteer army
might be mustered out and its place ia
ken by the regular army. That was a
matter for the future to decide. but he
felt confident that the treasury would
be rich enough and congress wise
enough to meet an emergency
Mr.. Sayers (dem.) of Texas gave his
unqualified Endorsement to the bill. 1t
did not affect in any way, he said the
legislation regarding the volunteer OF
regular armies. 1t simply made appro-
priations 70 support the present milf
tary and naval establishments. IN an
Swer to questions, he said the bill was
based on the theory that the volunteers
would continue in the service until Jan
l. 1899 If they were mustered out the
appropriations would be covered bacB
into the treasury.
Mr. McRae (dem) of Arkansas gave
notice that at the proper time ne Woulo
offer an amendment declaring tha'
nothing in the pending bill should CON
Htrue extend or modify section o.
the act of April %, creating the Volun'
teer army He said he would not have
pressed this amendment had 1t not beer
for the presidents declaration IN ms
message that he would muster out lhs
volunteer army as soon as the regular
estabIishmen. was increased. it was
tn hold them
In the service when congress had glVel
a solenn pledge that they should p(
mustered out as soon as the war end
ed
WHY should they now be held II
service as hostage for the passage ..
en- act to increase the regular army
Unless his amendment was carried, lh'
yrar denartunent. already headed in ina
direction. would construe this bill as
an extension of. the fourth section OF
the act of April %. He believed 1t was
the purpose of the president 10 noe
the volunteers until a large STANDING
army was provided.
"The army on peace footing mum
hers hit $4,000" interp0scd MI Can
non Does the gentleman and his sld'
of the House stand ready to suppor,,
bill to increase that army to meet tl'
necessities of the government IN 10
present emergency and those Wnici
we win meet that question whei
it arises" replied Mr. MeRae, we ar'
opposed to a large standing army an'
we are opposed to holding the voluh
teers to perform the duty of regulars
and be used as a club to force us u
create a large standing army. Let re
organization of the army come IN TN
regular way.
Mr. Cox (dem Tenn.,) supported IN
McRae amendment. as did Mr.. Bland
Mr. Hemnway said he could not uh
derstand how gentlemen could desil
the mastering out Of the volunteers un
til standing army was provided larS
enough to properly govern our neP
II possessions.
Mr. Dockery dem, Mo- ala nor ne
lieve the pending bill could possibly D
construed to modify the volunteer act
If any of It's provisions do so, pom
of order would lie against them
Mr. Underwood (dem. Ala) assert
ed that the volunteers who enlisted
did SO with the understanding that the.
would be mustered out as soon as nos
tilities ceased. and since hostilities hal
ceased there had been daily aVerag
Of 500 applications for discharge ii