Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-26
WAR DECLARATION.
THE BILL MAKING IT PROMPTLY
PASSED ny CONGRESS.
The ARMY REORGANIZATION BILL.
This Measure Goes to Conference
Naval BiII Passes the scnate-PrIcc
of ArmOr-PInte Wen for Our
ships.

war between the United States and the
kingdom Of Spain in a manner which
cannot fail to impress the world. The
representatives Of seventy million people
voted for It without a word OF debate,
without a dissenting voice. and without
a roll-call. showing their solemn appre-
citation Of the gravity Of the momentous
action. 1t took just forty-one minutes 10
accept the measure.
The House was considering an election
case when the message was received
and simply paused to declare war. There
was no excitement. 1t was only by the
great cheer that went up from floor and
galleries when Speaker Reed declared its
passage that the tremendous import Of
the measure was shown.
The Committee on Foreign Affairs
framed the measure. Acting Chairman
Adams wrote the report, and II was
passed and on its way to the Senate I'm
an hour and six minutes. The Speaker
signed it at i:45.
The remainder Of the day was devoted
10 the election case Of Wise vs.. Young
from the Second Virginia District.
Mr.. Mesick. made the opening argument
IN the election case. in favor OF the claims
of TIN contestant Mr.. Wise. On the
race of the returns. the sitting member.
Atr. Young DemocraO, had 1892 plurality.
Mr.. Mesick claimed that a conspiracy
existed 10 prevent the negroes from
voting. The testimony before the com
mttee. he contended, showed that the
contestant. Or. Wise. was entitled 10 a
plurality OF 5.ll7 in the district
Messrs. Burke DemOcraO, Of Texas:
lost ptepublicam, OF Virginia. and De
Almond DemocraU, Of Missouri. also
spoke on the election case.
Nhen the army REORGANIZATION bin.
win the Senate amendments. came back
the amendments were nCncOncurred In.
on motion of Mr. Hull. and the bill was
sent 10 conference. Messrs. Hull: Cox
uDemocraO, Of Tennessee. and Marsh
COnferrees
Al $40 +. NJ. the House adjourned.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
War and war measures were the only
topics discussed by the Senate to-day.
during more than four hours Of IT'S ses-
sion The body had scarcely convened
when the message Of the President urg-
ing Congress 10 declare the existence of
wei ~ FNfll lAlf klllltu suites ana Spain
was laid before il. without comment
the message was referred TO the Foreign
Relations Committee.
Consideration Of the naval appropria-
ton bill was resumed. the pending ques-
ton being upon an amendment Of AIR.
Butler's PopulisO. Of North Carolina. o.
reduce the price OF armOr-placc, or, as an
alternative, 10 establish an armor-platc
factory. After a long and bitter debate
in the course Of which Mr.. Butler was
accused by Mr.. Hawley, Of Connecticut
OF making what in the circumstance.
ought to be regarded as reasonable ut
terances. the amendment was defeated.
TO MAN OUR SHIPS.
An amendment Of great importance
was attached TO the bill at the last
minute by Mr.. Hale. chairman OF the
Naval Affairs Committee II authorizes
the Secretary of the Navy 10 enlist as
many men as DE may deem necessary 10
man the ships Of the navy during tho
existing war. and approprlates $1,000
10 enable him 10 carry the amendment
into effect.
An amendment was also adopted pro
vidng that hereafter all frst-class bat
teships and monitors shall be named ar
ter the various States. The bill was then
passed.
The bill for the better organization Of
the line OF army providing for the three
new artillery regiments was called ul
by Mr. Hale II was read. and The
amendments provided by the Committee
on Military Affairs We're adopted.
ARMY REORGANIZATION.
The committees amendments require
that the quotas from the states and
Territories shall be in companies troops
and batteries. each 20 contain, so far as
practicable. the number Of enlisted men
authorized in this act for each arm of
the service. and battalions Of not less
than three such companies. and regi-
nents Of not less than ten or more than
twelve such companies. But this pro
viso shall apply 10 companies, troops.
batteries. battalions and regimental or
carnations. and none other.
Another amendment authorizes n hos
uital steward for each battalion.
Provision is also made for the increase
Of the signal corps in time Of war 20 tho
extent of ten corpOrals. 100 frst-class pri-
Yates. and forty second-class privates.
who are 10 have the pay and allowance
Of engineer troops OF the same grade
An amendment 20 section gives the
President discretion 20 employ retired
officers Of the army on active duty exc
cept I'm command Of troops While so
emplovcd they are 20 receive the full pay
Of their grade.
DECLARATION OF WAR.
At2 o'clock the Senate went into secret
executive session and passed the bill
from the House declaring the existence
of war between the United states and
Spain. subsequently. a brief open session
was held during which minor business
was transacted.
Vlce-President Hobart signed the bill
declaring the existence OF war between
the United states and Spain at o'clock.
A few minutes later message was re-
ceived from the House announcing its
disagreement with the Senate amend
mcnts 10 the army reorganization bill.
and asking for a conference. The confer
euce was agreed 10, and Messrs Hawley,
Proctor. and COckrell were named as the
senate conferrees.
At $50 p. NJ. the Senate adjourned.
WAR DECLARATION BILL.
The following is the bill reported by the
House Foreign Affairs Committee:
"A bill declaring that war exists be
tween the United states Of America ana
the Kingdom Of Spain:
BE it enacted. etc:
81 That war be- and the same is here
by. declared 10 exist, and that war has
existed since the 2lst day OF April \. D.,
1895. including said day, between the
United states of America and the King
dom Of Spain.
'2 That the President he, and he is
hereby. declared empowered to use the
entire land and naval forces OF the United
States. and 10 call into the actual SER
vice of the United States the militia OF
the several States to such extent "a may
Doe necessary to carry this act into effect
The House declaration IS the same as