The Forrest City times., 1898-07-15

Annexation Accomplished-Other Laws
Enacted measures that Failed.
WASHINGTON, July S.-The passing of
the second session of the Fifty-fifth
congress marks the close of the first
war congress in quarter of a century
Associated with the first hostile con-
fict with a nation of another continent
since 1912, the annexation of Hawaii
and contemporaneous with further
movement for territorial expansion,
though with few important changes in
the domestic scheme, the present con-
gress outranks almost any other that
has ever assembled.
1t began with widespread clamor for SYM
pathetic action for suffering Cuba but there
apparently then no expectation of armed
conflict But when the trend of events cul-
minated the emergency was quickly met and
necessary legislation enacted. The first few
but significant measures suddenly needed,
were framed and made law but with the issue
made clear there was q flood OF bills and res
olutions that fairly submerged the two branches
of congress.
Hawaiian annexation. Spain and Cuba, war
appropriations and war revenue legislation, Or
ganization OF the vast volunteer army and ex-
~
these were features OF the session. Notable
speeches and dramatic scenes over foreign is
sues were comparatively frequent in both leg
islative chambers. Urgent deficiency bills car
rying millions OF dollars were rushed through
with far less delay than marked the course OF
an ordinary measure of little Importance.
The total appropriations footed almost $780,
100000. and upwards OF $3.50, 10000 of this was
for purely war purposes 1t was the largest
aggregate by any session since the civil war,
and the general deficiency was the largest
separate measure since the 5000 0,00) single
appropriation in 1868. The naval approprIa-
tion bill provided for three new battleships,
four monitors, l6 torpedo-boat destroyers, l2
torpedo boats and on. gunboat The urgent
deficiency bills all carried provisions for ag-
gressive work in the prosecution of the war.
The general deficiency, enacted in the last
days, carried provision for refunding the in
debtedness OF the Central and Western Pacific
railroads to the government
Cuba and Hawaii.
Cuba and Hawaii were the important matters
OF debate and provoked the most widespread
interest Hawaiian annexation. finally passed
at the close, was agitated throughout the ses-
sion first in treaty form in executive session,
and last in open session by resolutions accept
ing the Hawaiian governments cession Of the
islands.
Ihere were number OF messages from Pres
ident Mckinley bearing on the Cuban situa-
ton. ranging from the submission of report
upon the Maine disaster and the consular re-
ports. TO the call for declaration OF war.
The first real war legislation was when con =
gress placed. without limitations. $4,000, coo in
the presidents hands an emergency fund for
national defense. Party lines were swept
away. and both houses unanimously voted its
confidence in the administration Soon after
ward bill reimbursing the survivors of the
Maine disaster for their losses, not to exceed q
years pay, with similar amount to those who
perished, became law. On April II. the presi-
dent in a message left the Cuban issue in the
hands of congress RESOLUTIONS were soon en-
acted and became a law, April 10, declaring
that the people OF Cuba ought to be and
are free and independent, and demanding that
Spain relinquish its authority and withdraw
us land and naval forces from Cuba and Cuban
waters. and directing the use Of our land and
naval forces TO enforce the resolutions.
The declaration OF war was passed by con-
gress and approved on April 25 Subsequent
legislation gave free admission to all military
and naval supplies purchased abroad by this
government, allowed temporary fortifcations to
be reconstructed on the written consent of owners
OF land so taken, and prohibited under execu-
i've discretion the export OF coal or other war
material. Three DAYS before the declaration
OF war President Mckinley had approved the
volunteer act Under ii all the soldiers massed
against Spain mustered in the entire volunteer
army have been raised. embracing $500 men
under the first and 1900 under the second call.
month previous legislation had been enact
ed reorganzing the line of the army, efIecting
the modern three e-battallion war formation. 1t
designated the peace organization OF these
regiments with Two oattalionS OF four
companies each or two skeletons un-
manned companies, and supplied the third
battalion in war time by manning the
skeleton companies in organizing two addi-
tional ones, and made other important re-
quirements. Another law amended the pres
ent administration of justice in the army,
compllshing reforms in court-martial methods
Revenue Legislation.
One feature OF the session was the enactment
OF the war revenue law. Its trainers expect it
toproduce $3.50, ,0OL00J per year
Other revenue legislation included a bill en-
larging in favor of importers the provisions as
TO disposition of abandoned imported merchan-
olse, and extending the outage allowance on
Justified spirits in bonds from four TO six years.
Minor war legislation included the
following:
Allowing maximum increase OF 100 army
hospitals: toward providing for the mainte-
nance OF volunteers between their enrolment
ana mastering into United States service: add
ing two assistant adiutant generals; organizing
volunteer army signal corps; organizing
volunteer brigade of engineers; creating two
additional artillery regiments, adding 1910 men
ana 10 assistant surgeons to the army perma-
Hehtly and in emergencies many con-
tract surgeons as necessary; creating
United States auxiliary naval force. not ex-
eeeding 1000 enlisted men. and appropriating
sSoOl. 900 therefor: organizing naval hospital
corps OF 20 pharmacists and many hospital
stewards and apprentices necessary; or
saalzing naval battalion OF the District OF
Columbia; keeping iife-sayng stations on the
atlantic and gulf coasts open during June and
July Ter patrol purposes; ratifying all temporary
appointments OF naval officers on and after
april 81; authorizing assistance TO Cubans and
providing taem with arms and supplies; allow
ing homestead settlers who volunteer 10 count
.neir service in homestead requirements; reso-
lotions OF thanks TO Dewey and his men; the
presentation Of a sword to him and medals to