The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-07-09

The War bins ana the Annexation -
>. HAWAII the Nest Heaewsrthy 81
me 1ans Rass14 A3sAs-sA Maay
BIAS @1sasar1 Beca.e Laws.
WARRINGTON, July s.-The passing Of
the second session Of the Fifsy-nfrh con-
greD MARKS the close Of the first war co.,
gress tn quarter Of . century.
It began with . Widespread clanof for
sympathetic action for suffering Cuba, but
there was apparently then NO expectations
Of armed conflict. But when the trend Of
events eliminated. the emergency was
quickly met and necessary legislation en-
acted.
ures suddenay needed were framed and
made law. but with the issue made clear.
there was . flood OF bills and resolutions
that fairly submerged the two branches
OF congress.
Hawaiian annexation, war appropriations
and war revenue legislation, organization
of vast volunteer army and expansion Of
the navy. a new bankruptcy laval these
were features Of the session. Notable
speeches and dramatic scenes over foreign
issues were Comparatively frequent in both
legislative chambers. Urgent deficiency
bills carrying millions OF dollars were
rushed through with far less delay than
marked the course OF an ordinary measure
OF like importance. The total appropria-
tons footed almost 500 Co., 600 and upwards
of $3.50, 0Oo, 900 Of this was for purely war
purposes. II was the largest aggregate by
any session since the civil war and the
general deficiency was the largest separate
measure since the s75o. 600 single appro-
priation In 1883. The naval appropriation
bill provided for three new battleships. four
monitors, sixteen torpedo boat destroyers
twelve torpedo boats and one gunbOat.
The urgent deficiency bills all carried
provisions for aggressive work in the pros
ecution Of the war. The general deficiency
enacted in the last days. carried pro-
vision for refunding the Indebtedness Of the
Central and Western Pacific railroads to
the government
Cuba and Hawaii were the important
matters offered and provoked the most
widespread interest. Hawaiian annexa-
ton, finally passed at the close. was agi-
tated throughout the session. first in treaty
form In executive session. last In open ses-
sion by resolutions accepting the Hawaiian
governments cession of the islands.
There were a number Of messages from
President Mckinley. bearing on the Gu
ban situation, ranging from the submits
sion of a report upon the Maine disaster
and the consulate reports to call for
declaration Of war. The first real war leg
.slation was when congress placed without
limitation $50.0N,0o0 In the presidents
hands as an emergency fund for national
defense. Party lines were swept away and
both houses unanimously voted its conf
dence In the administration. Soon after
ward a bill reimbursing the survivors OF
the Maine disaster for their losses. not to
exceed a years pay, with similar amount
% relatives OF those who persisted. became
q law On April II, the president in mes
sage left the Cuban issue in the hands Of
congress.
Resolutions were soon enacted and be-
came a law April 10 declaring that the
people Of Cuba ought 70 be and are free
and independent and demanding that Spain
relinauish its authority and withdraw Its
land and naval forces from Cuban and Gu
ban waters and directing the use OF our
land and naval forces to enforce the reso-
lutions-
The declaration Of war was passed by
congress and approved on April %
SUBSEQUENT legislation gave free admis-
sion to all military and naval supplies pur-
chased abroad by this government. allow
ing temporary Notifications to be construct
ed on the written consent OF owners of
land so taken. and prohibited, under ex-
ecutive disci elton. the export OF coal or
other war material and three days before
the declaration OF war President Mckin-
lev had approved the volunteer act. Under
II all the soldiers massed against Spain
mustered in the entire volunteer army have
been raised. embracing $4,000 men under
the first and 1900 under the second call.
a month previous legislation had been en-
I'll av,:v no ha a
effecting modern liberalization war form
atoms. IT designated the peace organiZa-
| ton OF these regiments with two battal-
| ions of four companies each, and two skel-
| eton or unnamed companies. and supplied
! the third battalion in war time by manning
/ the skeleton companies. IN organizing two
I additional ones. and made other important
! requirements. Another law amended the
| present administration OF justice in the
| army. accomplishing reforms in court-mar-
| tial methods.
| One feature OF the session was the enact
| ment Of the war revenue law. It's trainers
! expected IL 10 produce SIS. 900 oOo. Other
revenue legislation included a bin eniarg-
ing in favor o. importers the provisions as
70 disposition OF abandoned imported mer-
/ chandise, and extending tou,e,age allow
! arce on distilled spirits In bond from four
! IN six years.
| Minor war legislation included the fol-
| lowing: Allowing an increase in army hos
/ pitfalls: providing for the salaries of voiun-
| teers between their enrolment and muster
| ing in. adding two assistant adJu.ant gem
| erals; organizing volunteer army signal
| corps; organizing a volunteer brigade OF
| engineers: creating two additional artillery
/ regiments. adding $40 men. adding fifteen
! assistant surgeons TO the army permanent
| ly. and in emergencies az many contract
/ surgeons as necessary; creating a United
! States auxiliary naval force not exceeding
/ sao enlisted men and approfFiattne taea.-
/ no therefor; organizing a naval hospital
! corps ~ as army stewards and apprentices:
authorizing assistance TO CNsbans and PRO-
/ SidiGg them with arms and supplies; allow
! isg homestead seekers who volunteered 20
count their service IN homestead require
rnenfs- rss@a.u. inns OF thanks IL Il1gxar