The age-herald., 1898-04-24
BILL TO INCREASE I
 STANDING ARMY It Passed Yesterday the House Without
 Division TO SlXTY-0NE THOUSAND This Mill Be the Strength in War
 Times. CAN BE REDUCED TO PEACE BASIS Bill Cannot Go to the President Until Monday. Amendment to Accept State Troops
 as Organized When They
 Volunteer
CAN BE REDUCED TO PEACE BASIS

Washington, April 23.-The house today passed the army reorganization bill at the urgent request of the president and secre- tary of war, but the senate did not remain in session as was expected, and the bill will not go to the president until next week. '. l Some fear was expressed on the demo- cratic side that the bill might increase the regular army in time of peace, but an amendment prepared by MT. Bailey which removed all doubt on this score, was ac- cepted by MT. Hull and the bill passed by a unanimous vote. The bill reorganizes the army into the three-battalion formation and authorizes the twenty-five regiments of the infantry arm of the service to be recruited up to a total of 31 800 enlisted men. It gives 340 instead of 100 priyates to each infantry company. It authorizes the re- cruiting of the ten regiments of the caval- ry arm of the service to total of F, 900 en- | listed men, the seven regiments of the artillery arm of the service to be 16, ,457 men, and the engineer battalion of five com panies up to 752 enlisted men, including two on-eommissioned officers; which makes a total for these four arms of the service when at a maximum strength 61,Ol0. The Increase in Officers U the bill is:
 1. Twenty majors as provided In the first section of the bill. These majors are to be permanent addition to the com missioned officers of the regular army.
 2. One hundred and fifty commanding off, cers to provide for the two infantry com panies in the Third battalion for each of the twenty-five regiments of infantry.
 3. Eighty-four second lieutenants. being one for each of the eight-four batteries of artillery when recruiting to a war strength. The second lieutenants are only to be added in the discretion of the president but as- suming d lieutenant is necessary and will be commander for each battery of artll- lery, 1t makes total of commanding off, cers in excess of the present number 'au- thorized by law of 259. Of this number, as above stated two are majors for the per- manent Second battalion, and the other 23f officers 1t is provided in the last section of the bill, shall, on the conclusion of hostii- ities be either absorbed by filling any va cancies existing in the other companies Of the service or by an honorable discharge as may be deemed necessary to reduce the commanding officers from the army to the number now provided for by the first sec- ton of this act.
 State Troops as Organized
 The following important proviso was of- fered by the committee as an amendment: Provided, that in the event of 0 call by the president for either volunrce $ or the IT ilitia of the country, the president is au- hoized to accept the quotas of troops of the various states and territories including the District of Columbia as organized un- der the laws of states and territories in- cluding the District of Columbia. The debate on the bill was spirited, MT. Underwood (dem., of Ala.) vigorously op- posing the measure
 At 1855 a. m, without completing the con- sideration of the bill, the house took a cess in order to attend the funeral of Sem ator Walthall.
 The house reconvened after Senator Wall thall's funeral at 2:5O D. m., and resumed the consideration of the army reorganiza tion bill. An amendment offered by Mi. Bailey was adopted which provides that the army at the end of the war should be reduced to a peace basis by the transfer, in the same arm of the service or honora- ble discharge under such regulations as the secretary of war may establish "of supernumerary commanding officers and men,"
 Passed Without Division
 The bill was then passed wi.hnat dvi- sion and without further amendrcnt Tie remainder of the day afte o'clock was devoted {. eu ogies upon tfe life and public service of the late Senator Earl. of South Carolina. The following members paid tributes to his memory: Messrs. Elliott, of South Carolina; Hamilton of Michigan; Terry. of Arkansas; Talbsrs, ot South Car olina: Lanham, of Texcs; Barrows uf Mas sachusetts. Stokes ot South Carolina; Nor ton, of, South Carolina, and Lottmcr, of South. Carolina.
 As a further mark of respect the house at 4:15 rs-Tn. adjourned until Monday.