The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-23
MEN TO MAN THE NEW GUNS.
SENATE VOTES FOR TWO NEW REG
IMENTS OF ARTILLERY

The Bnn Passes by a Vote of 80 To 4.
Bate Of Tennessee, Clay of Georgia,
Chiffon of Texas ana Vest of Mis-
souri, the Senators Voting in the
NeRhtiVe-MOrgan of Alabama
Wants n warship Equal to Amy in
the World Built and Called the
George Washington.
Washington, Feb. PAS soon as the
reading of the historic farewell address
of Washington was concluded by Mr.
Lodge of Massachusetts to-day in the
Senate, Mr.. Hawley of Connecticut chair
man of the military affairs committee
bill, called up the bill providing for two
additional regiments of artillery for ser
vice in manning the heavy coast defense
batteries which Congress has provided
during the past two years.
Mr. Bate of Tennessee objected to the
bill, because it tended to increase the
army, 10 which he said he was unaltera-
bly, opposed. He thought there was al
ready enough troops under enlistments 10
man all the guns now being provided for
the government. He argued that il would
be better 10 assign infantry regiments TO
the manning of these guns than to put
them in charge of raw recruits.
In reply Mr.. Hawley pointed out that
the strength of the army was really de-
creasing in proportion TO the inhabitants
of the country In addition, he said Con-
gress had made large appropriations in
recent years for great guns for forts and
coast defense stations. OF these guns 1879
were guns of large caliber. and delicate
mechanism. To these must he added 2S2
rifed steel mortars already. placed, or
soon to be placed in the, coast defense
stations.
In order that these guns may be prop
erly handled a body. of Trained ertillerists
is necessary. Each Of these great war en-
| gnes requires to handle II as much skill
as ii requires TO run a locomotive or an
ordinary river steamer. The war depart
ment estimates that the 1,600 men which
| this bill calls for will be necessary prop
| erly to man the guns.
Mr.. Cockrell of Missouri said he was
| opposed to an increase in the Infantry or
cavalry arms of the service, but in this
case the country was confronted by Sc
| rious condition He regarded 1t as neces-
sary that the guns provided for the gov
| eminent should be property cared for, and
| for that reason he had consented as a
member of the committee to have the bin
favorably reported.
The bill was then passed by vote OF
50 to4. The negative votes were cast by
! Messrs Bate OF Tennessee, Clay of Cieor-
| gia Chiffon of Texas and Vest Of Mis-
| souri,
Mr. Morgan Of Alabama secured the
adoption of the following resolution:
THAT the committee on naval affairs is
instructed to inquire and report whether
a man-of-war equal at least TO any war
| ship in the world, to be named the
| George Washington, can be buff armed
and commissioned within a period of
! twelve months by the use Of the facili-
ties of the ship yards machine shops,
mines and forests Of the United States
wherever the same are found, and that
the committee has leave to report at any
time by bill or otherwise"
The resolution was adopted without de-
| bate.
At 1 80 o'clock the Senate went into exc
cutive session and at 4 o'clock adjourned
I L.