The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-21
|EMERGENCY WAR MEASURE PASSED
$500 Through the House at the Urgent Solicitation of
q President Mckinley and Secretary
of War Alger.

power from them. Can you consistently
change that and hasten its passagey'
Mr.. Johnson. rep, Ind. at this point
attempted to secure time TO address
the house regarding his attitude on the
general situation. IL war was to come.
ne said. he was ready to support any
measure to prosecute IL to a successful
conclusion. But before hostilities be-
gan. he thought the house should give
him a chance to speak. The request
met with nue. opposition and was re-
fused.
Mr.. Cox. dem.. Tenn. the senior min
ority member of the committee. gave
the bill as modified his Endorsement.
Mr.. Marsh. rep. ILL.,, and Mr.. Sayers
both expressed the opinion that this
measure should be passed forthwith.
We were on the verge of war. The
measure was asked for by the presi-
lent and the secretary OF war. said
Mr.. Sayers. and there should be no
further clubbing.
The question arose as to whether un-
der the provisions of the bill. additional
legislation would not be necessary to
permit the president To call out volun-
teers.
TIC meet this defect Mr.. Lacey offered
an endme authorizing the presi-
dent to raise volunteers when congress
shall have authorized him to do so,
Mntn he mas bttn uutiloTlLtu " ~
into the actual service OF the United
States the militia OF the several states"
The amendment was adopted. Mr..
McMillin, DEM, Tenn. moved To reduce
the term of enlistment of the volunteer
forces for three years, as provided in
the bill. To one year. He thought many
of the young men of the country would
not be willing to enlist for three years
Mr.. Hull replied that II was not ex-
- - .A..I1 hA N Inn0
one unless Spain resorted to guerilla
warfare, but he did not believe a three
years term would terrorIze the young
men. The amendment was defeated.
Mr.. Handy offered a substitute. au-
thorizing the enlistment of 400. 200 men
for the present war. He said IL was
distinctly a temporary measure under
, the approval of eminent military au-
thorities. The substitute was lost.
Mr.. Talbot. dem, s. c., warned the
\ house that war with Spain was not a
light thing Gentlemen who thought II
would be over i'm a few days would be
sadly disappointed, in his mind. Il re-
membe at the opening of the last war,
said he. men at the North and South
believed 1t would not last 30 days. L
heard a man agree TO drink All the
blood that was spilled. Every country
i'm Europe may be drawn into the en-
counter before we are through with
Spain"
Mir. Little. DEM, Ark, offered an
amendment which was agreed TO, pro-
iding that the Indian territory shall
furnish its quota
Mr.. Linney, rep. n. c., offered an
amendment providing that nothing I'm
the bill should be construed To prevent
companies and regiments from select
ing their own officers. The ~tyrannous
discipline of officers. he said. was more
dreaded by soldiers than the bullets ana
bayonets of the enemy.
Mr.. Grosvenor. rep. o., vigorously
opposed the amendment. Its adoption,
he said, would SOW a seed OF sin that
would grow up TO death. IF | de-
cided to make the army which was to
fight this wal a caucus of war politi-
clans" said he. Il would adopt that
amendment" Mr.. Grosvenor referred
to the experiences Of the late war
which. he said, was against such a
system. More than one-half OF the
officers enlisted at the beginning OF the
wal were retired within a year or two
on account of their unfitness.
MIR. Pearce, dem. Mo-, took the sam
view. The election of officers was DE
structive OF discipline efficiency
Mr.. Talbert challenged this statement
and referred to the experience OF thu
confederate army.
This drew from General Walker. rep.
Va. the statement hat his experience
in the confederate army had taught hin
that an army that elected Its own ON
GERS was wholly inefficient. He de
clared that all men were not brave
While all men would tight IL properl,
disciplined and led. many could not b
counted upon in the hour of DANCE
when inefficiently differed. The Lime,
amendment was defeated.
An amendment was adopted provid
ing for a chaplain for each regiment
An amendment was adopted proNidini
thai regimental and all other medica
officers should keep daily records of al
officers or men sick or ant
that upon the disarmament of the or
r~anization they should be filed i'm tn
records of the pension war depart
ments. Section 10 was amended so q
TO provide that the governors OF states
instead Of the president. might appoin
officers in the regular army to the grad
OF field officers. in the volunteer army
such appointments TO depend upon TN
counsel of the president.
MIR. Cannon, chairman of the appro
priation committee. offered as an add
tional section an amendment providin
that a government employe CALLED int
the military or ava service of tn
United States. while In active servic'
should be granted leave OF ABSENCE an
upon honorable discharge should be en-
titled TO resume his employment at tn
same pay. and IL also provided wher
necessary for temporary appointment
to iii vacancies.
Mr.. Grosvenor opposed the amend
ment. 1t might be necessary. he SAT-
at some time to offer such an induce
ment la secure enlistment. but wit
IL. 900. 900 able bodied men there was n
reason why these favorites Of the go,
should be shown addition;
favoritism.
Mr.. Cannon aid there were lett'
carriers, clerks and Others I'm the pull
lie service who were anxious To emil
i'm the volunteer service. and the
should be allowed to do so.
Mr.. Faris. rep.. Ind. said the amen'
ment was the legitimate outgrowth
the civil service humbug. This prop
sition contained the biggest bounty ev'
contemplated in enlisting soldiers. I'll