Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-27
IN THE LAST WEEK
Nearing the Close of the Congress
sional Session.
ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL PASSED
Reorganization Being Discussed in
the Senate.
REV ARD FOR DEIGN AN

At IL o'clock today the Senate began the
last week of the short session of the Fifty
fifth Congress. An unusually large number
of senators were present, owing, probably
to the great amount Of important unfinish-
ed business before the Senate
Mr. Hale (Me) gave notice that Wednes-
day afternoon at o'clock ne would present
resolutions on the death of the late Repre-
sentative Nelson Dingley of Maine
Mr.. Pettigrew IS. d. presented resolu-
tions, adopted by the legislature OF South
Dakota, in favor of placing the railroads
of the country directly under control of the
interstate commerce commission, in favor
of postal savings banks, and to repeal the
law giving Indian reservations immunity
from paying taxes. He took occasion TO
make brief speech on the resolutions. He
declared that the legislation asked for by
the South Dakota Legislature was rot in
harmony with the republican party. The
expressions of opinion and belief in the
resolutions were populistic and socialistic
and directly opposed to the policy and doc
trines of the republican party.
These resolutions clearly show. said
Mr.. Pettigrew, that the people Of South
Dakota, at least, are preparing to leave
the republican party, as they differ from IL
on every principle on which il is founded.
These resolutions indicate the drift Of re-
publican sentiment in the west. which is
opposed to the policy of imperialism, the
policy of expansion and the policy Of plu-
tocracy."
Conference Reports Adopted.
Mr. Cullom Qll) presented the conference
report on the agricultural appropriation bill
and it agreed to.
Mr.. Allison Uowa) presented the confer
ence report on the Indian appropriation
bill. After some explanation Of the report
it was agreed to by the Senate.
Mr. Chandler (N. h offered an amend
ment to the naval appropriation hill au-
thoriZing the President to appoint two vice
admirals of the navy, who shall not he
placed on the retired list until eight years
after the passage Of the bill, except upon
the application of the holders OF the Offices;
the offices to cease to exist when vacated
by death or otherwise.
This bill is intended to advance Admirals
Sampson and Schley.
a bill providing for the holding of two
terms each year of the United States cir
cult and district court of the western dis
trict of Texas, TO be held at Laredo, Tex,
was passed.
Mr. Fate on the Army BiIl.
AT the conclusion of morning business
consideration was resumed of the army re-
organization bill Mr.. Bate CrennD, a
member of the military affairs committee,
addressed the Senate on the general fea-
lures of the bill
He regarded the measure as probably the
mCst important of the present session. 1t
was, he thought, one of the consequences
of the action Of Congress in taking IL Ha-
waii, action unconstitutional as he re-
garded it. He did not approve Of such an
increase of the army as was proposed in
the bill. 1t was such an enormity in that
respect that it has shocked the public. He
Spa -asrNaf-
least we ought to be able to reduce in
stead of enlarge the army. He objected to
the bill because it provided twice as many
men as the eXigencies OF the situation re-
quired; because it made invidious distinc-
tions between regulars and volunteers
against the latter, and because il was an
entering wedge which makes us depend
upon the regular army instead of upon the
consent of the people themselves. He de-
clared that the honor Of the country did
not depend upon our conquest OF the Fill
pinos. He held that the United States
ought not to pay the $2o,o0.oo0 for the
Philippines until Spain was able to deliver
the goods in warranty. If We were COM
PEELED to fight for control in the Philippines
we ought to charge the cost against the
S20,000,Ooo said to be due Spain. Further,
he maintained that Congress ought TO be
cautious about granting a great standing
army, because the President had de-
clared his policy as to the PHILIPPINES and
had not asked Congress for any additional
troops. Until the President indicated to
Congress his policy and purposes no addi-
tional troops should be granted him.
Mr.. Bate said he did not think the situ-
alton in the Philippines was particularly
serious according to the reports from Gen.
Otis. He felt that we ought to do no more
in those islands than to hold what We now
have-W ought to wait until the DENLY COM
mission arrived at Manila and lad had op-
portunity to confer with the Filpinos. Let
send the Bible and the cross ahead of
the army and show a Christian spirit"
said he. by which we can bring about
Cancellation and save the honor of the
country"
Mr.. Money (NIiss) gave notice that on
Thursday he would ask the Senate to con-
slider resolutions concerning the death of
Mississippi.
Mr.. Kenney Del) offered amendments TO
the pending bill providing for the creation
of a veterinary corps, TO corsist of a chief
veterinary officer. with rank, pay and al
lowances of a colonel: ten veterinarians,
each with the rank. pay and allowances of
a first lieutenant of cavalry, and twenty
veterinarians, each with the rank, pay and
allowances of a second lieutenant of cav
airy.
MIR. Kenney made a brief but carefully
prepared technical report in support OF his
amendment. He advocated the passage of
the pending bill, holding that permanent
establishment of 3S 400 men was small
enough for the needs of the American peo-
pie in view of all circumstances. de had
no fear Of the increased army, as n would
be composed of Americans, to whom the
traditions principles and policies of the
United States would be as dear as to any
,,oa,,obar of the limited States Senate