The times., 1899-03-02

eral of the Army had expressed an exactly
contrary opinion. The House he said, had
the two opinions, and could take its choice.
The President. he thought, would act on
the Attorney Generals opinion.
Mr.. Hull said that this bill gave more
officers per man than any law ever pro-
posed in the United States. He thought
that this might not be an evil. He thought
the bill, as construed by the Attorney
General, provided an ample war time army,
but he did not think that it provided
enough for peace. Especially was this true
of the artillery, which would consist of
only about 5000 men on peace footing.
In conclusion, Mr.. Hull said that he did
not like the bill, but that he thought it
was the best that could be had. and that
he should vote for it.
Mr.. Hay of Virginia opposed the bill on
the ground that it supplied more men than
the Government had asked. 1t supplied,
he said. 100000 men and 5000 officers. He
opposed it. too, because he thought that
it contained conscript Law. Under its
provisions, If fifty men out of a volunteer
company of ninety should vote TO stay in
the army, the other forty could be held.
Mr. Hay said that the only redeeming
feature in the bill was the Limitation that
the army should go back TO % 900 men in
1901. He did not think it right TO vote for
such bill without chance to amend it.
Mr.. Henry of Texas and Mr.. Sparkman
OF Florida also opposed the bill.
Mr.. Marsh said that while the bill was
not all he could wish, it did give the
President the men he needed for the army.
/ II did not make il obligatory Oh him 10
! temporarily increase the regular army and
TO call out $4,000 provisional troops, but
! merely gave him the power.to do so. The
bill. he said. was not bad one when con
| sidered as a temporary measure.
! General Henderson said that he was
| against great standing army, but he
thought that this bill was the best that
could be had. II would protect the country
and could be amended next December He
appealed 10 the House 10 pass the bill.
/ Mr.. Cannon said that the bill would sivt
100. 600 fighting men. II might be imper-
feet as TO officers and as TO organization
/ but il was the men that were needed ant
these it supplied. He thought the Hous'
must choose between this bill and an eXtr;
session.
General Grosyenor OF Ohio said that he
would vote against the bill if he could gel
anything better. but this he thought wa!
/ not possible. One feature OF the bill ht
liked. The United States was in the darl
as to its future policy and temporary
organization was the proper thing until il
was known what the country would need.
Mr.. Sulzer OF New York said he favored
the bill because it was a Democratic meas
ure prepared by the Democratic Senator!
in order 10 uphold the President Of h,
United States, and he thought il should b'
supported by Democratic House.
Mr. Bromwell opposed the bill He oh
iected chiefly TO an admittedly unfair pro
vision regarding the corps of engineers
which would prove injurious to his son
who is in that corps. He said that he OBJ
jected TO being held up by the minorit
and forced TO accept a bad bill whethe
or no.
Mr. Hepburn opposed the bill He sal
that under II a company might range froI
i3 to 1913, a regiment from 81 to 1,5O0. an
the total number of troops enlisted fror
% 600 to 65 600.
Mr Hull denied that he had argue
against the bill. He had, he said, merei
stated the contents of the bill and had fur
ther declared that he should vote for ii.
Mr.. Bailey supported the bill He sal
ii was that or nothing, at.d that he woul
accept the bill II Mr.. HNli would assur
him that no conscription was intended.
Mr.. Hull replied that the President ha
expressly declared that he did not conside
that the bill gave him any such powers a
suggested by Mr.. Hay and Mr.. Bailey.
Mr.. Bailey then said that he thought tn
bill proposed was better than an extra ses
, sion, which the Republicans would utiliz
! in passing permanent army law and othe
obnoxious measures.
Mr.. Steele OF Indiana spoke against tn
bill, and Mr. Shafroth of Colorado, NJ
, Jet of Illinois. and Mr.. Williams of Mis-
sissippi spoke in favor OF it.
Mr.. Henry Of Texas then demanded