The record-union., 1899-01-31

designed to equalize promotions. To this
an amendment was offered to authorize
in time of war the employment OF re-
tired officers on other than active duty.
The substitute and amendments were
adopted
Simpson and Mahbn (R.), of Pennsyl-
vania, became engaged in an alterca-
ton which reached it's climax when the
latter denounced the former as dem
agogue
Simpson rose to a question Of per-
sonal privilege, in order to reply. He
termed Mahon a. 'plutogogue," and
said that it was but natural that men
like himself could not get votes in a
State where a conspicuous candidate
for the United States Senator was un-
der Indictment The corporations in
Pennsylvania elected the Congressman,
he said, and it was, therefore, not
strange that there were few Democratic
or Populistic representations from that
State.
In conclusion he raised a laugh by
saying he was proud of being called a
Democrat" hastily correcting himself
he said he meant ''Demagogue." ''Or
Democrat, either" he added, ''since the
Chicago platform has purged the Dem
ocratic party" Democratic applause.)
1.-The gentleman has admitted that he
has been called a demagogue by both
sides of the House." replied Mr.. Mahon.
He has also been branded a dema-
gogue by the people of his own dis
trict, who have voted to leave him at
home" Republican applause)
Cummings CD, of New York, said he
hoped the treaty would be ratified, and
that then the President would notify
Congress what he intended to do. He
gave notice that he would, if given an
opportunity, offer an amendment pro-
viding that none of the troops author
lied in this bill should be used as
posse commitatus or in putting down
strikes or riots except upon the appli-
cation of a Governor, saying he could
not preserve order with the force at
his command
Mahon offered an amendment to the
section providing for appointments in
the Quartermaster- Generals depart
ment, so as to provide for mental and
moral as well as physician examina-
lions, which alone was required by the
bill.
Lands R), of Indiana, speaking to
the general question, contendedl that we
should hold the Philippines in the in
terest of human liberty. The voice of
Aguinaldo, he declared, was no more
the voice of liberty than the voice of
Johnson was the voice of the people of
Indiana.
Simpson, in support Of Mahon's
amendment, referred to the numerous
incompetents given commissions during
the late war, and incidentally to the
fact that Chairman HulPs son had held
Lieutenant Colonelcy. Under the
bill, he said, his son could be appointed
tc a similar rank in the regular army.
81 object" he added, ito creating posi-
tons for a lot of incompetents who
strut about the army and navy club
and the receptions in the West End ar
rayed in the latest Mckinley military
millinery"
The amendment was adopted.
A series of amendments reducing the
number of assistants in the staff de-
partment was adopted.
Mahon protested against the commit
tee amendments increasing the age at
which persons could be appointed to
staff positions from 80 to so years.
At this point warm personal con-
troversy occurred between Johnson (R),
of Indiana, and Lands (R.) of Indiana.
growing out of Lands remarks earlier
in the session.
The committee amendment providing
for 100 dentists with the rank of First
Lieutenants was defeated
Hay CD, of Virginia, protested
against the committees reductions.
They reduced the number of surgeons
and assistants from 500 to 234, and the
number of privates in the hospital SER
vice from 1900 to 100. In all. the re-
duction in commissioned officers on the
staff numbers 331.
After completing the twelfth section
of the bill. the committee rose, and at
8: 55 p. m. the House adjourned until IL
o'clock tomorrow