New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-25
ARMY BILL IN THE HOUSE.
ITS PROVISIONS EXPLAINED BY CHAIR
MAN HULL.
ABLE ARGUMENTS FOR THE BILL BY
MEssRs. MCCLELLAN AND PARKER
VOTE TO BE TAKEN NOT LATER
THAN NEXT TUESDAY
THAN NEXT TUESDAY.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
Washington, Jan. 24-That the subject Of the
reorganization and increase OF the military es-
adjustment excites unusual interest In the
minds OF members Of the House Of Representa-
lives was evident to-day. In the first place, II
was insisted and conceded that a full week
should he allowed for debate and amendment
before final vote on the measure. and in the
second place a large proportion OF the House
listened to the speeches for and against II. II
may be remarked that most Of the speeches were
appropriate and relevant in the main TO the sub
ject before the House-a circumstance as un-
usual a # refreshing
II the argument OF Chairman Hull OF the Mill
tary Committee lacked in any respect It was in
fulness Of explanation OF matters that in his
opinion could be more properly and satisfacto-
rily considered and disposed Of after the bill is
open 10 debate and amendment under the five-
minute rule Mr. HulTs criticisms OF some of tine
adverse propositions suggested by minority
members Of the committee as well as by
certain officers Of the Army we're thoughtful
and considerable. ard the temperate manner in
which they were offered appeared to produce
favora BILE impression. Probably the strongest
part OF the speech. however was the argument
against makeshift Army legislation, the ex-
suits Of which pointed out in a clear
logical and convincing manner
Some members OF the Military Committee OF
course. are strongly and bitterly opposed TO any
addition to the strength Of what they call the
standing army" and they had an inning to-
day. Perhaps they not men who would per-
sonay and knowingly encourage or counte-
nance the idea that an army OF seventy-hve thou
sand or one hundred thousand men scattered
over vast territory with seventy million or
eighty million habtants would be a menace 70
the liberties OF the people" but II not appear
ances and their utterances were against them
The speeches OF Messrs. Cox. OF Tennessee and
Bell Of Colorado Will win and deserve the ap-
plause not only OF everybody who seriously be-
lieves that soldier TO every thousand OF the
population would place republican institutions in
deadly peril. but also Of all those persons in
whose estimation every fundamentally that
may be used in case Of grave emergency 10 sup
press Instruction and prevent mob violence or
public disorder is agency and weapon OF
tyranny.
The speech Of Mr.. Mcclellan. OF New-York a
Democrat in support Of the general objects and
chief provisions Of the bill was strong and able.
and he made some telling points which were
heartily applauded
Mr. Parkers speech the same side Of the
question was also eloquent and rorcble and
commanded the attention OF the House
Mr. Hay, Of Virginia. member Of the Mill
tary Committee, is not captivating orator but
he has sincere convictions on the subject OF
Army legislation which are crystallized in his
substitute for the Hull bill, which a minority Of
the committee has decided to support His
speech to-day an Ingenious one in some
respects, being evidently designed to win tolera-
ton, II not ouspoken approval and substantial
support. from members who are somewhat
vaguely classed as "anti-expansionists" AS to
Mr.. Hays substitute bill. the best that can be
said Of II is that It is a good deal worse and
more inpracticable than his speech in many i'm
portant respects