Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1899-02-10
poINCs OF CONGRESS.
rhe bin to recognize and increase


The bill to recognize and increase
the standing army Of about 100000
men. but giving the president author
ity u reduce the size of infantry com
pauies and cavalry troops To 60 men
each. thus fixing "A minimum OF about
$1,000 enlisted r.en, passed the house
BY vote OF los 20 l25 Among the
important amendments adopted before
the vote was T. ken was one to exclude
the appointment % civilians 90 posi-
tions in the engineer corps. one TO
abolish canteens and the sale OF liquor
in camps and one to strike on the
provision for additional ray for com
mand, serving in The West Indies, the
Philippines and Alaska. The amend
ment Of MIR Cummings. Of New York,
To prohibit the use OF troops in several
states To suppress, riots, etc. except
upon the application Of the states, was
defeated hy large majority.
A bin ha, been passed by the senate
granting extra pay 10 the officers and
men of the temporary force Of the
navy-two months extra pay To those
who served beyond the limits OF the
United States and one months pay TO
those who served within the United
States. The prov. Sions Of the bill are
TO apply 10 all such temporary forces,
whether discharged vet or not
The army appropriation bill which
will be taken mp short W Will be framed
on the basis of 100000 men. and Mr.
Hull estimates that IL will carry about
500. 600, 600. The war department. sub
mittcd to congress az the opening Of
the session an estimate based on an
army of 100 600 men at cost OF Sill
OO).OOo, but since then the forces have
been largely reduced.
The house has entered upon the
consideration of the river and
harbor bill and is making rapid
progress Fifty of the IS pages
of the bill was completed in a
single day. The bill appropriates di-
rectly about ST. 500, 900 and authorizes
contracts to the extent of Sis 600. 1000
additional
The river and harbor bin, carrying
slightly more than $50, 900 600, passed
the house by vote OF 100 10 :. This
is the largest majority any river and
harhor bill has ever obtained i'm the
house. The bill attracted little OPP
position and every effort 10 amend ii
in important particulars failed.
The senate has ratified the peace
treaty. negotiated at Paris between
the commissioners of the United states
and Spain some time ago. 10y close
vote of 80 TO 20, or one vote more than
the necessary two-thirds ma iority to
secure senatorial concurrence in a
treaty document
The Encouragement holds that this
government j., no way Liable for dam
ages by the cutting of the British East
ern Extension. Australasia * China
Telegraph companv's cable at Manila
during the war with Spain The in
demnity asked was $4,000.
The house has passed the bin to pay
the heirs of John Smith 81. oo0 i'm salts
faction of Judgment against ten
John H. Brooke for trespaSs and false
Imprisonment while he was lieutenant
colonel of the 3d infantry i'm 1869.
The American NeVspa per, Publish
ers' association have appealed To c7".
greSs for a revocation of the present
duty on paper and pulp.
The senate is busy with the eNpan-
sion and peace treaty questions just
now.
The military academy bill, carrying
about 5000, 900. has passed the house.