The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-22
SENATOR HHWLEY'S ADDRESS
HE CONDEMNS COCKRELL's PLAN FOR
ORGANIZING NATIVE TROOPS.
FilipinOs, When Armed, He Says,
Would Immediately Join the Rebels
Naval Bill Discussed in the House.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 21-Formal discus
sion of the Hul-Hawley army reorganiza-
ton bill was begun in the Senate this after
noon Mr.. Hawley and Mr.. Warren Repub-
licans, supported the measure, and Mr.
Mitchell and Mr. CockreH Democrats, op-
posed it, while Mr.. Proctor, Republican, ad-
dressed the Senate in favor of some amend
ments which he had proposed to the bill
All the speakers are members of the COM
mittee on military affairs. Mr.. CockrelFs
Speech though brief. was particularly not
able, as he spoke definitely for the opposi-
ton to the army BILL He declared practi-
caly in so many words that the Hull-Haw-
ley bill could not become a law at this ses-
sion. He and those who stood with him
were willing to give the President all the
money and every man he desired, but they
were determined that no great standing
army should be fastened the country
without full and free discussion. The post
office appropriation bill was passed to-day,
Mr.. Butler IN. c., and Mr.. Pettgrew (S
d. having concluded their speeches.
Soon after the Senate convened Mr.. Petit
grew Is. d. presented resolutions of the
Legislature of South Dakota, urging the
senators of that State to support the treaty
of peace. Commenting upon the resolutions
Mr. Pettgrew said that he denied the right
of the Legislature to instruct him, although
he was always glad to hear from the body.
THE present Legislature of South Dakota,
said he, 'is the third since / was elected
senator the last time In one a resolution
was passed indorsing the free and unlimited
coinage of silver. Both houses of the next
Legislature passed a similar resolution. The
-s,, erIr
gold standard. If I should undertake to fol-
low the course laid down by the Legislature
I'd be on almost every side of almost every
public question" He pointed out that ma
jorlty of the legislators were not members
of successive Legislatures and he believed
that on great national questions they were
as likely to be wrong as right.
The conference report on the legislative,
executive and judicial appropriation bill was
agreed to-
MI. Allison reported from the finance COM
mittee House joint resolution amending
the act of June 13, 1898, by adding to it a
provision that whenever any bond or note
shall be secured by mortgage or deed of
trust but one stamp shall be required, that
being the highest rate required for either
paper. The bill was passed.
QUAY AND ALLEN HAVE A TILT.
Mr.. Quay. chairman of the committee on
public buildings and grounds, presented a
batch of reports favorable to the erection
of public buildings in various parts Of the
country.
These reports brought Mr.. Allen to his
feet. He charged that the committee had
not acted on the bills. He also said that
public building combination existed and that
none but a favored few could gain consid-
Grafton by the combination.
Il want to say to the SENATOR" replied
Mr.. Quay, emphatcally, that his statement
that there is any combination is unwar-
ranted and false. 1t is not true in any
sense
A message was received from the House
transmitting the bill passed by that body
appropriating $20000,O0O to be paid to Spain
in accol dance with the terms of the Paris
treaty. 1t was referred to the committee
appropriations.
Mr.. Hawley was recognized to speak on
the army reorganization bill and as he pro-
ceeded was given very close attention. He
said he did not see how anybody could have
voted against taking up the bill, for it was
evident to all that something must be done
to strengthen the Presidents arm. He
thought there could be no doubt that the
treaty within the next two or three days
With this proceeding concluded and the ex-
change completed the army necessarily
must be reduced to it's original dimension Of
$1,000 unless some law should be enacted
Even Mr.. Cockrell was willing to concede
a large army For this the country should
be duly thankful, but for himself he could
not sanction the proposition to create large
forces of native troops as proposed by the
Cockrell bill. He contended that the Fill
pinos were a revolutionary people and
prophesied that a native force would join
Aguinaldo within forty-eight hours after
its organization. Hence he predicted
grand and calamitous failure of such an ex-
pertinent. Mr.. Hawley wanted an army Of
Americans entirely.The President could be
trusted. The responsibilities are ours and we
should accept them before God and the
world.
MITCHELL RAISES A LAUGH.
Mr.. Mitchell, also a member of the mi-
tary committee followed Mr.. Hawley. He
criticised the Hull Bill. He thought the
increase proposed in the army was due to
the suggestion of the officers, and said ne
would no more accept thier views on this
one point than he would a torreador on the
morality of bull fighting. So far it was
matter Of mere conjecture how many sol
diers would be needed in the Philippines,
Cuba and Porto Rico .As for himself he
would have no one In those countries to
shoot our ideas into an alien people. He
agreed there should be a few more troops
in this country. but in providing for this
increase he would conflne ii to 1.-The United
States proper. and not extend 1t to the
United States improper" This remark
caused burst Of laughter on the Demo