The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-31
ARMY BILL IS PENDING.
Final Vote on the Reorganization Measure
to Be Taken Today.
soat IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS ADOPTED.
Army win he Cut Down. but the
President Vested With Tower
10 Increase " at Will.
isrecinl nisra,ch 10 The pest.l

| Especial Dispatch 10 The Pcstl
Washington, January sn.--The debate on
the army bill will close and q vote VIII |
be taken tomorrow. II Will probably result |
| in the passage OF a bill, Hxing tho regular |
army at 10000 mon and giving the rrcsi- |
dent discretionary power TO increase to
| 100 900 at any time. The republicans have
lbecn whipped into line. Tho opponents Of
the bill, however, regard this Capitalization
of power in the hands OF the president rs
even more dangerous than the original
Hui bill. Hon. joe Bailey Will close the
Idcbatc tomorrow for the democratic side.
The house put in a hard days work on
the bill today. The amendments giving
the president discretionary power to re-
duce the size or the infantry companies
and cavalry troops to sixty men each
were adopted and also series of amends
ments to reduce the officers OF tho staff.
A substitute was adopted for the section
providing for promotions which was de.
signed to equalizc promotions, as was also
an amendment to require mental and
moral as well as physical examination
for appointees TO the various staff depart
ments.
Much OF the time today was occupied in
short speeches on the general proposition
to increase the army and annex the Philip
pines. Tho final vote is TO be taken at 5
O'Clock tomorrow.
AT the opening of the session in the
house today Mr. Hopkins rep. ND re-
ported the census bill and gave notice that
he would call it up next Monday
The house then resumed consideration OF
the army reorganization bill under an
agreement that II the bill was completed
today under the fvc-minute rule tomorrow
the time before O'Clock would b. devoted
| to general debate. This arrangement was
made TO give the leaders on each side an
! opportunity TO close.
The first amendment was that which the
. | committee had given notice OF authorizing
the president to enlist only sixty men IN
| a cavalry troop and sixty in an infantry
= company,
!, Mr.. Marsh (Rep., Ill.). who offered the
!, | amendment said that this would reduce
: the enlisted force to $4,000 II the president
= exercised the discretion 1t conferred upon
d him.
al
h | of the committee protested to the house
!, that it was impossible to perfect bill oil
= the floor of the house. He would offer al
q amendment, he said, to have the bill pro
v vide for only sixty men in an tniantr!
a company and cavalry troop. but give TN
t. president discretion to increase the nuinpe
"a to 145 and 100, respectively, this discretion
however, only to be exercised In time
war.
: At this point warm alteration occurre'
1. between Mr.. johnson (Rep, Ind. anu NJ
). Payne (Rep.. n. W, who was in the char
~ the former claiming that the chair rciuso
10 to recognize him.
Ie Mr. Payne explained that Mr.. johnson
u had already consumed much time and n
II felt constrained to recognize other mem
bers. :,
l. TOO much Johnson" shouted Mr.
r. Tawney tRep., Mimi amid laughter,
Mr.. DeArmond Dem, MOI objected !
the amendment on the ground that IN
J, discretionary power was to be exercised !
the wrong direction. The bill, he contend
e ed, should provide for only 10000 men an
the president should take the responsin'll,
a, of increasing II TO 100000. II should nc
provide for 100000 and give tho presider
. discretion to reduce n.
It, Mr.. Marsh's amendment relating TO III
ed cavalry troops was adopied-le5 to 50,
\. Mr.. Hay then offered the amendment {
- which he had giy?n notice and IL was losl
OF what he termed the attempt TO bring ~
IN issue and place the opponents OF the hl
: in a false position. lie was willing TO vol
for bill 10 reorganizo tho army, but !
y was unwilling to vote for an army of 100
re 600. which he firmly believed was TO
o. uecd when congreA adjourned to anne
= foreign territory and foist upon the cou-
II try and posterity colonial policy. I'd
r. bill was sanctioned by the president,
ed had no doubt and the compromise b
1-It Ian
be effect was to mislead the people. us pu
ks pose was and would be to create an arm
o. of 100000.
ii. Mr.. Clark rep. MOI. in characte
" ibtic speech. declared that there WAS
I'm epidemic Of hystcrla in the house and III
'et a member not seized with the malady coi
a. not get hearing.
The democrats had been in favor NJ
ed war TO free people. the republicans we
tn now anxious for war TO enslave pe
RI ple, The republican, ieered when he dr'
Ter picture OF the militarism Of the future
at Mr.. Bland iMo1 declared that the cou
of try. the administration aud congress We
I'D drifting No one knew what the goal "
las 10 be- But II II as the anneyat'on OF
ID Philippines the administration should ayr
,re II. Congress could not lngislato Ia I
dark
Mr.. Berry Dem, Ky.) announced bill
eelf amid an outbreak OF applause or :
republican side. In favor of the reiept.
lie of every foot OF territory we had 1rqu.r
as a result OF the war with Snlin. He ne
by aloft a long list OF names wich be SAID We
!, those Of men who had obtained appoir
Wy ncnts in Tic army because OF inJuen
rse OF grandfathers or fathers OF ,ineles
he aupts. As a democrat he Endorsed the Z
IN. lion OF the peace comInisglon. he said. a
nd he believed 1t was the duty OF the Unit
NJ States to uphold the treaty.; Uphold
ngainst >guinaldo in the Philippines as
upheld 1t against tie spaniards in Cnba
Mr.. Hull said the bill had been ORA
-, nv General Schwann. Major Hnistend a
~ Major johnson. He offered the amer
lie nent giving the president the discretion
rec reduce the number OF cnl'stad men
ace infantry companies from las 10 SO, and
ear was agreed TO. ~
ay. substitute for section .. which
heen agreed 10 by the committee was
rerea. II WAS designed 10 equalize prom
=. lions. To this an amendment was on Z
M eiithorize in time of war The em2i'
no. ment OF retired officers on othe1 than
i've duty. The slsbstitute alii amendm
ON were adopted.
OF An amendment TO tie seetion pToyid
anr,ointrnents In the qnartcrm .ster 81
ntv crsIs department so as 20 provide.
a., .n,ental and moral as well as 'phys,c
cH. t"N.s- .t<na .vhfrh examination was