New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-22
PRICE THREE CENTS.
FIGHTING THE ARMY BILL
PURPOSE OF THE DEMOCRATS TO DE-
FEAT 1T ANNOUNCED.
THEIR INTENTIONS OPENLY DECLARED By
SENATOR COCKRELL-PROsPECTs OF
AN EXTRA SESSION INCREASING.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRlnuNE.I

AN EXTRA SESSION INCREASING.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRiBUNE.l
Washington. Feb. 2l.--The Hull Army Reor-
ganzation bill taken up this afternoon in
the Senate to allow Senators Hawley. Proctor.
Warren and Cockrell to make some prelimi-
nary statements about the scope and urgency OF
the legislation reported by the Military Affairs
Committee and further consideration Of the
measure was then postponed until Thursday or
Friday. possibly until next week. Tomorrow
being Washington's Birthday Mr.. Lodge fol-
lowing a custom of some years standing. VIII
read the first Presidents Farewell Address.
after which euogies will be delivered on sena-
tor Morrill, Mr.. Frye has given notice that he
Will ask the consideration on Thursday OF the
River and Harbor Appropriation blll-a meas
ure likely to consume at least one or two
sions. As the Sundry Civil Appropriation bill
is TO follow closely after the River and Harbor
BILL Army legislation will probably not get the
clear right OF way again FOR several days.
Under these circumstances the passage Of the
Hull bill in its present form seems highly i'm
probable, and as its friends arc declaring that
neither they nor the President will accept any
thing short Of the permanent scheme of increase
adopted by the House. the feeling that an extra
session Of the LVIth Congress may after all bs
caused by the failure Of all compromises is
again gaining strength. The more conservative
Republican leaders still hope to avert an extra
session by extracting some further concessions
from the minority managers. now arrayed
against the passa 2e OF the Hull me Ore. But N
the President desires the success Of the House
bill as it stands, and vii consent TO approve
nothing less, the embarrassments of another
session in March or April Will have 10 be faced
nmty possible
Secretary Alger does not seem 10 consider an
immediate reconvening Of the two houses at all
probable, for he has invited the members Of the
military committees Of the two branches 10 ac-
company him on his approaching trip to Cuba
and Porto Rico on the Government transport
Berlin. II is understood that most OF the Con-
gressmen invited have sent acceptances so that
many agreeable calculations will be spoiled II
deadlock on Army legislation ensues. Secre-
tary Alger and his party hope TO sail from New
York on March g.
SENATOR HAWLEY'S SPEECH
Mr. Hawley said that he did not see how any
body could have voted against taking up the
bill for it was evident 70 all that something
must be done 70 strengthen the Presidents arm.
He thought there could be no doubt that the
Spanish Cortes would ratify the Peace Treaty
within the next two or three days With this
proceeding concluded and the exchange COM
pleted the Army necessarily must be reduced 10
IT'S original dimensions Of 2I0o. unless some
law should be enacted. This was to occur when.
in the judgment Of military experts. the country
was likely to need an army Of a hundred thou
sand Even Mr. Cockre was willing 70 concede
large army. For this the country should be
duly thankful but Tor himself he could not sane
tion the proposition to create large forces OF
native troops as proposed by the Cockre bill.
He contended that the Filipinos We're a revo-
lutonary people. and prophesed that native
force would join Aguinaldo within forty-eight
hours after its organization. Hence he predicted
a grand and calamitous failure OF such an ex-
pertinent Mr. Hawley wanted an army OF Amer
leans entirely The President could be trusted.
Are We" he asked afraid Of our Army? IL is .
as much under our control as tho key OF piano.
through appropriations" II 50 disposed. the
Army could be starved into submission at the
end Of year. Dewey had taken possession OF
the Philippine Islands. and IT rested with US 10
take care OF them We could not sell or give the
islands away without creating a general war,
nor could we abandon the islands and their peo-
ple to their fate The responsibilities were ours.
and we should accept them before God and the
world
CRITICISED BY MR. MITCHELL.
Mr. Mitchell Of Wisconsin. also a member ot
the Military Committee, followed Mr. Hawley.
He criticised the Hull bill. saying that # was
not. as asserted. a reorganization bill as the
only material change in the present system was
I'm the artillery He then took up various de-
tails Of the bill outlining his objections to or
arguments in favor Of them one by one The
bill was defective in failing 70 arrange the
status Of the Adjutant-General toward the
Commanding General. Mr. Mitchell oontended
that much OF the disc0rd in the Army az present
was due to lack Of a clear understanding OF
these relations He hinted at the opinion that
the increase proposed was due 10 the sugses-
tions Of Army officers. and said he would no
more accept their views on this point than he
would a toreador's on the morality OF bnn-hght-
ing He agreed there should be- A o." more
troons in this country but IN providing fOr this
increase he would confne II 20 the United
states proper and not extend II @ The tinted
states improper" This remark caused burst
of laughter on the Democratic side oi the chah-
ber. and with it Mr.. Mitchell ended nf speech
REPUBLICANS MUST KEEP QUORUM
Mr. Proctor OF Vermont was about to pro-
coed when Mr. Cockre suggested the aosence
OF quorum. thus giving notice 70 the Repuoh-
cans that II they would do business on the Army
hill they must keep a sufficient number Of mem
hers in their seats for this purpose.
Mr. Proctor then offered his amendments pro-
posed Yesterday. He said that II the present
bill became a law no proper reorganization or
the Army could be expected for twenty-five
wears Under the present system there was a
constant scramble TO get out ~ the nghiing
branch of the service and into the stan, which
was unseemly The officer with the strongest
pulp and the greatest political influence was
able 10 gain his point
Mr. Warren. OF wyoming. a member OF the