The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-10
WORK OF CONGRESS

come so strong that yesterday Chair
man Hull, after Mr.. Henderson of
Iowa, one Of the floor leaders Of the
majority, had threatened to vote to re-
commit the bill, decided it would be
wise, In order to secure its passage, to
abandon their aim of providing direct
~ for a regular army of 100000. He
announced on the floor that the COM
mittee would offer amendments to re-
duce the number of enlisted men to
about 10000, but lodge in the presi-
dents discretion the authority to in
crease the army to maximum OF
100000. These amendments have
been prepared.
MIR. johnson of Indiana. who took q
prominent part in the fight after the
general debate closed declared that
the purpose of the bill was to have an
army of 100000 either by direct au-
thority OF the exercise Of the pres
ident's discretion, and he declared his
purpose to fight to the bitter end the
machinery which was being forged for
a colonial system. Mr.. Henderson. liz
the course of the debate declared his
belief i'll the unwisdom of anneXing
the Philippines. Mr.. johnson said the
vital mistake was made when the
president instructed the commission to
demand the ccssion of the Philippines
The whole debate was spirited and so
intense was the struggle when the bill
was taken up for amendment under
the five-minute rule that the first sec
ton had not been completed when the
house recessed at 5 o'clock.
Particular interest was manifested
in the senate yesterday in n brief
speech delivered by Senator L. c.
platt, New York, OH the general sub
ject of expansion. Mr. Platt took for
his text the anti-eXpansion resolution
offered by Mr.. Vest, but in the course
Of his speech merely touched upon the
constitutional question involved in the
proposed declaration. He spoke in IA
clear, resonant voice. and not only be-
cause this was the first speech he has
delivered in the senate since his re-
turn to the body, but also because the
address was Il thoughtful and we'll
considered statement. he was accorded
the undivided attention of his col
leagues OH the floor and a large audi
encc in the galleries. \ pleasing.
though quiet, vein of humOr ran
through the speech, sharply pointing
his statements. He took strong
ground for the ratification of the pend
ing treaty of peace.
\ resolution was offered by Mr.. Sui
Ivan of Mississippi declaring that the
ratification Of the treaty should not
commit the government to Il colonial
policy.
The pension appropriation bill. the
second of the general appropriation
measures, was passed after some de-
bate.
Late in the afternoon eulogies were
pronounced on the late Representative
Cook Of Illinois. addresses being made
by Senators Cullom, Allison, yelling
ton and Mason.
Washington, Jan. 30. - A spirited
debate was precipitated in the senate
while the diplomatic and consular ap-
preparation bill was under consdera-
ton. The appropriations committee
was sharply criticised for not provid-
ing adequate salaries for some of the
consular officers and secretaries of le-
cations of this government in foreign
countries. and the parsimony of the
government in this respect was de-
nonnced as a disgrace. Mr.. Hale OF
Maine was in charge of the bill, and
despite his protests several amend
ments were incorporated in the meas
ure. The bill was passed, carrying
nearly S1,5OO,OOO.
A bill granting right of way to the
Dakota Southern Railway company
for the construction of a railway line
through the Yanliton Indian lands in
South Dakota was passed.
After going into executive session
the senate adopted the resolution for
the amendment of the rules so us to
provide for the distribution of bills
of the various senate committees in
stead of having them all go to the
committee on appropriations as here
tofore.
The House.
The house continued the considera.
ton of the army reorganization bill.
very little progress was made. the only
amendment adopted being that offered
by the committee to give veterinarians
i'll cavalry regiments the rank. pay and
allowances of second lieutenants. The
time was chiefly devoted to a continu-
alton of the debate on the ACCESSIBILITY
of retaining the Philippines.
Washington. Jan. 31.-An effort on
the part of Mr.. Allison to obtain con-
sideration in the senate yesterday for
the Indian appropriation bill precipi-
tated a running debate which occupied
all the time until the senate. ut 2
o'clock, went into executive session on
the peace treaty. Mr.. Jones of .Arkan-
sas leading the opposition to the
treaty, opened the debate by insisting
that time should be taken for the dis
cussion Of pending resolutions having
a collateral bearing upon the treaty be-
fore the treaty itself was disposed Of
and Mr. Bacon's resolutions were final
ly laid before the senate. After some
parliamentary sparring the resolutions
We're made the text of n strong speech
by Mr.. Carter of Montana. Ordinarily
calm and deliberate in his utterances,
Mr.. Carter yesterday spoke with i'm
paSsiOned earnestness, warning his
colleagues that favorable vote on
any Of the pending resolutions would
be a vote of lack of confidence in the
American people. He declared that