The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-01
is PASSED..
The Army Reorgan-
ization Bill.
SEVERAL CHANGES.
President Has a Good Deal
of Discretionary Power.

Washington, Jan. 31--The bill to re-
organize and increase the standing
army to about 100000 men, but leaving
the president authority to reduce the
size of infantry companies and cavalry
troops to 80 men each, thus fixing
passed the House today by a vote of
16S to 125.
This was the result of a week of hard
and often picturesque fighting on the
floor during the progress of which the
opposition compelled those in charge of
the measure to give this discretionary
authority to the president and to make
other notifications, among which was
a reduction of 331 in the number of staff
officers.
In consequence of these notifications,
the republican opposition practically
vanished and on the final vote but six
republicans voted against the BILL
Messrs. Barber of Maryland, Connolly
of Illinois, Loud of California, john
son of Indiana, McEwan of New Jer-
sey and Wadsworth of New York.
This republican detection was, how
ever, almost offset by five members of
the political opposition who voted in
favor of the bill--Messrs. Berry of Ken
lucky, Mcclellan of New York, Nc
Aleer of Pennsylvania. Taylor of Ala
bama and Skinner (pop.) of North Car
DINA
The galleries were crowded through
out the day and every member who
could possibly be here was on the floor
to record his vote on the final roll call.
The program today included a provis-
ion for two hours of general debate,
which was occupied by Messrs. DalzelI
of Pennsylvania and Hopkins Of Him
OILS, in closing for the majority, and
Messrs. Bailey of Texas and Settle of
Kentucky for the opposition. But this
program was smashed owing to failure
to complete bill under the five minute
rule before o'clock, the hour set for
the vote
Among the important amendments
adopted before the vote was taken to-
day was one to exclude the appointment
of civilians to positions in the engineer
corps, one to abolish canteens and the
sale of liquor in camps and one to strike
out the provision for additional pay for
commanders serving in the West Indies,
the Philippines and Alaska.
The amendment of Mr.. Cummings of
New York, to prohibit the use of troops
in the several states to suppress riots,
etc, except upon the application of the
states, was defeated by large major
lity.
The motion to recommit with instruc-
lions to report back the minority sub
stitute commanded only two republican
votes and was lost, 1T to 10.
The bill as passed provides in addition
to the general officers and staff depart
ments, for IL regiments of cavalry Of IL
troops each, IA coast batteries, "a field
batteries, so regiments of infantry of
70 companies each, a corps Of engineers
and one regiment of engineers an ord
nance department and signal corps,
the latter with 625 enlisted men. 1t also
gives the president discretion to recruit
the organizations serving in Cuba, Por-
to Rico and the islands Of the Pacific
in whole or in part from the inhabitants
thereof.
Before the House adjourned today,
the river and harbor bill was formally
called up in order to make it the I'M
! finished business in the committee of
the whole.