Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-03

The present session OF Congress has
been characterized not only by the mo.
mentous questions that have come mn
for consideration, but also by IN.
sharp and spirited debates which hava
been occasioned by them. None OF tha
measures thus far considered has bes,
more vigorously contested than tho
bill to reorganize the standing army 50
as to provide for an increase to about
| 100000 men. After a most spirited do.
bate the friends of the measure were
prevailed upon to accept a modification
Of it's original provisions which gave
the President authority to reduce the
size Of infantry and cavalry companies
to 60 men each. thus making a mini.
mum of strength for the regular army
of about $4,000 men. When the final
vote was taken on the measure the
House divided almost upon party lines,
Six Republicans voted against the bill
and four Populists and one Democrat
voted in favor OF it. the final vote
standing 16S to 126. We have no cues.
ton but what the bill as originally re.
ported to the House by the COMMITTEES
on military affairs was stronger than
the one which. finally secured a pas.
sage. 1t Is already known that the
measure will meet with strong opposi.
ton in the Senate. where 1t is in the
power Of comparatively few men to
secure its defeat by a resort to fill.
clustering tactics. Out of the total
membership OF the Senate the Republi.
cans have but IS. so that IL the meas.
ure were to secure a vote there, and
party lines be sharply drawn. the
Populists and Democrats acting to.
gether. the bill could only become q
law through the casting vote. Of the
vice president, It is unfortunate for
the country that the unbusiness.l like
rules which govern the deliberations of
the Senate make It possible Tor mem.
bers of the minority to defeat by oh.
measures imperatively
needed Tor the welfare OF the country.
it is beginning to become raore
and more apparent that the legislation
necessary to properly deal with the
great questions now pressing upon the
can only be secured by
calling a special session Of the new
Congress. In that Congress the Re.
publicans will have a substantial ma.
jority Of the United States Senate, and
tactics of obstruction cannot be so sue.
employed,
1t must be said, however. that in tAe
passage Of the Hull bill, even as
mutilated by amendments. the friends
Of thoroughly modern standing arpy
capable of meeting the needs Of the
present day and generation, have Sc.
cured a great victory. Compared with
European countries. our new army will
be still a small military establishment
for a nation of 7o,00O.oo0 people. A
very large number Of these troops
could be profitably utilized in the gar
of the coast forts and fortin'
cations which have been in procesSE
construction during the past deea4e
and many of which are now nearing
We should be glad to see the Hull bN
promptly passed by the Seuate, bur
do not anticipate such action in fnas
body during the present session. Inc
would have been glad to havs
seen such business methods employees
during the life Of the present Congress
as would have rendered unnecesesU
the converting Of the new Congress
extra session, but the indications sN
that the President will be Obliged y
take this step in order to secure sn'
imperatively needed for IN
proper conduct Of national AFFAIRS
Mr.. and Mrs. Scott Wilson OF 80
ing, have extended an invitation 70
the alumni of Bates college. Lew