The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-08
CHANDLER Is FACtT|OUS.
INTRODUCES IN THE SENATE A
BILL TO ENCOURAGE ATHLETICS.
Provides for Instruction NJ the Ma
val and Military Academies OF
Baseball. Football, Etc., with
Prizes ana Annual Competition.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7-Routine pro-
ceedings OF the senate today were enliven-
ed by colloquy between Chandler, Of New
Hampshire. and Hale, of Maine, over bill
introduced by the former to promote athlet-
ic sports at the military academy at West
Point and the naval academy at Annapolis
Both senator's became facetious and at
times sarcastic over the growth Of athletics
at American colleges, and Chandler adj
vancea the proposition that the cultivation
of such sports as football and similar sports
at the government academy ought to be
given the sanction of law.
The senate win hold no further session
until Monday.
In the senate today Chandler offered res
Notwithstanding the committee on privi-
leges and elections to investigate the right
of w. A. Clark, of Montana, and Nathan
B. Scott. of West Virginia, to seats In the
senate. and to take testimony. The resolu-
tons were referred to tine committee en-
contingent expenses.
On motion of Hale It was decided that
when the senate adjourned today 1t be un-
til Monday next.
Berry offered joint resolution In favor
OF the election OF United States senators
by the people, and gave notice that at
later date he would address the senate upon
the subject
A bill offered by Chandler to increase the
Point and Annapolis academies and to pay
less attention to the higher mental train
ing was the subject of an amusing colloquy
between Chandler and Hale, Of Maine.
Chandler asked that the measure be re-
ferred to the committee on education and
labor
Hale took 1t, he said, to be a blu to
encourage football and other similar games
and he could hardly stand as sponsor for
such a proposition
In a facet.ous speech Chandler replied
that he thought athletic contests among
the college men ought to be encouraged.
1.-The proposition I present is" he said,
that the athletic contests shall be regu-
lated by law and that international and
intercollegiate contests shall occur at dif-
ferent points. Free trains shall be run
by the railroads to these affairs in order
to increase the interest and attendance.
and propose that this shall be done with
out violating the Interstate commerce law.
The title OF the bill sets forth its object
to be: ITO increase the efficiency OF the
West Point military academy and Annapo-
lis naval academy, and to qualify and slim
ulate the American youth for actual mill
tary service by suitable physical training
instead Of excessive mental education"
It provides that the course of instruc-
ton at these academies shall dispense with
the study OF higher mathematics and for
cign languages and substitute course In
athletics to embrace especially golf. bicy-
cling, football and baseball. The bill also
provides for annual athletic contests be-
tween the students of the military acade-
mics at Boston, New York, Philadelphia,
Fittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago, st. Louis,
Richmond, Atlanta. New Orleans, Omaha
and San Francisco, at which suitable prizes
shall be awarded An appropriation suff-.
cient to pay the prizes is provided for. but
the railroads are required to carry free
the cadets to the places Of contests and
also the representatives of such reputable
newspapers as the secretary OF war and
the secretary Of the navy may designate.
Among other bills and joint resolutions
of the day were the following:
BY Foraker, to increase to el00 per month
the pension of Nellie Young Egbert, widow
of the late Col Henry c. Egbert, OF the
Twenty-second infantry. who was killed
In the Philippine war.
BY Harris, joint resolution providing
for the limitation of the time president
shall be elected to one term Of six years,
and making the terms Of members Of the
house four years.
BY Stewart. bill appropriating $175,00O
for the purchase of the submarine boat
Holland.
BY Harris, a bill granting pensions to
persons who served in the Confederate SER
ice and afterward In the army and navy
of the United States.
At 1890 p. m. the senate went into exec
utive session, and at los p. m. adjourned
until Monday.