The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-02-28
This Compromise Measure Meets Unexpected
Opposition in the Senate
Limiting the Provisions of the Act to Two Years.The Bill Discussed at
fssMuch Length-Senator Allen Opposes the Bil.Hs Criticism OF
the War and Navy Observation-Disclosures Tnlman Smells
Embalmed Beef~The House Discusses the Army
appropriation Bnl-Mr. Simpsons Reply
to Mr.. Cannon.
SENATE.
to Mr.. Cannon.

Washington, February 25.-After two
hours devoted to the consideration OF
bills on the calendar today the senate
at / o'clock began the consideration of
the compromise army reorganization
bill. which a been agreed upon by
the members of the military affairs
committee. Until a short time before
the measure vas taken up, ii was sup
posed it would be passed today with
out serious difficulty, but when it was
learned by some senators that the bill
provided for a permanent increase in
the standing army, objections were
heard and it became evident that the
measure would have to run the gaunt-
let of sharp criticism.
Senator German, democrat, of Mary
land, desired that the authorization OF
a permanent increase in the army
should be given and prepared an
amendment as follows:
That each and every provision of
this act shall continue in force until
July 1st, 1901, and on and after this
date the officers and men, including
general officers and staff officers, shall
be restored to rank and numbers as
provided for by law prior to April 1st,
1898, except the cadets appointed prior
to July 1st, 1901, and except as provid-
ed for in the act to authorize two ad-
ditional regiments of artillery, approx
ed March 8, 1898"
Speeches in support of the bill were
delivered by Senators Hawley, of Con-
necticut; Cockrell, of Missouri; Carter,
of Montana, and Smith, of New Jer-
sey, and aginst it by Senators Morgan,
of Alabama, and Allen, of Nebraska.
No agreement to vote on the bill had
been reached when the senate ad-
pourned.
At the opening of the session a joint
resolution relative to the Greater Amer
lea exposition to be held at Omaha,
Neb., in 1899 and to encourage the same
by providing without expense to the
government for exhibits from Cuba.
Porto Rico and the Ladrones, and the
Philippines, was adopted.
Senator Allen, of Nebraska, address,
ed the senate in opposition to the gen.
eral features of the army bill. He
was surprised that Senator Cockren
could give his sanction to such a meas
ure. IF there ever was a hideous
skeleton, a monstrosity, a deformity in
legislation, this bill is one" he declar-
ed. 1T is warped, disjointed, dislo-
Gated. 1t lacks science. it lacks CO.
herence, it lacks good sense"
Commenting upon section 9, of the
bill, which gives to cooks the pay and
allowances of ~sergeants of infantry
Senator Allen said ironically that it ev-
identity required a higher order of tai
has been sale about canned beef and
embalmed beef is true" said he, 1.-The
ordinary cook ought to have higher
pay than a colonel, because it would
require a high order Of skill to cook
and serve such food successfully"
% 9 frnrN ho $1,000
Senator Allen adverted to some in the
navy. He regarded it as a glorious
thing that Admiral Dewey had the
presence of mind to cut the cable be-
tween him and Washington and that
it was fortunate for Dewey he was in
a position to sever connection with
Washington.
Then too,'' said Senator Allen, I'VE
have the controversy owe the two
rear admiralS in the navy. Whether
the man who fought the battle result
ing in the destruction Of Cervera's fleet
and won it shall have the laurels of
victory or whether they shall go to a
a subject Of controversy by the navy
department.
honest hearts and honest souls, will
always believe that Schley was the
hero of that battle and won that battle
and I am not ~detracting anything
from the service Of Admiral Sampson,
who. If he had been there, would have
acquitted himself nobly. This seems
to be a game Of b%attledore and shuttle
cock and over in the navy department
they are shedding more ink than
blood"
Senator German said that if one pro-
viso were contained in the bill to the
erect that at h expiration Of the
two years the army should again be
to a peace footing Of q. 900 men
he would agree to it. Whatever h
conditions may be-" he continued,
without the acceptance of the proviso
I suggest you will have an army of 10O,-
600 men until four months after the
term of President Mckinley shall have
expired. The measure will give him
greater power than a president ever
had" Senator Hawley had asked who
was afraid of a large standing army.
In reply he (Gorman) sal that every
state in the union was afraid of it.
He Senator Germany was afraid of it
himself. Sue an institution was con-
trary to the spirit OF our affairs. He
had great personal respect for Mr..
Mckinley, and had no criticism ex-
cept that in his good nature he had
permitted weakness and ineficiency in
the departments. Weakness, I say"
repeated the senator. Time alone can
AS'~oA AASNlC hdd DCCh Lily
thing worse"
Senator Tillman asked il the Philip
pine rebellion could not be done by
volunteers, n Senator German said
he saw no reason why it should not
be; but this was not the desire. The
wish was TO have more shoulder straps
and more men to wear them.
Senator Gorman declared that under
the present cad OF the army a proper
organization of the service could be eff
fected.
Senator Tillman interrupting Senator
German. Then there is nothing in the
bill TO prevent a recurrence of the en-
balmed beef scandal"
Senator German passed OF the ques
ton lightly, saying he knew little
about it.
Senator .Tillman: None of US know
anything about ii yet. perhaps. but
there is SO much OF il in the air We
can smell it."
Il do not konw this" replied Senator
German. "The secretary Of war is a