The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-02-01

was easily explained by those who knew
him. After Representative Grout of Yer
mont had spoken in favor of the change.
and half 4 dozen other members had dis
cussed pretty much everything else, vote
was taken and the amendment was adopted
almost unanimously.
An unusual position taken by the House
was its opposition TO appointments from
civil life. This was undoubtedly due to
the mess that the Administration made of
its war appointments last spring and
summer. Early in the day Representative
Cromwell of Ohio made stand against
civil appointments in the Engineer Corps.
Mr.. Hull said the provision for these
appointments had been inserted at the in
stance OF General Wilson, of the Engineer
Corps. who had told the committee that it
would be necessary to call on civil life 10
fill the vacancies created by the bill.
Mr.. Bromwell replied that thirty eight
engineer vacancies had been cut out since
General Wilson had so testified and he
thought that TO difficulty would be had in
obtaining the necessary officers. The
Democrats and few Republicans rallied
10 the support of Mr.. Bromwell. and his
amendment striking out the provision fer
appointments from civil life was adopted.
MIR. Lewis of Washington.
Later in the day, Representative Lewis
of Washington reminded the House that
on April a bill to increase the army TO
1Oi 900 men had been introduced. At that
time he had said that he favored the or
ganization OF the army by soldiers not by
gilded military satraps nor By tessellated
society products. The times. he said. had
proved that his views were correct. Every
degenerate who had influence got into the
army. The blame spent upon the Secre-
tary of War should rather rest on the
hos oS ha u.hp inf aTp
had forced the incompetent appointments
The bill now before the House, instead Of
giving 800 commissions. gave 1900 TO the
President to be dealt out as he pleased.
1t would concentrate the ruling families
of wealth in this country, who by their
collateral relationships would form an
oligarchy which would rule the country.
i grant you he continued, all the viz
tues you give TO President Mckinley. but
who shall come after him and who after
him? There must come a time when so
safe President may not prevail. a time
must come. as il has come in the past.
when the Executive will send the army 10
control the local affairs of the States"
He asked for the defeat or revision OF the
bill.
The pay corps section was amended so
as 10 provide for three colonies instead Of
four five lieutenant cOlonels instead Of
eight, and thirty-fve majors instead OF
thirteen.
The Engineer Corps.
The Corps of Engineers was adjusted so
as to provide colonies instead of 10, 1G
lieutenant coloneis instead of l., 30 ma
jors instead of 25, 80 captains instead Of
%. and 40 first and second lieutenants
each instead Of 80.
The Ordnance Department was changed
so as to provide for colonies instead OF
3. lieutenant colonies, 16 majors instead
of IL, % captains instead ~of %, ana %
first lieutenants instead of IS.
No important change was made in the
provisions in the bill for the Signal Corps
In all the departments passed on yester-
day the minimum age at time of appoint
ment was made forty years
Mr.. Hepburn OF Iowa offered new
section providing for greater target prac-
tice. which was agreed TO.
Section II, providing for the recruiting
of natives in the army and for - per cent
increased pay for soldiers serving abroad,
was read. Mr.. Warner of Illinois moved
TO strike out the provision for increased
pay while abroad. He said that he
thought no soldier should be allowed to
marry. If this were the law, soldier
would need no extra pay to maintain his
family at home while serving abroad.
The amendment was adopted and the Sec
ton was approved.
Section IS, increasing the limited retired
list, was adopted.
Representative Fischer of New York Of
fered an extra section providing that Of
ficers of the retired list might be called
upon in times of war. but 1t was defeated.
a section. originally numbered IS. lin
iting the age of second lieutenants and of
chaplains at the time of appointment, was
recommended TO be stricken out by the
mitted second lieutenants and cbaplains
to be appointed without any restrictions
whatever as TO age The committee was
defeated ana the sectloh was retained.
a committee amendment, onered as a
new sectloh oil the Dill. met with Pc
culiar late. 1t read as follows:
That the provisions as TO age prescribed in this
act for appointment TO The position Of judge ad-
N"eSte' PuarIyrinaster' cominsSary, or pay de-
~ IN NO NOT @Py 70 pcisons VINO seiNed
Provided That The age limit ,vber,,r '.'r
in this act. shall not apply to persons sewing
in the regular army: And provided further That
officers OF the regular army shall he eligible TO
.I,lIyi'''i''"' 10 al! u inc stah corps Vi tie
amy
Inc h9st part OF this was stricken out
ana an amendment was oHered TO the see
ono part ana was voted down. AT that
moment before the section itself could
De adopted me hour oil O'Clock arrived
anu me Committee OF the Mhoie rose ana
reported 10 the House. Inc section thus
ieit hanging between the Two bodies was
therebE Iost' leaving the age mint to ap-
ply 10 regular army ofncers and possibly
making regulars ihehglbie for some staff
appointments
The Presidents Power.
The army now consists of some IS Oo0
,o,r,,,,r, .,,d o. ooo ,.oI,,ntaors =. 49,,
az 800 . no 'o'''