Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-27
DEPENDS ON GORMAN
And Those Who Think Like Him
Whether Congress Has an
Extra Session.
ARMY REORGANIZATION THE ISSUE.

i Latest Compromise Proposed in That Mat
ter-No Signs of a Purpose to Force an
Extra-HOuse Laughs over a Pun Made
by simpson on Cannon-Report on Beel
Supplied to the Men at Camp Thomas
All Very Good.
Washington. Feb. 27.-Unless it should
happen that congress fails to pass the
army appropriation and reorganizatiO ton
bills this week-which state of affairs is
not eXpected-there viii be no congress
10 report a week from today. 1t viii
have ended it's session as the clock
points to noon on Saturday and be de-
clared adjourned in both branches sine
die. II the army bills faiI-then an
extra session is as sure as anything can
be that is controlled by man. In
the senate Saturday German raised an
objection to the army reorganization
bill in that it did not specifically pro-
vide for absolute disbandment OF the
increase of soldiers provided for on a
certain and fixed date.
Latest Phase of the Subject.
The latest phase of the subject is
presented in a compromise planned by
the party leaders in the senate. after
comforting with the executive authori-
ties. The compromise proposes only q
slight permanent increase of the regu-
lar army. and authorizes the president
until July l. 1901. to maintain the regu-
lar army at $1,000 and to raise a force
of not more than $4,000 volunteer in
fantry organized as thirty regiments.
This plan is now pending before the
senate. The week opens with the com
promise before the senate. but it is i'm
possible to say how long it may con-
tinue To demand the attention of that
body. The best opinion is TO the effect
that a vote viii be secured today. but
this depends largely upon the temper of
German and his friends who insist upon
the amendment of the army bill so as
to surely curtail the size OF the army in
1901.
Would Force an Extra Session.
II the debate should he continued 20
any considerable length the action
would be generally accepted as indicat-
ing purpose to force an extra session,
as all admit that with as many appro-
priatiOn bills as are pending il is i'm
practicable to give very much more
time to the army bill and still pass the
supply bills before the 4th inst. There
is yet no danger of failure of either the
army bill or the appropriation bills.
No senator can he found who aVOwS
himself desirous of forcing a called ses-
sion. Hence the general belief that all
these measures viii become laws and
when congress adjourns for the session
next Saturday the statesmen can go
home with the reasonable certainty Of
remaining there if they so desire until
December.
Close Call for Appropriations
The state Of the appropriation bills is
such that the situation might well cause
alarm We're il not for the almost uni |
versdl Cesire on both sides of the house |
To obviate the necessity of an extra ses-
sion of congress. Only three of the four |
teen supply bills have gone to the presi- |
dent-the pension. Military academy |
and consular and diplomatic. Six have |
passed both houses. Five of these-the |
executive and judicial. post |
office. agricultural. District Of Column |
bia and InCian-are in conference. The |
river and harhor bill has been referred |
to the river and harbor committee Of |
the house. The sUndry civil bill has |
passed the house and is in the senate. |
The naval bill has only passed the |
house. The army appropriation is be-
ng considered in the house. and the for
ifcations and general deficiency are
-et TO be acteC upon by the house.