The record-union., 1899-02-27

army. with total of 1,61O men. These
speedily enacted.
With these war measures were the
important Acts for raising revenue ade-
quate to meet the vast war expendi-
lures. The first of these was the war
revenue Act, designed to raise $l5O,-
100000, and in this connection Con-
gress authorized bond issue of $2OU,-
100000. known as the war loan" After
news Of the Dewey victory was re-
ceived resolutions of thanks to the vic
tor were passed, and Congress author
lied the presentation of sword to MIN
and medals to his officers.
Although the second session was alb
sorbed with the war, there was time for
much important legislation. The an
nexation of Hawaii was accomplished
by resolution, the treaty of annexa-
ton not having been ratified in the Sen
ate. A general bankruptcy law was en-
acted, providing for both voluntary ana
involuntary bankruptcy. Other general
measures enacted were:
Prohibiting the killing of seals in the
North Pacific, and importation of seal
skins into this country; appropriating
S413 Ill to settle the Behring Sea ar
bftration; relieving suffering miners in
Yukon; establishment of an industrial
commission.
The total appropriation of the second
600, of which upward of $3.50, 100000
600. of whihc upward of $3.50, OOO,O0O
was for purely war purposes.
The present or third session Of the
Fifty-fifth Congress dealt with those
far-reaching results growing out of the
war The most important of these was
the consideration of the peace treaty in
the Senate. The treaty was transmit
ted to the Senate by the President on
the 4th of January. 1t was then re-
ferred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations, and after being held for just
a week by the committee was reported
back to the Senate on the 18th of Janu-
airy. The Senate had the treaty under
consideration for less than month
the vote on ratification being taken on
the 9th of February There was intense
interest in the progress of the question
from the beginning of the debate until
the close, and this interest was intens-
flied by the doubt felt as to the result
of the vote. When the Senate went into
L
airy, half an hour before the time set
for the final vote the friends of the
treaty were certain of only 50 Of the sc
votes necessary TO insure the adoption
of the resolution of ratification. Soon
afterward they secured promises from
Senators Jones of Nevada and McEnery
of Louisiana, and when the vote was
taken the result stood 81 ayes to 81
nays, or one vote more than was neces-
sary under the requirement of a two
third majority
While the treaty was exclusively be-
fore the Senate, the House had some
indirect participation with subjects COW
cred by the treaty. As the branch orig
mating all revenue measures. it pro-
vided an appropriation of SOC, zoo. 900 to
pay Spain, according to the terms of the
treaty. This was first proposed as an
amendment to the sundry civil bill. but
was ruled out on technical grounds.
Later it was passed as an independent
measure. Efforts were made to add To
it declaration of the policy of the
Government as to the Philippines. but
this was defeated by the overwhelming
vote. of 213 to "a The resolution of
Senator McEnery declaring the policy
toward the Philippines came to the
House, and was referred to the Conn
mittee on Foreign Affairs, but no final
action is probable.
Another important measure resulting
from the war is that known AS the Hull
bill, or the Hull-Hawley bill for the
increase and reorganiza ton of the reg
uiaf army. Following the new condi-
lions arising, two plans of army in
crease were presented to Congress. The
House Military Committee first took I'D
the subject and after elaborate hear
ings presented through Chairman Hull
a bill having the approval of the War
Department. 1t increased the army to
approximately 100000 men. When con-
sidared in the House the grade of Lieu
tenant General was struck out. discre-
ton was given the President to reduce
the size Of companies so that the total
force would be about 10000 men and
some other amendments We're made and
the bill substantially as presented was
passed. In the Senate the Committee
on Military Aairs divided equally on
the bill, General Hawley, the Chairman.
and four others reporting a bill similar
to that presented in the House. while
five other Senators made a minority re-
port, opposing the proposed increase
and suggesting a plan of temporary
continuance of the military establish
ment at 62.000 men with an additional
force of $4,000 men to be used in out
lying inEular possessions. These sew
eral propositions have aroused wide
differences and it will not be until the
last days Of the session, if at all, that
the final form of the measure can be
determined.
The latest phase of the subject is pre-
sented in a compromise presented by
the party leaders in the Senate after
comforting with the executive authori-
ties. The compromise proposes only a
slight permanent increase in the regular
army as given by detail and authorizes
the President until July /, 1899, to
maintain the army at $1,000 and to
raise a force of not more than 50 900
volunteer infantry organized as thirty
regiments This plan is now pending
before the Senate.
The Nicaragua Canal question also
has taken a prominent place in the
work of this session. At the outset Mr..
Morgan had the subject made the I'M
finished business Of the Senate and with
this right of way it was kept constantly
before the Senate when not in execu-
tive session, until finally passed. The
essential feature of the Morgan bill is
in providing that the United States
shall participate in the construction of
the canal, subscribing for 92o, 900 shares
at 500 each, out of a total of 1000, 600,
and that the work of the Maritime Ca
nal Company of Nicaragua. in execut-
ing the WORK, shall be practically under
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