Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-18
yAyY PERSONNEL.
.r, PASSES TIE HOUSE FINALLY
WITHOUT DIVISION.
ssOVs-SWANSON CASE POSTPONED.
-.,cy Bill Recommitted in Order
correct nm Irregularity-speech
=, On the Nicaragua Canal BIZ !"
the senate.

WASHINGTON. D. c., January IL
n. House to-day passed the navy per-
.,-.s bill. without division, on the final
81. thus accomplishing what the Off
,s-s Of the navy have striven for during
,,re han a decade. BY its provision the
pBs and the engineer corps are welded
ir,o an aInalgamated line. staff officers
an. gwen positive rank, but their COM
neYd IS limited TO their own corps, and
system of voluntary and compulsory
retirement. on three-auarters pay as Tor
The next higher rank. Of forty officers
YEAR IS established, which is designed to
ra-,ove the congestion in the lower rank
,t fortv-fve. The bill also practically
ooualizes the pay Of naval officers with
that Of army officers. Three important
amendments were adopted; One creates
iudge-advocate's corps. another abol-
ishes prize-money. and the third provides
for the retirement on three-quarters pay
Of enlisted men and petty officers in the
navy. after thirty years service.
INCREASE OF MARINE CORPS.
But the most important change in the
bill as reported, was the adoption, after
q hard fight Of a substitute for the re-
organisation of the marine corps, by
which the corps is to consist of 600 en-
listed men and petty officers, with gene
val ,finers and staff. This will increase
the marine corps by 1900 men, and in
crease the cost Of its maintenance $3.50,
GO.
Several unimportant bills were passed,
bv unanimous consent, before the person
rel bill was taken up.
The consideration of the BrOwn-Swan-
son contested election case from Virginia
had been set for to-day, but was post
poned until Thursday in order that the
House might proceed with the navy per-
sonnet bill.
THE CURRENCY BILL
At the beginning of the session Mr.. Nc
Ceary Republican,, of Minnesota. oil
behalf of the Banking and Currency Com
m.ttee, made a statement 10 the eifec
that the vote on the currency bill reporte
40 the last session had been Irregular
taken in the committee, and he therefor
asked that the bill be Tecommitted
This does not mean that the bill is t
D. abandoned?" asked Mr. Richardso
DemocraO. of Tennessee.
40, sir"
CURRENCY REFORM.
"The other side has promised currenc
REFORM" continued Mr.. Richardson, IAN
would like 10 know if the bill is agai
o. be reported
81 ann neither a prophet nor the so
OF d. prophet" responded Mr.. McClear.
Nr. Mitchell Republican), OF New forl
explained that there had been some i
regularity in the vote, and this actic
had been decided upon. There was i
objection. and the bill was recommitte
The House, at 800 p. NJ, adjourned.
Senate Proceedings.
Almost the entire session Of the Sena
to-day was devoted TO consideration
tae pending Nicaragua canal bill
Speeches were made in support of II
measure by Mr. Chiffon, of Texas, al
Nr Turner. Of Washington, and in Of
position to II by Mr.. Spooner, OF Wiscol
SIM At o'clock consideration of Il
bl under the fifteen minute rule, w
begun. and was continued until the clio
q. The session.
Tho first vote reached was on an amen
meat offered by Mr.. Rawlins, OF Cta
vlrh. in brief. provided that the Unit
Safes should have absolute control
o. canal for military and naval purpose
Elh power 10 dictate the use or q
Waterway during the existence OF wa
.ae friends of the pending bill ram
against the amendment and it was q
ie,el by the decisive vote Of 80 10 g.
PAYMENT TO MARITIME COMPAN
provision was inserted in the bill pi
Nlue that no more than no more IN
$4,000 should be paid the Martii
Cana. Company for its concession a
81 Work already done on the canal WI
alI01mmen, was taken substitute me
cure offered by Mr.. Caffery, o. LouisiaI
Tor ODE construction Of the canal by |
a United States. one feature Of which
direction 20 the President TO sect
i the ahrogation OF the Clayton-Bulw
Treaty was before the Senate
AT 4Hl the Senate went into executi
Session. ana at 5.3j adjourned.