The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-03
LAST WEEK Of CONGRESS
Passing the Appropria-
ton Bills.
The FOREIGN POLICY

MAKE Scnley ana Rear Aus
miraIs-An Amendment TO Make
Wheeler Major General Ruled Out on
a Point of Order-Vast Appropria-
tons of This Session
SENATE.
Washington, February 27.-At IL
o'clock today the senate began the last
week Of the short session Of the fifty
fifth congress. An unusually large
number of senator's was present, w
ing, probably, to the great mount OF
important unfinished business before
the senate.
Senator Cullom, Of Illinois, presented
the conference report On the agricul-
tural appropriation bill and it was
agreed to.
Senator Allison, of Iowa, presented
the conference report on the Indian ap-
preparation bill, and it was agreed to.
Senator Chandler, Of New Hamp-
shire, offered an amendment to the
naval appropriation bill authorizing
the president to appoint two vice admi-
rails OF the navy who shall not be
placed on the retired list until eight
years after the passage Of the bill, ex-
cept upon the application of the holder
of the office, the offices to cease to ex-
list When vacated by death or other
wise. This bill is intended to advance
Admirals Sampson and Schley.
At the conclusion of the morning
business consideration was resumed of
the army reorganization bill.
Senator Vest a~ntagonized the bill,
although he said he did so with hest
tatiOn, because Of it's strong advocacy
by his colleague, Senator COckrell. He
declared his belief that the war in the
Philippines was not being conducted
with the idea of giving the Philippines
self-gOvernment. Il believe" he said,
that this government is to take the
Philippines as an indemnity for the
war with Spain. 1t has been so stated
in the imperialistic press. But I ask
now whether it is true that the presi-
dent telegraphed to our commissioners
to AXE nothing less than the island of
Luzon, as Porto Rico was worth only
$40, 600, 900 and would not be a proper
indemnity for the war. 1 ask now
whether such a dispatch was sent"
senator Frye, one of the peace COM
missioners: There was not"
Senator Vest: rs the statement true
or falSe?"
Senator Frye: ut is not true"
Senator Vest: "Was there not a dis
patch sent that nothing less than the
island of Luzon would be accepted?'
Senator Frye: 1.-The instructions of
the president when we started out were
to take LuZOn."
Senator Vest: WAS no mention made
of Porto Rico not being sufficient for
the WARP"
Senator Frye: mot at all. The SEN
ator has heard read in executive ses-
sion every telegram, cable and letter
Of instruction that passed between the
president and the peace commission
erS."
Senator Vest: 1.-THE statement l have
made was published in the imperialis-
tic press of the country and it has
never been contradicted until the SEN
ator (Frye) cOntradicted it now"
Senator White, of California, follow
ed Senator Vest in a speech against
the bill.
Senator German offered the follow
ing amendment as a provision of Sec
ton IS: That each and every provision
of this act shall continue in force until
July 1st, 1901; and on and after that
date all the general staff and line Of
ficers appointed to the army under this
act shall be discharged and the mem
bers restored in each grade to those
existing at the passage of this act, and
the enlisted force of the army shall be
reduced to the number as provided
for by Law prior to April LIST, 1898, eXclu-
sive of such additions as have been or
may be made under this act to the ar
tillery and except the cadets provided
for by this act, who may be appoint
ed prior to July 1, 1901; and. provided,
further, that no officer who has been
or may be promoted under existing Law
or under the rules of seniority, shall
be disturbed in his rank. The amend
ment was adopted 6S to none.
The debate was continued until z
o'clock when the bill was passed-55
to 10.
The senate then at 9:35 o'clock, p. H..
adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The house was in session several
hours today and sent to the senate two
more appropriation bills-the army,
which has been under consideration
several days, and the Notifications.
The former carries about 49, 00, 900 and
the latter approximately 81, 700, 900.
The inal conference report upon the
Indian appropriation bill was also
adopted. The only amendment of i'm
portance attached to the army bill to-
day was one giving two months extra
pay to enlisted men in the regular army
who served beyond the limits of the
United States during the war with
Spain, and one months extra pay to
those who served in the United States.
The discussion of the administration
policy relative to the Philippines, which
has been occupying the attention of
the members to the exclusion of almost
everything else during the considera-
ton of appropriation bills for the last
two weeks, was continued today, sew
eral speeches being made on the sub
ject.
When the consideration of the army
appropriation bill was resumed Mr.
Cox, democrat, of Tennessee, made a
short, sharp general speech, saying:
Il will eve vote a cent to put a
bullet in a gun to shoot down those
people over there (the Philippines
who are trying to establish their home
government"
Mr.. Sulzer, democrat, of New York
offered an amendment to increase the
number of major generals to four m
to provide for filling the vacancy BY
the appointment of General Wheeler.