Evening star., 1899-02-01
PASSED THE ARMY BILL
Party Lines Pretty Well Drawn in the
House.
Republican Opposition to the Meas
ure Practically Vanished, but
Six Voting Against 1t.

The House yesterday afternoon passed
| the army bill by a vote of 16S to 125. The
| bill, amended in the House, gives the
President authority to reduce the size of
infantry companies and cavalry troops to
sixty men each, thus fixing a minimum of
about $4,000 enlisted men. The opposition
not only compelled those in charge of the
measure to give this discretionary author
ity to the President, but to make other
notifications, among which were a reduc-
| ton of 331 in the number of staff officers.
In consequence of these notifications the
| republican opposition practically vanished,
and on the final vote but six republicans
voted against the bill, Messrs. Barber
MIDI Connolly Gll), Loud tCal), Johnson
Qnd), McEwan IN. j. and Wadsworth
(N.Y). This republican detection was,
the political opposition who voted in favor
| of the bill, Messrs. Berry tKy), Mcclellan
(N.YD, McAleer (Pa.), Taylor (Ala), dem
ocrats, and Skinner (N.C?, populist.
The motion to recommit, with instruc-
tions to report back the minority substi-
tute, commanded only two republican votes
and was lost, l1I-170.
The bill as passed provides in addition to
the general officers and staff departments
for twelve regiments of cavalry of twelve
troops each, 14t coast batteries, twenty
four field batteries, thirty regiments OF In
fantry of twelve companies each, corps
of engineers and one regiment of engineers,
an ordnance department and signal corps,
the latter with 625 enlisted men. 1t also
gives the President discretion to recruit
the organizations serving in Cuba, Porto
Rico and the islands of the Pacific in whole
or in part from the inhabitants thereof.
Mr.. Hepburn Uowa) offered an amend
ment providing for gold and silver medals
for the two enlisted men in each regiment
holding the best record at target practice.
He offered the amendment, he said, for
the purpose of increasing the efficiency of
he ms in
adopted.
Mr., Warner ull.) moved to strike out
provision to grant to soldiers serving IN
the West Indies or the Pacific additional
pay equal to % per cent of the pay to
which they are entitled.
The amendment was adopted.
Mr.. Bailey of Texas attempted to make
an arrangement Tor an extension of the
debate in order that he and others might
address the House. but there was always
hitch. Finally Mr.. Bailey said: After
all l do not consider 1t of great t1npor-
tance either to the House or the country
that | should address the House. l will
not further embarrass the chairman of the
committee CMr. Hub"
The committee amendments to strike out
the section fixing the age limit for persons
appointed to second lieutenanc'es IN the
army at tWenty-sevcn, and to chapl&inS at
forty years. was adopted.
Chairman Hull asked unanimous consent
for an additional hour of general debate, it
being understood that Messrs. Dalzell (PaJ
and Hopkins Gll) would close for the ma
tority and Messrs. Bailey CTex) and Settle
(Ky) for the opposition.
Mr.. Mahon Ga.) declined to agree eX-
cept upon condition that but one vote
should be taken. Thereupon Mr.. Bailey
released Mr.. Hull from his agreement and
the request was Withdrawn.
Amendments Adopted.
The amendments were then adopted in
gross, after which Mr.. Hay Wa), on be-
half of the opposition, moved to recommit
the bill. with instructions TO report back
the minority substitute. Mr.. Hull demand
ed the previous question, which was order
ed The vote was then taken by ayes and
noes on Mr.. Hays motion.
The motion to recOmmit was lost, III to
10. There were only four breaks from
party lines on this vote. Messrs. Barber
(Md.) and Connolly Qll), republicans, voted
with the democrats and populsts to recon-
NIT, and Messrs Mcclellan On. " and
Cummings On. ", democrats, voted
against the motion. The vote then came
upon the passage of the bill.
The bill was passed-1GS to 125. The
nouncement was received with cheers.
The Senate amendments to the diplo-
matte and consular appropriation bill were
disagreed to and the bill sent to confer
ence.
Mr. Burton (Ohio), chairman of the river
and harbor committee called up the river
and harbor bill and proposed that thirty
minutes be allowed LOT general Debate.
There was immediate objection. lnere-
upon he proposed an hour,
How much is carried by this bill may /
inquirer" asked Mr.. Hepburn Qowa).
Thirty millions"
Thirty millions" repeated Mr.. Hepburn
''and you propose an hour for general oe-
bate. l object
No agreement was reched as to general
debate. The House went through the form
of going into committee in order TO put
the river and harbor bill under cons!dera-
ton. The committee then arose and the
House at 30 pm. adjourned.