New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-26
HOT FIGHT OVER ARMY BILL.
THE PRESIDENT SAVAGELY ATTACHED
AND ELOQUENTLY DEFENDED.
AN ASTONISHING TRADE FROM MR. JOHN
SON. OF INDIANA. AND MAsTEHLf
REPLY FROM Mr.. DOLL
YER. OF IOWA.


Washington Ian 25-The promise that the
debate IN the House Of Representatives on the
Army Reorganization bill would be lively ana
interesting as well as important was fully re-
Ieemed to-day AZ happens on most occasions
Of the sort the debate. which commanded 'ne
attention and unhagging interest Of the HOUSE
and Of the spectators in the crowded sa"e'.e'
for nearly three hours. related only incdehtaHS
10 the measure under consideration. It's chieI
and overshadowing feature was a polemoal
and orstorical duel between Mr.. Johnson OF
Indiana. and Mr. Deliver. of Iowa They dill
fer widely in physical and mental Characters
tics. but were pretty evenly PATCHED
THE SPEAKERS CONTRAsTED.
Mr. Johnson is tall and angular. is asceuc IN
vlsage and appearance. has sandy mar ana
corresponding disposition, and possesses a Won
derful gift of volubilitv. II has been SAID OF
him bv one Of the critics Of his oratory 'ha'
Mr. johnson can talk indefinitely and without
apparent physical or mental eXertlon al IHe 'a'7
NJ two hundred words minute without MIA
ing the lenses mispiacing an ahVeIO i"
annearance and manner Mr. Deliver is the op-
posite Of Mr. Johnson He is rotund OF ngure'
his face beams with good humor and henevo-
lence ne is an optimist in disposition Out ear
nest in his convictions and with a ready COM
persuasive orators As trial lawyer Johnson
nrobablv outclasses Deliver as he also does
in the art Of invective. but the latter enjoys
countervailing advantages in the sunny us
rosition which tempers his Wit and sarcasm d.
we'll as in his greater breadth OF VISION anu a.
appeared to-day. in his supreme cohhue"0e IA
the patriotism and good sense Of the Anler'ca"
people
As q Republican Mr.. Johnson was distinctly
AZ a disadvantage, and. party CONSIDERATIONS
aside he was still worse Of, and ne did hot
seem m be Obvious Of the fact That ne shoulu
occunv time allotted 70 him by the temporary
leader Of the Demo-Populist minority opposed
- the nending bill would have been a matter
Of slight consequence II he had used II for that
nurpose. That he should have taken advantage
q, the opportunity not only to assaIl his own
marty and the Administration. but 10 Why
and i-npugn the public character and motives
~ The Executive was more serious matter
Probably the extravagant demonstrations OF
annlause. hearty and spontaneous as they were
with which the Demo-Populists rewarded MS
utterances to-day did not sound sweetE IN
Mr. Johnson's ears. for he must have realized
that they would not be echoed by one In hfty OF
the neoule % the Congress district whose
mouthpiece he will to be on March 4
OLD MEMBERS AsTONIsHED.
His outbreak to-day astonished even The older
members Of the House. who had become IN
measure accustomed TO his eccentrlclties o.
thought and expression. They felt that ne had
ceased 10 be a critic and become common
scold. and said that he must have been the VIC
Tin Of a slight which. however unintentionaL ne
could not now forgive. This view OF the mat
Ter appeared - be a reasonable one 70 mem
bers who knew that he had recently refused 20
support a public measure which he proiesseu
70 be in favor OF because its enactment "oulu
help Mckinley out OF hole
One member being asked his OPINION Of MI
Johnson's TRADE to-day said He reminds me
~ little story once heard about a distin-
zuished senator Of the United States. long since
dead one day a statesman Of note said 70
President Lincoln or Secretary Seward forgot
which Of them. Why, do you know. Sen
ator S. does not believe in the Bible" Why
should he2 He did not write it, was the SEN
tentious reply Now. I suppose II President
Mckinley. instead Of regarding the opinion and
sentiment ~ the American people. had listened
n and followed Johnson's opinions and senti-
nents. everything would have been iovely-at
least so far as Johnson was concerned.
Mr. Johnson is a man however whose in
tegrity and the honesty n whose motives are
above and beyond suspicion. and II ne talked
to-day Ike an advocate who held a retainer
from Aguinaldo's emssary in Washington, II
would he the grossest injustice 70 impute IN
patriotic or mercenary motives 20 him. Wnen
he spoke. therefore, Of the Filipino Govern
rnent and its representative in Washington VINO
has been vainly knocking at the door or the
state DEPARTMENT for recognition" it Is chart
table. at least. TO consider that ne was INDUCING
in A figure Of sreech inspired by superheated
Indiana imagination.
MR.. DOLLIVERs FINE SPEECH.
OF Mr.. Delivers reply 70 Mr.. Johnsons TRADE
II is not practicable 10 make a satisfactory sum
/ mary The entire speech should be read nv
every lover OF his country and OF truth and
| Justice Il was a speech that appealed not only
/ 70 the highest ana keenest sense Of patriotism,
but TO the hard common-sense Of everybody
who listened 70 it, as IT will 10 every unpreju-
/ diced person who may read 4. and it Will add
to the high reputation which the brilliant Iowan
has already achieved
MI Gibson rep. TENN the Arst speaker
to-day He advocated the passage Of the Dill
Mr.. JOHNSON ATTACKS THE BILL.
Mr. Johnson rep. Ind then took the door in
opposition to the bill As he arose the Demo-
Gratis dpplauded and members gathered around IN
anticipation Of some sensational utterances.
While the President. in the presence Of what
he may conceive 20 be a popular demand. he
began "is hurrying the Army and Navy across
the seas 70 iunict upon alien people a govern
mont against their will propCse foarle-sN. win
out regard 70 its effect upon my personal fortunes
to make plea for liberty and an argument
against the preparation OF injustice
The country was on the verge 81 crisis said
Mr. Johnson Those who failed 10 rush forward
In support % the schemes OF the imperalists were
being denounced here and IN the public press As
"Spaniards" and who failed IN their duty HIS
answer was that II the Chief Executive would
break his silence and openly state that h did
not propose enslave the people Of the Philip
pines the present strained relations In the Islands