Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-27

'VV,VVV huoWn as the war loan.
After news Of the Dewey victory was
received. resolutions OF thanks to the
victor were passed, and Congress
the presentation of a sword
to him and medals to his officers.
Although the second session was
absorbed with the war there was time
for much important general legisla-
ton. The annexation 'of Hawaii was
accomplished. by resolution, the
treaty of annexation not having been
ratified in the Senate. A general
law was enacted. provld-
ing for both voluntary and involuntary
Other general measures
enacted were: Prohibiting the killing
of seals in the north Pacific and i'm
portation of seal skins into this coun-
try; appropriating $47S.15l to settle the
Behring sea arbitration: relieving suf-
fering miners in Yukon: establishment
of industrial commission.
The total appropriation of the Sec
ond, or war, session footed almost
1906. 600, 900, of which upward $3.50, OOO,-
900 was for purely war purposes.
The present, or third session Of the
55th Congress. dealt with those far
reaching results growing out OF the
war. Most important Of these was the
consideration of the peace treaty in the
Senate The treaty was transmitted to
the Senate by the President on the Az
of January. 1t was then referred to
the committee on foreign relations, and
after being held for just week by the
committee. was reported Dack 10 the
Senate on the 18th of January. The
Senate had the treaty under consider
alton for less than month, the vote
an ratification being taken on the
9th of February. There was intense
interest in the progress of the question
from the beginning of the discussion
| until the close. and this interest WAS
| intensified by the doubt felt as 20 the
result of the vote. When the Senate
went into executive session OF the 9Th
of February. half an hour Before the
time set for the final vote. the friends
of the treaty were certain Of only IS of
| the IS votes necessary to insure the
adoption of the resolution of ratifica-
ton. Soon afterwards they secured
| promises from Senator Jones of Ne
vada, and McEnery of Louisiana, and
when the vote was taken the result
stood 81 ayes to q nays. or one vote
more than was necessary under the
requirements of two-thirds majority.
While the treaty was exclusively be
fore the Senate. the House had some
indirect participation with subjects
covered by the treaty. AS the branch
originating all revenue measures, ii
provided an appropriation of $40. 00o
to pay Spain according to the terms Of
the treaty. This was first proposed rs
an amendment to the sundry civil bll,
but was ruled out on technical
grounds. Later it passed as an indie
pendent measure. Efforts We're made
to add to it a declaration of the policy
Of the government as to the Philip
pines, but this was defeated by the
| overwhelming vote of 213 t. 81. The
resolution of Senator MeEnery, de-
claring the policy toward the Philip
ferred to the committee 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 in
crease and reorganization of the regular
army. Following the new conditions arts
ing. two plans of army increase were pre-
sented to Congress. The House military
committee first took up the subject. and
after elaborate hearings presented
through Chairman Hull bill having the
approval of the war department. 1t in
creased the army to approximately 100 900
men. When considered in the House the
grade. of lieutenant general was struck
out discretion was given the President to
reduce the size of companies. SO that the
total force would be about $4,000 men and
some other amendments We're made, but
the bill substantially as presented was
40 On
military affairs divided equally on the
bill Gen. Hawley, the chairman, and four
others reporting bill similar to that
passed in the House, while five other SEN
ators made a minority report. opposing
the proposed increase, and suggesting a
plan of temporary continuance of the mil
ditional force of $1,000 to be used in out
lying insular possessions. These several
propositions have aroused wide differ
ences. 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 placed
in compromise planned by the party
leaders in the Senate, after comforting
with the executive authorities. The com
promise proposes only slight permanent
increase in the regular army, as given in
detail. and authorizes the President until
July ]. 1901. to maintain the regular army
at 5000 and to raise a force of not more
than $1,000 volunteer infantry organized
as 30 regiments. This plan is now pend
ing before the otIdtt.
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 unfinished bust
ness Of the Senate, and with this right of
way 1t was kept constantly before the
Senate. when not in executive 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
925 600 shares at 800 each, out of a total
of ,OO0. 600 and that the work of the Mar
thine Canal Co. of Nicaragua. IN ex-
ecuting the work shall be practically I'M
der the direction of the United States.
When this bill reached the House COM
mittee on commerce. all after the enact
ing clause was struck out. and what is
known as the Hepburn plan, drafted by
Rep. Hepburn. Iowa, chairman of the
House committee on interstate and for
eign commerce, substituted. The essen
| tial feature of the Hepburn substitute Is
| in makine the canal exclusively govern
ment undertaking. 1t authorizes the
President to acquire by purchase from
| Nicaragua and Costa Rica the territory
necessary ito eXcavate, construct. con-
| troll and defend a canal" e,c. Such sum
| az is necessary for purchasing the right
| of way Is appropriated. When the route
| is thus secured the President is author
| iZed to have the secretary Of war exca-
vate and construct the canal from pc n,
near Greytown via Lake Nicaragua. TO a
noint near Brito on The racific. The
sum Of SIZE, 900 Is appropriated for the
completion of the work authorized.
| AS it was feared the lateness of the SEES
a. Il,