The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-02-01
Result Achieved After aWesk Of PICTURESQUE
and Hard Fighting.
SEVERAL AMENDMENTS WERE MADE.
One Of tho Most important Is That Providing That
Civilians Shall MOI Be Appointed 10
The Engineer Cops.

army to about 100, 900 men, but leaving
the president authority to reduce the
size of infantry companies and cavalry
troops 10 60 men each, thus fixing "A
minimum OF about $4,000 enlisted men,
passed the house yesterday by vote OF
1CS to 1875
This was the result OF week OF hard
and often picturesque lighting on the
floor of the house. during the progress
OF which the opposition compelled those
I'm charge OF the measure 10 give this
Discretionary authority to the president.
and TO make other notifications. among
which was a reduction OF 321 I'm the num-
ber OF staff officers. In consequence OF
these notifications the Republican op-
position was practically vanished. and
on the fnal vote but six Republicans
voted against the bill--Messrs. Barber
tMd), Connolly Ulls), Loud (CaD,
Johnson Qnd). McEwan CN. J) and
Wadsworth IN. W. This Republican
detection was, however, almost Offset
by five members of the political oppo-
sition, who voted in favor OF the bill
Messrs. Berry Uy), Mcclellan On. Y),
McAleer CPa-). Taylor (Alal, Democrats,
and Skinner IN. c.. Populist.
The galleries were crowded through
out the day. and every member who
could possibly be there was on the floor
TO record his vote on the final rollcall.
The program yesterday included a
provision for two hours of general de-
bate, which was TO be occupied by
Messrs. Dalzell of Pennsylvania and
Hopkins OF Illinois. in closing for the
majority. and Messrs Bailey OF Texas
and Settle OF Kentucky for the oppos-
ton. but this program was smashed.
owing to the failure To complete the
bill under the five-minute rule before
O'Clock. the hour set for the vote.
Among the important amendments
adopted before the vote was taken, was
cne 10 exclude the appointment of civil
ians TO positions in the engineer corps,
and one TO strike out the provision for
additional pay for commanders serving
in the West Indies, the Philippines and
Alaska.
The amendment Of Mr.. Cummings OF
New York. TO prohibit the use Of troops
In the several states to suppress riots.
etc. except upon the application of the
states. was defeated by large ajority.
The motion to recommit. with instruc-
tions TO report back the minority sub
stitute commanded only two Republi-
can votes, and was lost, III TO 10.
The bill as passed provides, I'm addi-
tion 10 the general officers and staff de-
partments. for Il regiments of cavalry
of II troops each, 144 coast batteries, "A
field batteries. 30 regiments of infantry
OF II companies each, a corps of en-
gineers and one regiment OF engineers,
an ordnance department and "A signal
corps, the latter with G25 enlisted men.
1t also gives the president discretion 10
recruit the organizations serving in
Cuba. Porto Rico and the islands Of the
Pacific, in whole or in part. from the
Inhabitants thereof.
Before the house adjourned. the river
and harbor bill was formally called up
in order to make IT the unfinished bust
ness In the committee of the whole.
During almost the entire morning hour
the senate had under discussion the
policy Of this country to be pursued in the
Philippine islands. Mr.. Berry (Ark.), in
a speech upon the resolution offered by
Mr.. Vest discussed the policy OF ex-
pansion without reference TO the con
stitutional point involved in the Vest
resolution. He spoke from notes. stat
ing with force and emphasis his ohiec-
llDIS W tire DtlluiHS AANdNS VI ItaNNs re
declared that he would never vote 10
place upon any people policy against
which Lee fought and against which
Jackson gave up bis life.
An attempt byMr Bacon (Ga.) to Sc
cure vote upon his resolution, which
declares that the United states govern
ment will not make war upon people
seeking for their freedom, pr6cipitated
Ht.alx "a eel "a
in by Mr.. Platt tConn.) and Mr.. Teller
(Col). Mr.. Bacon declared that he
would not vote for the treaty unless some
such declaration were adopted by con-
gress. To this Mr. Platt carefully
snslyzed the situation which confronts
this country i'm the Philippines. No ac-
tion on the resolutions was taken.
Senators Gray and Money occupied the
entire executive session Of the senate
yesterday in speeches OF the peace treaty,
Senator Gray favoring ratification and
Senator Money opposing IL.
Senator Gray was the third OF the Paris
commissioners 20 speak. but while he
gave some attention TO the published
matter bearing on the treaty he did not
70 into this I'm such detail az did Sena-
tors Frye and Davis. Re admitted that
in the beginning OF the negotiations he
had been opposed 20 the acquisition OF
the Philippine archipelago. and said that
he had freely aud frankly advised the
president and his fellow commissioners
Of his belief that ~ would be unwise to
attempt 60 shape it's destiny. lie had
used his best cndeavors 10 bring them To
accept his views. but had utterly failed
lie az last reached the conclusion that
he would either have 10 Join with the
majority or see the treaty fail and the
war continue. In The meantime. De had
been largely Won over rs the arguments