The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-14
naval Bill N FAVOR
Even Jerry Is Pleased With
One Feature of 1t.
CUSTOM OF PRIZE MONEY
To Be Wiped 0ut--SampSon-
SchIey Controversy
CUSTOM OF PRIZE MONEY

washington. D. c. Jan. 12-The house
today entered upon the consideration OF the
naval personnel bill. Il developed much
less opposition than was anticipated and
the indications are that it viii have large
majority when it is placed upon its pas
sage tomorrow. The last vestige OF op-
position TO the measure from the line OIL
fcers Of the navy was removed today when
an amendment was adopted designed to
prohibit staff officers, upon whom the bill
confers positive rank, from exercising
command save in their own corps Inc
committee also asserted their purpose 70
offer an amendment tomorrow to repeaI
the law giving prize money 10 the navy, ana
this announcement met with warm ap-
nroval The speeches on the bill today
were filed with glowing illusions to the
glories of our naval victoSes in the late
war. and Mr. Berry Of Kentucky created
a great deal Of enthusiasm by his eulogy
of Schley as the hero Of Santiago.
Under the special order adopted on Mon
dav last the house went into committee
of the whole, Mr. Hopkins Of Illinois in
the tlidlLB anu HAt~NN'N-A -
ton Of the naval personnel bill.
All attempts to fix a time for the con-
clusion Of general debate failed and MI
Foss Rep) Of Illinois, who was in charge
of the bill, took the floor with general
argument in support Of the measure.
MEN IMPORTANT AS SHIPS.
Since 1852. ne said, we had devoted our
se.ves to building a new navy, but little
or no attention has been paid TO the per
sonnet Of the navy. Men were as impor-
tant as ships. The basis Of the present
bill was !. bill drafted by a board Of naval
officers, at the head Of which was the as
slstant secretary Of the navy, Theodore
Roosevelt, and composed of officers Of the
line and staff. This proposed change in
the personnel Of the navy was revolution
airy, he admitted, but it was necessary to
keep pace with the wonderful evolution
in the construction and nature of our
modern warships.
TO ABOLISH PRIZE MONEY.
The increase in the number Of officers
provided by the bill was ninety-nine. We
had acquired 1873 additional vessels during
the war with Spain. Besides, ffty-five
ships were now under construction. These
vessels must be Differed. Mr.. Foss gave
notice that he intended at the proper time
To offer an amendment to abolish prize
money in the navy. The voluntary re-
tirement feature was reinforced by the
experience of the war. Its purpose was TO
give officers comms.d rank at As. Dewey
was 60 at aAInila, bat he had command
rank at "a. and it was his twenty-five
years experience in command that made
him the brilliant victor at Manila The
same was true Of Sampson, Schley, Clark
Evans and the other great sea captains OF
the late war.
KEEP ENGINEERS SEPARATE.
Mr.. Low Rep) OF New York opposed
the amalgamation OF the line and the en-
gineer corps. Their duties were widely
dissimilar, he said, and the efficiency of
the service would not be promoted by their
amalgamation. Mr.. Low said he believed
IN specialized service. It's advantage had
been demonstrated during the late war,
when the engineers of the Oregon had
been able 10 force that ship during the
pursuit Of Cervera's feet, beyond her rat
Ing.
Mr.. Dayton Rep) Of West Virginia fol-
lowed in support of the bill. He said an
amendment providing that staff officers
shall not be entitled to command except in
their own corps would be offered.
JERRY EXPRESSES APPROVAL
Mr. Simpson Pop) of Kansas said the