The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-02-01
>THE ARMY BILL PASSED.
Goes Through the House by a Vote
of 1853 to 1876.
PRESIDENTS ABSOLUTE POWER.
The Bill Increases the Standing Army
: to About 100, 900 Men, But the Chief
Magistrate May, at His Discretion,
Reduce the Number to $4,000.

Magistrate May, at His Discretion,
Reduce the Number to $4,000.
Warrington. Feb. 1.-The bill to re.
organize and increase the standing
army to about 100000 men, but givins
the president authority to reduce the
size of infantry companies and cavalry
troops to 60 men each, thus fixing a
minimum Of about $4,000 enlisted men,
passed the house yesterday by vote
of 1858 to 125. This was the result of a
lyweek Of hard and often picturesque
fighting on the floor, during the pro-
gress of which the opposition compelled
those in charge of the measure to give
this discretionary authority to the
president and to make other modifica-
tions. among which We're reduction OF
331 in the number of staff officers. In
consequence of these notifications the
Republican opposition was practically
vanquished, and on the final vote but
six Republicans voted against the bill
--Messrs. Barber (Md.), Connolly Ulis.).
Loud (Cal), Johnson Und), McEwen
IN. JD and Wadsworth IN. ". This
Republican detection was, however, al
most Offset by five members of the po-
litical opposition who voted in favor of
the bill. They were Messrs. Berry
I<Ky), Mcclellan IN. ", McAleer
(Pa) and Taylor (Ala.). Democrats.
and skinner IN. CO.. Populist,
The galleries were crowded through
out the day, and every member who
could possibly be here was .on the
floor to record hts vote on the final roll
call. The days program Included pro-.
vision for two hours of general debate,
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 Set
tile of Kentucky for the opposition
But this program was smashed, owing
to the failure to complete the bill un-
der the five minute rule before 3 o'clock,
the hour set for the vote.
Among the important amendments
adopted before the vote was taken was
one to exclude civilians to positions in.
the engineer corps one to abolish can
teens and the sale of liquor in camps,
and one to strike out the provision for
additional pay for commanders serv-
ing 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 majority. The motion to re-
commit. with instructions to report
back the minority substitute, only COM
manded two Republican votes. and
was lost, III to no.
The bill as passed provides, In addi-
ton to the general officers and staff
departments, for u regiments of cav
airy of u troops each, IA coast bat
teres. "a field batteries, 30 regiments
of infantry of u companies each, a
corps of engineers and one regiment
Of engineers, an ordnance department
and signal corps, the latter with 62i
enlisted men. 1t also gives the presi.
dent discretion to recruit the organ
lxations serving in Cuba, Porto Rico
and the islands of the Pacific in whole
Or In part from the inhabitants thereof.
During almost the entire morning
hcur yesterday tile senate lad under
discussion the policy Of this country
to be pursued in the Philippine islands.
Mr.. Berry, of Kentucky. In q speech
upon the resolution offered by Mr.. Vest,
discussed the policy Of expansion with
out reference to the constitutional
point involved in the Vest resolution.
He spoke from notes, stating with
force and eupl,asis his objections To
the pending treaty ofSpeace. He de-
clared that he would never vote to
place upon any people policy against
which Lee fought and against which
Jackson gave up his life. An attempt
by Mr.. Bacon, Of Georgia. to secure a
vote upon his resolution, which In brief
declared that the United States gov
ernment will not make war upon a peo-
pie seeking for their freedom, precip-
ttated lively debate. No action cn
the resolutions was taken.