Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-31
IN THE HOUSE.
Army Reorganization Bill Nearly Ready for
Vote At 3 P. NJ. To-day.

Washington, Jan. a0.-The House put in
a hard days work on the army bill. 10.
day. and, tonight. when it adjourned. !"
of the 20 pages had been completed. The
committee amendments giving the Presi-
dent discretionary power to reduce the
size of the infantry companies and cav
airy troops to 60 men each We're adopted,
and also Il series of amendments TO re-
duce the officers of the staff 33l. A sun
stitute was adopted for the section pro-
vidlng for promotions. which Is designed
to euual.ze promotions.
A fight was made to reduce the age
limit for officers 10 be appointed to the
various staff departments from 30 10 30
but it failed An amendment was. how
ever, adopted to require mental ana
moral as well AS ply steal examination
for such appointees. Much of the time
general proposition to increase the army
and annex the Philippines and there Were
several lively personal controversies.
The House will meet. tomorrow, at II
O'Clock, and whatever time remains be-
fore . clock, after the bill is completed
under the 5-minute rule Will be devoted
to general debate. The heavyweiehts on
both sides will close. The final vote Is
to be taken ut 3 o'clock.
At the opening of the session of the
House. Hopkins, Ill., reported the census
bin and gave notice that he would call II
up, next Monday. The House then re-
sumed The consideration of the army re-
organization bill under an agreement
that if the bin was completed today un-
der the 5-minute rule the time tomorrow
before ) clock be devoted to general de-
bate. This arrangement was made 10
give the leaders on each side an oppor
tunity to close
The first amendment offered today was
that of which the committee had given
notice authorizing the President to enlist
only 60 men in Il cavalry troop and 50 IN
an infantry company. Marsh, Rep, H..
who offered the amendment said that
this would reduce The enlisted force TO
$1,000 If the President exercised the dis
erection ii conferred upon him. The exact
form Of eacn amendment was as follows
provided the President, in his dlsCrc-
ton, may enlist only 60 men in troop
of cavalry or reduce the number OF Ell
listed men in Il troop of cavalry TO not
less than g. to be organized 50 tar as
non-commissioned officers arc concerned
under regulations of the war depart
menu
Hay Dem. Va. of The minority of the
committee. protested to the House that 1t
was impossible to perfect bill on the
floor OF the House. He would offer an
provide for only 50 men in an infantry
company or IA cavalry troop. but give the
President discretion to increase the num-
Der to 145 and 100 respectively, this dis
erection, however, only to be exercised IN
time of war
AT this point warm alteration oc-
chair the former claiming that the char
| refused to recognize him. Payne eX-
! planned that johnson had already con-
stunned much time, and he had felt con-
| strained to recognize other matters.
'Too much Johnson" shouted Tawney.
Rep, Mimi. amid laughter.
| De Almond. Dem, Mo, objected to the
amendment on the ground that the dis
cretionary power was to be exercised in
the wrong direction; me bill 20 me- aeo cor,
| and the President should take the re-
sponsibiity of increasing it to 1Oo,WW. II
should not provide for 100000. and give
the President discretion TO reduce II
! The amendment pertaining to the cav
| airy troops was adopted 103 to 81.
Hay then offered the amendment of
Perkins, Rep, Iowa, pointed out tina,
the only difference between the minority
| substitute and the pending bill was that
one gave the President discretion to Ell
list $1,000 volunteers and the other so, W,
regulars. Both sides conceded that fol
at least two years an increase in the
army was necessary.
johnson. Rep, Ind, denounced what he
termed the attempt to befog the ISSUES
place the opponents of the bill in a fals,
position. The effect of the bill. he said
was co msead the people. Its purpos,
was To create an army of 10000
The committee amendments Were
: adopted as the reading of the bill pro
ceeded.
Clark. Dem. Mo-. declared that Their,
was an epidemic of hysteria in the Hous'
: malady could not get hearing. tn,
, Democrats had been in favor of a war I,
l free people: the Republicans We're nov
anxious for Il war to enslave IA people
: The Republicans ieered when he drew ,
picture of the mili.arism of the future
Bland. Dem. Mo-. declared thai IN,
: country, the administration and Congress
= were drifting. No one knew what IN,
: goal TO be. But if ii was the annexation
o of the Philippines the administrator
: should avow it.
g Ferry, Dem. Ky. announced himself
Q amid an outbreak Of applause on the r.
= publican side, in favor OF the retention q
=, every foot of territory we had acquire,
u rs a result of the war with Spain -I1
: ! want to say right here continue,
= Berry. that never want 10 So. ~
e Philippines represented on this inor
. " hat would Nou do with ;ie,n? usre,
Mcguire Dem, Cal. II would lSce, ihgn
" under our control and protection as "
VIII Cuta untii they are able 10 TAX car,
" OF themselves.
HUI offered an amendment p'v!ag la
president tlie discretion TO reduce IA
numher az enlisted men IN infantry ,.n,,l
. pan' from Ia 10 50 aud ii was ;tgre,.
. 20. Griffin, Rep, Wis. offered Il SUBS.