The age-herald., 1899-02-22
THE ARMY BILL
 IN THE SENATE MF. COCkfOll Gives Notice That the
 Measure Cannot Pass. SPOKE FOR THE OPPOSITION Willing to Aid the President in Any
 Emergency.
SPOKE FOR THE OPPOSITION
THE PosTOFFICE BILL WAS PASSED
MT. Mitchell of Wisconsin, Member oi the Military Committee, Criticised the Hull Bill as Measure
 Which Did N ot Reorganize.

Washington, February N-Formal dlscus- sion of the Hull-Hawley army re-organiYa- ton bill was begun in the senate this alter noon. Mir. Hawley and MT. Warren, re- publicans, supported the measure, and MT. Mitchell and MT. Cockrell. democrats, op- posed 1t, when MT. Proctor (Rep), address, ed the senate in favor of some amendments which he had proposed to the bill All the speakers are members of the committee on military affars MT. Cockrelfs speech, though brief, was particularly notable, as he spoke definitely for the opposition to the sarmy bill He declared practically, in so many words, that the Hu-Hawley bill could not become a law at this session. He and those who stood with him were willing to give the president all the money and every man he desired, but they were de- termined that no great stading army should be fastened upon the country without full and free discussion.
 The postofice appreciation bill was passed today.
 MT. Hawley was recognized to speak on the army reorganization bill and as he proceeded was given very close attention. He said he did not see how anybody could have voted against taking up the bill, for 1t was evident to all that something must be done to strengthen the presidents arm He thought there could be no doubt that the Spanish cortes would ratify the peace treaty within the next two or three days. With this proceeding concluded and the exchange completed, the army necessarily must be reduced to it's original dimension of 67,0OO, unless some law should be enacted.
 The responsibilities were ours, and we should accept them before God and the world.
 Mitchell Criticised the Bill
 Mr. Mitchell, of Wisconsin. also member of the military committee, followed MT. Hawley. He criticised the Hull bill, saying that it was not as claimed, reorganiza- ton bill. as the only material change in within the proHAstem was in the artillery. He advocated a change in the organization of the staff of the army as very necessary reform, criticisng the committee for not including a provision on this point. The bill was also defective in failing to arrange the status of the adjutant general toward the commanding general. MT. Mitchell contended that much of the discord in the army at present was due to a lack of a clear understanding of these relations. Mr. Mitchell hinted at the opinion that the in- crease proposed was due to the suggestion of the army officers and said he would no more accept their views on this point than he would a Torreador on morality of bull fighting.
 So far it was a matter of mere conjec- ture how many soldiers would be needed in the Philippines Cuba and Porto Rico. As for himself he would have no one in those countries to shoot our ideas into an allen people. He agreed there should be few more troops in this country, but in provid- ing for this increase he would confine it to "the United States proper and not extend 1t to the United States improper
 This remark caused burst of laughter on the democratic side of the chamber and with it MT. Mitchell concluded his talk.
 Shall Not be Passed
 MT. Cockrell the leading democratic member of the military committee, speak ing in opposition to the Hull-Hawley bill. agreed that reorganization of the army was absolutely necessary. The necessity for a change had been distinctly shown. It was evident, he said that either the or ganiZation was deficient of the officers were inefficient.
 MT. Cockrell declared there was not suff- cient time in the ten remaining days of the session to discuss, formulate and pass a perfect re-organiza tion, and he added that no bill such as had been proposed should be passed.
 we propose" said he, ample provisions for every emergency. We will give the ex- ecutive every dollar and every man to sus- tain the government that is necessary"
 He then analysed and explained his bill offered as a substitute for the Hull-Hawley measure. In the course of this part of his argument MT Cockrell maintained that one brigade was amply sufficient for the needs of the United States in Cuba, and that a greater force was a menace to the pace of the island. If the Cubans, he said, were given the right to govern themselves, and there was no doubt in his mind that they had the ability to do so, so they would give the island good government.
 Discussing MT. Hawleys contention that the additional men provided for in the measure he had reported were necessary Mir. Cockrell said: We will give you every man and every officer that is necessary, but we are not willing at this short session to fasten upon the country a standing army Of 100000 men and to increase the expenses of the people by millions of dollars. We are offering everything that is fair and right and just"
 Extra Session Not Desired
 "We have no disposition or intention to force an extra session of congress and we say to you that every bill that legitmately anu Oh riSht ought tO De d law can De passed at this session. We will give you every man you need, by the extension of the provisions of the present law for two years That will meet every emergency likely to arise and In the next congress we can dis cuss 1t fully and considerably a measure for the proper reorganization of the army"
 "I indulge In flibuster occasionally myself" said Mir. Mason. interrupting Mr. Cockrell, but I always give full notice when mean to do so. I think 1t perfectly permissible under the rules and would like to have the Missouri senator inform us If such Is his purpose now"
 1T am always frank" replied MT. Cock rell. "and am frank when say I have no intention of beginning a filibuster. only want to secure full and fair discussion of the army bill, such consideration as an important measure should have. and 1t is impossible to get discussion in the ten days left of the session"
 'Then," retorted MT. Mason. i've are not