The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-18
Mr.. Caffery Offers a Substitute for
Pending Bill to That Effect.
HOUSE PASSES THE NAVAL BILL
without Division-Thrcc Important
Amendments We're Adopted, One
of Which Increases the Marine
Corps 10y 1900 Mcn-Last
Sessions Currency Bill
Was Recalled.

the entire session Of the Senate to-day
was devoted to consideration of the
pending Nicaraguan canal bill. Speeches
we're made in support Of the measure
by Mr. Chiffon Texas) and Mr. Turner
CWashington). and n opposition to it by
Mr. Spooner Washington.
At o'clock consideration Of The bill
under the hfteen-minute rule was begun
and was continued until the close Of the
session.
PENDING BILL WINS.
The first vote reached was on the
amendment offered by Mr.. Rawins, OF
Utah which i'm brief provided that the
United states should have absolute con-
troll of the canal for military and naval
purposes with power to dictate the use
of the waterway during the existence OF
war
The friends OF the pending bill rallied
against the amondment and it was de-
featcd by a decisive vote of 33s 10 ..
A provision was inserted in the bill
providing that no more than S,O0,0cO
should be paid the Maritime Canal Com
pany for its concession and work already
done on the canal
MIR. CAFFERY'S S SUBSTITUTE.
When adjournment was taken a sub
stitute measure offered by Mr.. Caffery.
OF Louisiana. for the construction Of the
canal by the United States-one feature
of which is the direction to the Presl-
dent 20 secure the abrogation OF the
Clayton-Bulwer treaty-was before the
Senate
At 4.iO the Senate went into executive
session and at 5:a5 adjourned. =
In the House.
w lfrgrN~.rrrG.Nr Ion House
to-day passed the naval personnel bill
without division on the final passage,
thus accomplishing what the officers OF
the navy have striven for during more
than decade by it's provisions tho
lire and the engineer corps are welded
into an amalgamatcd line stan officers
are given positive rank. but their COM
mand IS limited 10 their own corps. and
"a system OF voluntary and compulsory
rotircmeht ON three quarters pay as FOR
the next higher rank OF forty officers a
year is established, which is designed to
remove the congestion in the lower rank
at forty-hyc The bin also practically
cqualizos their pay with that Of army
officers. Three important amendments
were adopted:
IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS.
one creates judge advocates corps
another abolishcs prize money and a
third provides for the retirement on
three quarters pay Of enlisted men and
petty officers I'm the navy after thirty
years service.
But the most important change in the
bin as reported was the adoption. after
a hard fight. Of a substitute for the
oreanizatiOn of the marine corps by
which the corps is 90 consist OF 5000 en-
listed men and petty officers with gem
30. r.if 4 20
tina marine corps by 1900 men and in
crease the cost OF the maintenance ST.
100000
Several unimportant bills were pass
cd bv unanimous consent before the per-
sonue bin was taken up.
The consideration OF the Brown-Swan-
SON contested election case, from Vir-
ginia. had been set for to-day but was
postponed until Thursday I'm order that
the House might proceed with the nayn
personnel bill.
CURRENCY BILL RECALLED
AT the beginning OF the session Mr..
McCleary Republican) Of Minnesota, on
behalf Of the Banking and Currency
Committee. made a statement TO the
effect that the vote on the currency bill
reported at the last session had been ir-
regularly taken i'm the committee, and
ne therefore asked that the bill be re-
committed.
This dos not mean that the bill is to
be abandoned?' asked Mr. Richardson
(DemocraD. OF Tennessee.
mo, SIR"
1.-THE other side has promised currency
reform" continued Mr.. Richardson. 'and
/ would like 10 know II the bill is again
To be reported"
81 am neither a prophet nor the son OF
a prophet" responded Mr.. MoCleary.
Mr. Mitchell (Republican), OF New
York, explained that there had been
some irregularity In the vote and this
action had been decided upon. There was
no objection and the bill was recon-
mitted.
The House at $50 p. NJ. adjourned.