The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-02

Washington, March 1.-The last lin
gering possibility of an extra session OF
Congress disappeared to-day when the
House passed the Senate Army Re-or
ganization Bill. Very considerable and
vigorous opposition to the acceptance of
the Senate bin was voiced on both
sides of the hall. and for a time it ap.
peared possible that the bill would not
secure the necessary two-thirds to pass
it under suspension of the rules. But
the Republican leaders, Messrs. Hender-
SON. Grosvenor and Cannon came to its
support on the Republican side and Mr..
Bailey, the Democratic leader, threw
the weight of his Influence in favor OF
it on the Democratic side. arguing that
it provided for only temporary in.
crease of the army which would be
made permanent if Congress were con-
yened in extra session
Another big element in the vote was
Mr.. Hull's recital of a statement made
by the President to him that he would
not construe section II as authority tc
conscript the minority in volunteer or
ganization which should elect to re-
main in the service.
The bill passed 203 to 80. 1t now
goes to the President.
The decks were also cleared of many
other important matters. The general
Deficiency Appropriation Bill, carrying
$21 ,0S9,000 was passed under suspension
of the rules, without a word of criti-
cism. This is the last of the appropria-
tion bills. The Senate amendments to
the River and Harbor Bill were non
concurred in and it was sent to confer
cnce, the friends of the Nicaragua Canal
amendment having decided to postpone
their fight until the conferces report
The conference report on the Omnibus
Claims Bill, the Naval Personnel and
many other less important measures
were agreed to.
The Senate bill making Dewey a full
Admiral was passed. The bill now goes
to the President for his signature.
There was considerable excitement on
the floor before the assembling of the
House at IL o'clock this morning, in
anticipation Of desperate fight upon
the Nicaragua Canal amendment to the
River and Harbor Bill. Immediately
Senate amendments to the Sundry Civil
Bill were non-concurred in and the bill
was sent to conference. Messrs. Can
non Rep., Ills), Moody Qiep., Mass.),
and Dockery Dem., Mo-, were appoint
ed cOnferees.
Mr.. Mahon rep, ,Pa.), Chairman of the
Committee on War Claims presented
the conference report upon the bill to
pay certain judgments of the Court of
Claims, under the Bowman and Tuck
er acts. As it passed the House the
bilN carried $1,1S9.000. The Senate
placed upon it what is known as the
Omnibus Claims Bill increasing it to
S9.03O,000. Over S4,000,000 of the in
crease were Bowman and Tucker acts
claims. S1,O55,000 were French spolia-
tion claims and S4S2.000 were miscella-
neous claims. The conference report
reduced the total carried by the bin to
SO, 100000.
After some debate the conference re-
port was adopted as was also the con-
ference report upon the Naval Personnel
Bill.
Mr.. Burton. Chairman of the River
and Harbor Committee, then secured
recognition and under suspension of the
rules moved to non-concur in the Senate
amendments to the River and Harbor
Bill and request a conference. In reply
TO a question Mr.. Burton said that the
action of his committee was unanimous.
The friends of the canal amendment
were satisfied with his motion. No
debate was demanded and the motion
carried without division. Messrs. Bur-
ton Rep., Ohio. Reeves Qtep., Ills.),
and Catchings (Dem., Miss.), were ap-
pointed conferees.
The conference report upon the Cel-
sus Bill was adopted.
The conference report on the bill to
reimburse the Governors of States for
money expended i'll organizing troops