Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-02-17
II, 1899.
THE ARMY BILL.

From Washington is itcrated the state
ment that the President has assured the
Republican leaders that unless The present
Congress passes the army reorganization
bill he viii call am extra session of the
next Congress for the purpose of pushing
that measure through. The administra-
tion. it is affirmed. has in answer To re-
peatel inquiries declined an propositions
for tiding over the necessities Of the army
by passing a joint resolution extend
ing the appropriations ON the basis of the
present organization. the reason assigned
for declination being that such a plan
would be utterly inadequate TO meet the
situation. Another objection TO the joint
resolution proposition. urged in admins
tration circles, is that it would fail 10
supply the line and staff officers needed.
The pending Hull bin provides for so
original appointments of second lieuten-
ants and it is said 70 De the policy of the
administration to distribute these places
among the States and Territories. accord
ing to population.
Now what is the meaning Of the atti-
this matter? 1t means that William Nc
Kinley IS holding over this Congress and
the people the lash OF am extra session.
which IS dreaded by all businessmen. in
order to force the placing in bis hands OF
two most dangerous and vicious instru-
ments. one OF these is a power-th1t Of
regulating the size Of the army-Which the
British people wrested from the Crown
some two hundred years ago. and which
they have jealousy guarded AS parlia-
mentary prerogative ever since The vie
tory Of the British people in respect Of
this matter has always been regarded as
marking one of the greatest trlumphs for
human liberty ever won by the English
speaking race. by the same token. con-
sldering his "war lorduess" his AFRO
gance. and his usurpation as embraced
in his Filipino proclamation. the triumph
OF William Mckinley i'm this case would
involve menace TO the liberties of
the American people. The second in
strument he would hector Congress into
giving him. and which he practically says
he will have or know the reason why, is
a tremendous increase Of patronage I'm the
shape of army appointments. What with
this power ADDED to that of his position
as war lord" verify he would be able
TO move many difficulties that now lie in
the way Of his perpetuating the grip of
his party upon the country. succeeding
himself and concentrating Imperialism.
As We have said more than once we
have no hope that the Democrats in Con-
gress will succeed in defeating the army
bill None the less, they have stern
and patriotic duty 10 perform in connec-
ton with the measure. This lies in fight
ing it at every turn. until its iniquities,
the threats to our institutions il carries,
and its character as Il Republican conspi-
racy and coadjutor Of Imperialism are so
clear that the people will in $780, revolt
against IL and hurl from power those re-
sponsble for IL. ii the Democratic lead
ers in and out Of Congress do their duty
in the premises, an obstacle will be raised
in the path of William Mckinley and his
imperialistic and political followers and
advisers over which these will fan to
grief. That obstacle will be the sovereign
voice Of the people.