New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-25
THE DEBATE IN DETAIL

The opening OF the debate on IN. Arrv p.or-
ganization bill attracted large attendance in III.
galleries OF the House to-day. Mr. Hull. chairman
OF the Committee on Military Affairs asked the
House 70 ratify an agreement made in committee
that he should control the time in favor Of the bill
and that Mr.. sulzer. the senior minority member
OF the committee should control the time IN opposi
ticn.
NJ. sulzer suggested that the final vote be taken
next Tuesday az o clock
Mr.. Hepburn objected such an extended time
but Mr. Bailey pointed out that the minority re-
garded this the most important bill 10 come
before the House at this session. His side he
said, had purposely retrained from taking up the
time OF the House on appropriation bills in order
70 have full opportunity 10 debate this bill
Mr.. Suffers suggestion vas agreed to, modified
80 that the should be taken mot later than
O'Clock on Tuesday next"
Mr.. Hay, from the minority Of the committee
gave notice that the minority had agreed on sub
stitute bill which would be offered a. the proper
time
The House then went into Committee of the
Whole and took up the bill under the agreement FOR
fifteen hours general debate with night sessions
tonight. Tomorrow and Thursday.
CHAIRMAN HULLs ARGUMENT
NJ Hull opened the debate in favor OF the bill
IN q brief speech He craved the indulgence OF the
House during the limited speech he should make.
His recent illness he said had left him physically
UNEQUAL 70 an extended effort. For years ne had
been a supporter OF reorganization and an in
crease in the Regular Army. Now. with the terri
tory gained from Spain FOR which this country was
responsible and the responsibility for which could
not be shirked the Increase became necessity.
The bill fixed no maximum strength for the entire
Army. but under the reorganization would permit
OF a strength Of 100000 men. The bill could be
nj in INN IN
in the discretion OF tho President OF 5000 men.
He explained briefly the organizations Of the var-
Gus branches Of the service.
MI Hull declared that the situation dan
gerous one The country was confronted with
grave responsibilities even though the Philippines
were held temporarily. No one could tell what
would happen in thirty days We could Tot AFFORD
10 sacrifice efficiency TO economy. He then took up
IN. STAFF features Of the bill. General Miles, he
said advocated a general stan. plan which had
great merit but had the great drawback that 1t
invited the injection OF politics into the Army
The proposal 70 continue the present strength Of
IN. Regular Army 1921 900 until 1900
miserable makeshift and piece OF folly
17ven ~ adopted the terms OF the law require that
all soldiers enlisted last spring must be mustered
out They would be entitled to return home and
r.ce,ve travel pay and rations. and would then
have 10 be enlisted again He thought spirit OF
"a triotisn demanded that this Congress should leg
isate to meet the present condition as 1t found H.
Mr. Cox Of Tennessee a member OF the commit
to-. replied 10 Mr. Hull He directed his argument
against the main proposition 10 increase the Army
TO 100000 II such a standing army were needed
IN time OF peace he said. something must nave
eon. radically wrong with our institutions he
closed with a quotation from the writings OF An
drew Jackson which warned the country against
~. danger OF standing armies in time OF peace
ADVOCATED BY Mr.. MCCLELLAN.
Mr. Mcclellan OF New-York followed In support
., the bill He did not speak in a spirit OF parti-
ean.hip he said but no considered the crying need
n, the hour the reor ganization Of the Army The
A rn,v should be reorganized. He had no desire 10
reflect on any officials In the war establishment.
hut the lessons OF the late war should be taken 10
heart II the result Of the Congress elections had
heen different II might have been possible 70 have
honestly Investigated the war to have separated
The goats from the sheep. and 10 have punished the
euilty But no good could come now OF washing |
dirty linen in public The horrors and the scandals
OF the war he declared were due 10 the system /
not the men. The system permitted the appoint |
rent OF men rtah positions who would never
have been heard OF under a proper system Every !
- a(sd To Ona of