The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-22
ratio side of the chamber and with it Nj

cratic side of the chamber, and with 1t MI.
Mitchell concluded his talk.
Mr.. Proctor was about to proceed when
Mr.. CockreIl suggested the absence Of a
quorum, thus giving notice TO the Republic
ans that If they would do business on the
army bill they must keep sufficient num-
ber of members in their seats for this pur-
pose.
Mr.. Proctor offered his amendments pro-
posed yesterday. He said that if the pres
ent bill became a law no proper reorganiza-
ton of the army could be expected for twen-
ty-five years. Under the present system
there was a constant scramble to get out of
the fighting branch Of the service and into
the staff, a scramble which he said was un-
seemly. Tile officer with the strongest
'pull" and the greatest political influence
was able to gain his point.
Mr.. Warren, member of the military
affairs committee, delivered carefully-pre-
pared speech, largely technical in it's nature
in the course of which he contrasted the
Hull-Hawley bill and what he termed as
the ''makeshift" offered by Mr. Cockrell.
COCKRELL SPEAKS FOR DEMOCRATS.
Mr.. Cockren e leading Democratic mem
ber Of the military affairs 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 1t was
evident he said, that either the organization
was deficient or the officers were inefficient
Mr.. COckrell declared there was not sufH-
cient time in the ten remaining days of this
session to discuss. formulate and pass a
perfect reorganization 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 executive every dollar and every
man to sustain the government that is nee
essary. 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, Mr.. Cockreu maintained
thatone brigade was amply sufficient for the
needs of the United States in Cuba. and that
a greater force was a menace to the peace
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. they would give
the island good government
Discussing Mr.. Hawley's contention that
the additional men provided for in the meas
ure he had reported were necessary, Mr..
Cockrell said: I'VE will give YOU every
$1,000 e@A-Nt ", D
we are not willing at this short session TO
fasten upon the country standing army of
lOO0J0 men and to increase the expenses of
the people by millions of dollars. We are
Offering everything that is fair and Just and
right. We have no disposition or intention
to force an extra session of Congress and
we say to you that every bill that legitimate
ly and of right ought to be a law can be
passed in 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 like
ly to arise and in the next Congress we can
discuss fully and considerably a measure
1or the proper reorganization Of the army"
i indulge in a filibuster occasionally my
self, said Mr.. Mason, interrupting Mr..
Cockrcu but always give full notice when
mean to do SO. l think it perfectly permis-
sible under the rules, and 1 would like to
have the Missouri Senator inform us if such
is his purpose now"
II am always frank" replied Mr. Cockrell,
land l am frank when 1 say that have no
intention of beginning a filibuster. l only
want to secure a full and fair discussion of
the army bill, such consideration as so i'm
portant measure should have, and every
Senator here knows that it is impossible to
get such discussion in the ten days left of
the session."
Then retorted Mr.. Mason, 1--WE are not
to have an announced nlibuster?"
Without replying. Mr.. Cockrell, at 4:s0
p m, yielded the floor to Mr.. Prichard. and
the Senate on his motion went into execu-
tive session. At 6:C2 the Senate adjourned.