Hutchinson gazette., 1899-02-02
CONGRESSIONAL.

consideration OF the army roorganiza-
tion bill until 9 o'clock, when the
members paid their tributes TO the
memory OF the latc Representative
Slmpklns, OF Massachusetts. The
time before tho culogics began was
chiefly devoted TO continuation
OF the debate ON tho adyisabllity
OF retaining tho Philippines A
splrlted debate was preclpltated
In tho Senate while tho dip
lomatic and consular appropriation
bill was under consideration, Tho
appropriations committee was sharply
criticised for not providing adequate
salaries for somo OF tho consular OIL
Gers and secretaries OF legations OF
this government In foreign countries
and the parsimony Of the government
In this respect was denounced rs u dis
grace, Mr.. Hale OF Maine was In
charge OF the bill, and, despite his
protests, several amendments were In.
corporated In the measure. The bill
was passed, carrying nearly $1,000, ,OOO
In executive session the peace treaty
was further debated,
Jan, a. House; The army bill was
debated all day. DoclSory, Cochran
and Vandiver Of Missouri wero among
The speakers against the BILL An
amendment was adopted eliminating
from the bill the title OF lieu.
tenant general, The Senate con.
tinued the consideration OF the peace
treaty in executive session, the
doors being closed for almost three
hours. Senator Frye, n member OF
tho Paris peace commission, held the
attention OF the Senate during the
greater part OF this time. He devoted
himself largely to an explanation Of
tho proceedings OF tho commission.
In the open session Mr. Platt Of New
York addressed the Senate In favor OF
the ratification Of the treaty.
Jan. 20-Thc Senate considered tho
pension bill; II carries sl45, 933, $40,
Butler, Populist Of North Carolina,
offered an amendment for the pension.
ing of Confederate soldiers. lie de-
clared that tho position taken by the
south In the civil war was right, and
that every shot fred by a Southern sol
dicr was in defense Of the rights OF his
state, conferred by the constitution, in
self-defensc and in defense OF his home
and fireside. Mr.. Bate, Democrat, OF
Tennessee, himself n distinguished
Confederate soldier, said that the
Southern soldiers. rs body, did not
desire pensions from the general gov
ernment, and ho expressed his salts,
faction that Mr.. Butler had with.
drawn his amendment. The peace
treaty was again considered In execu-
tive session.
The House resumed debate on the
bill for the reorganization and in
crease Of tho army. The feature
was an hours speech by Mr.. Gros.
venor OF Ohio, whose utterances,
rightly or wrongly, are frequently
supposed to reflect tho views OF the
President. Mr.. Grosvenor declared
most emphatically that the present
situation in the Philippines was due
to the opposition in this country to
the ratification Of tho peace treaty.
Ho announced that the future Of the
Islands was n matter for congress to
decide, and that for the President to
announce policy would be for him to
usurp the authority OF Congress-
Jan. 25.-The Senate held two long
executive sessions, at the conclusion Of
which 1t was announced In open ses.
sion that 1t had been agreed by unani-
nous consent to take vote on the
peace treaty Monday, February o, the
treaty In the meantime to be consld-
cred daily in executive session. The
House had gala day of debate over
the army bill. johnson OF Indiana and
Dolliver Of Iowa, both Republicans,
locked horns on the expansion policy,
the former denounclng the administra-
tion and the latter defending the Pres
ident's policy.
Jan. 24.--In tho Senate Lodge OF
Massachusetts, and Clay of Georgia
Bpoke for the ratification Of tho peace
treaty. They contended that after the
peace treaty was ratified we could
then decide what to do with the Phil
ippine question, but not before. In
the executive session Berry's resolu-
tion for the consideration Of the treaty
In open session was voted down.
House-The debate on the army
reorganization bill was begun.
Practically three propositions are
before the House, tho House bill pro-
viding for standing army Of 100000
men, the minority substitute increas-
Ing the standing army to 10000 men,
and lodging with the President discre-
tionary power call out $4,000 volun-
teers for emergency service, and
proposition to continue temporarily
the regular army at Its present war
Btrength--63, 900 men.