The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-02-01

Washington, Januhry "h
reoreapize and increase the stahains
army TO about 100. 90 men bus leaving
the President authority to reduce 1ne si@e
of infantry companies and cavalry troops
to sixty men each, thus liking "i"i
mum Of about 80, GOO enlisted men, passed
the House today by vote of lGs to 10
This was the result Of u week OF hard ana
often picturesque lighting on the hoor'
during the progress of which the opposi'
ton compelled those in charge oil the
measure 70 give this discretionary au'
thorisy to the President and to make
other notifications. among which was
rad notion of s3l in the number oil stan
officers. In consequence of these modin-
cations, the Republican opposition praeu'
e.,iv vanished and on the unal vote but
six Republicans voted agains. the bill
Messrs. Barber of Maryland, Connolly oil
Illinois, Loud of California, johnson oil
Indiana, Mckwan of New Jersey ana
Wadsworth of New York.
This Republican detection was, how
ever, almost offset by five members OF the
POLITICAL opposition who voted in favor OF
the bill-Messrs. Berry of Kentucky, No
Clellan OF New York, McAleer OF Penn
sylvania, Taylor of Alabama, Democrats,
and skinner, Populist of North Carolina.
The galleries were crowded throughout
the day and every member who could
possibly be here was on the floor to record
his vote ON the final roll call. The pro-
gramme today included provision for
two hours of general debate which was to
be occupied by Messrs. Dalzell of Penn
sylvia, ia and Hopkins of Illinois, in clos
| ing for the majority and Messrs Bailey
of Texas and Settle of Kentucky for the
opposition. But this programme was
smashed owing TO the failure to complete
the bill under the five minute rule, before
three O'Clock, tho hour set for the vote.
Among the important amendments
adopted before the vote was taken was
one TO exclude the appointment OF
civilians to positions in the engineer
CORDS one to abolish canteens and the sale
of liquor in camps and one to strike out
| the provision for additional pay for COM
mnnders serving in the West Indies. the
Philippines and Alaska. The amend
ment Of MIR. Cummings of New York TO
prohibit the use of troops in the several
states to suppress riots, etc, except upon
the application of the states, was defeated
| by large majority. The motion to
recommit with Instructions To report back
| the minority substitute commanded only
two Republicans votes and was ljst III to
| l70. The bill as passed provides in
addition 10 the general officers and stan
departments for twelve regiments Of
twelve troops each, l44 coast batteries %
field batteries, 80 regiments of infantry Of
| twelve companies each corps OF engi-
| neers and one regiment of engineers, an
| ordnance department and signal corps
tho latter with 625 enlisted men. 1t also
gives the President discretion TO recruit
the organizations serving In Cuba, Porto
Rico ana the islands OF the Pacific in
whole or in part from the Inhabitants
thereof Before the House adjourned to-
day, the river and harbor bill was formal
ly called up in order to make 1t the un-
finished business in the committee OF the
whole
Washington, January 3i-Ihe House
met at II O'Clock today. This was the
closing day of the debate on the army re-
organization bill. The opposition before
the session opened, had practically
abandoned hope of being able to compass
either the death of the bill or its recon-
initial. When the House resumed work
on the bill today, section IL relating to
the pay department, had been reached
The number of paymaster generals with
the rank of colonel provided in the bill,
was reduced from to with the rank
of lieutenant-colonel from eight TO i've.
and paymasters with the rank of major
from a. to 35. The age limit for appoint