The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-10

ed for the section providing for promo
lions which was designed to equalize
promotions. A fight was made to re-
duce the age limits of officers to be an
pointed to the various staff depart
ments from fifty to thirty. but it
failed. An amendment was, however.
adopted to require a mental and moral
as well as physical examination for
such appointees. Much Of the time
was occupied in short speeches on the
general proposition to increase the
army and annex the Philippines, and
there were several lively personal en-
counters. The house will meet to-day
at IL O'Clock, and whatever time re-
mains before 3 o'clock, before the bill
is completed under the five-minute
rule, will be devoted to general debate.
The heavy-weights on both sides will
close. The final vote is to be taken at
8 o'clock.
Washington, Feb. 1.-The bill to re-
organize and Increase the standing
army to about 100000 men, but giving
the president authority to reduce the
size of infantry companies and cavalry
troops to sixty men, thus fixing min
imum of about $4,000 enlisted men,
passed the house by vote of 1GS to
195. This was the result of a week of
hard and often picturesque fighting on
the floor during the progress of which
the opposition compelled those i'm
charge of the measure to give this dis
cretionary authority to the president
to make other notifications. among
which were a reduction of 331 in the
number of staff officers. In conse-
quence of these notifications the Re
publican opposition practically van
lsled. and on the final vote but six
Republicans voted against the bill,
Messrs. Barber, Maryland: Connolly,
Illinois: Loud. California: Johnson,
Indiana: McEwan. New Jersey. and
Wadsworth. New York. This Repub-
Ican detection was. however, almost
offset by five members of the political
opposition who voted in favor of the
bill. Messrs. Berry. Kentucky: Nc
Clellan, New York: Mc.Alcrr. pennSyl-
vania: Taylor, Alabama. Democrats.
and Skinner. Populist. North Carolina.
Among the Important amendments
adopted before the vote was taken
was one to exclude the appointment of
civilians to positions in the engineer
corps. one to abolish canteens and, tho
sale of liquor in camps and one to
strike out the provision for additional
pay for commands serving in the West
Indies. the Philippines and Alaska.
The amendment of Mr.. Cummings of
New York to prohibit The use of the
troops in the several states to suppress
riots. etc. upon the application of the
states was defeated by a large ma
jority. The motion To recommit with
instructions to report back the minori-
ty substitute only commanded two Re-
publican votes and WAS loSt-117 to
40 The bill as passed provides in
addition to the general officers and
staff departments for 10 regiments of
/. troops each, IA coast batteries. 81
field batteries. 30 regiments of infan-
try OF - companies each. Il corps Of
engineers and one regiment of engi-
neers. an ordnance department and q
signal corps. the latter With $50 enlist
ed men. 1t also gives the president
discretion to recruit the organizations
serving in Cuba, Porto Rico and the
islands of the Pacific in whole or in
part from the inhabitants thereof.
Before the house adjourned the river
and harbor bill was formally called up
in order to make it the unfinished
business in the committee of the
whole.
The Senate.
During almost the entire morning
hour yesterday the senate had under
discussion the policy of this country
to be pursued in the Philippines. Mr..
Berry of Arkansas. in response to a
question by Mr.. Vest. discussed the
policy of expansion without a refer
ence to the constitutional point in
volved in the Vest resolution. He
spoke from notes. stating his objections
to the pending treaty of peace. He de-
clared that he would never vote to
place upon any people policy against
which Lee fought and against which
Jackson gave up his life. An attempt
by Mr.. Bacon of Georgia to secure Il
vote upon his resolution. which, in
brief. declares that the United States
government will not make war upon a
people seeking freedom. precipitated q
lively debate. which was participated
in by Mr.. Plat of Connecticut and Mr..
Teller of Colorado Mr.. Bacon de-
clared that lie would not vote for the
treaty unless some such declaration
was adopted by congress. To this Mr..
Platt took exception and delivered
speech in which he carefully analysed
the situation which confronts this
country in the Philippines. No final
action was taken.
Washington, Feb. 2. - For a few
minutes in the senate yesterday after
noon it seemed likely that a vote
might be taken on one or more of the
resolutions relating to expansion that
are pending before that body. An I'M
usually large number of Republican
senators We're in attendance. all of
them having been notified to be pres
cnt in the event of critical vote ON
the pending question Mr.. Bacon OF
Georgia had called up his resolutions
and Mr.. Chandler of New Hampshire
had withdrawn his motion to refer
them to the committee on foreign re-
lations. Mr.. Sullivan of Mississippi
had entered a motion to substitute his
resolution fer those of Mr.. Bacon,
while Mr. Davis chairman Of tho for.