La Junta tribune., 1899-02-04

three volunteers died in the harness.
This is a remarkably small percentage,
only fifteen out of total of l $50 who
endured the climate. the hardships and
exposures to contagious diseases.
The Senate last Thursday passed the
Nicaragua canal bill. decided to make
the anti scalping bill the unfinished
business and continued, without com
pletion. the consideration OF the Indian
bill. A number of
amendments were made to the Nicara-
qua bill and there We're innumerable
short speeches during the day. There
was. however. no opposition TO vote
when the time came and roll call on
II developed only six votes in opposi-
tion to the final passage.
Representative Clark of Iowa has
introduced bill providing that no
polygamist shall be senator or repre-
sentative" 1t provides that mo per-
son living in or practicing polygamy
shall be eligible to be n member of
either house of Congress. nor shall
such person be permitted TO hold a seat
therein" 1t is further provided that
the evidence of polygamy shall be of
whatever nature that establishes the
fact. Another provision makes the
act take immediate effect.
Not since the stirring days before the
declaration of war last spring has the
House witnessed such an exhibition of
excitement and such scenes of un-
bounded enthusiasm as occurred last
Wednesday. when two Republicans.
Mr.. Johnson. the Indiana member. and
Mr.. Dolliyer of Iowa, locked horns on
the question of expansion. The army
bill, which was under debate, was
swallowed up In the broader question
of our future national policy and the
debate was lifted from the dead level
Of mediocrity into absolute brilliancy.
The debate on the army reorganiza-
ton bill opened in the house Tuesday
under an agreement by which the gen
eral debate is to run fifteen hours, ex-
elusive of three night sessions, the
final vote to be taken not later than 3
O'Clock next Tuesday. Practically
three propositions are before the
House, the House bill providing for a
standing army of 100000 men. the MI
nority substitute increasing the stand
Ing army to 10000 men and lodging
with the President discretionary pow
er to call out $4,000 volunteers for
emergency service. and proposition
to continue temporarily the regular
army at its present war strength, g.
Goo men.
The retaliation clause In the agricul-
tural appropriation bill now under con-
sideration in the Senate committee pro-
vides that whenever any government
shall impose unreasonable restrictions
upon foods imported from the United
States, or shall refuse to accept the
certificate OF the food inspectors Of the
United States, the President shall
have the authority to direct the secre-
tary of the treasury to inspect any arti-
Gle OF food imported into the United
States from that country in order to
determine its purity and wholesome
ness. He also has the authority to
examine toys and any other articles
which may be suspected Of contain
ing poison or being In any way injuri-
GUS to the public health.
The case of Commissary General
Charles +. Eagan, charged with cou-
duct unbecoming an officer and gen.
tleman, and with conduct tending to
the prejudice Of good order and mill
tary discipline, closed Friday. The
taking of testimony was finished and
arguments of counsel submitted. The
trial had lasted three days and con-
sumed less than eight hours Of actual
of an hour or so sufticed for the court
to reach a conclusion and embody 1t In
its report. What verdict was reached
Is altogether n matter of speculation,
and officially, at least, will not be made
public by the trial board, military reg
ulations requiring that Its findings go
through prescribed channels and be
kept secret until action be had and pro-
mulgated by the proper reviewing au-
thorities. 1t Is generally believed that
the verdict will be against Eagan.
Mr.. Grosvenor of Ohio. in n speech
on the army bill Thursday, said the
President had been criticised for not
informing Congress of his ultimate
purpose regarding the Philippines. The
President was never n usurper; he had
never sought and never would seek to
usurp the authority Of Congress. The
future Of the islands was matter for
Congress to decide. The blood of those
who might be sacrificed in the Philip
pines would be upon the heads OF
those who opposed the Presidents pol
icy. The President had nobly dis
charged his duty when he found him
self by the accident of war in posses
sion of the Philippines. In conclusion,
Mr.. Grosvenor challenged anyone to
deny, first, that the President had devi-
ated from the course mapped out by
Congress; second, that he had usurped
any authority lie was not compelled to
assume. and, third, that the settlement
of the Philippines was question for
the future.
The opposition to the army reorgani-
zation bill on the Republican side of
the House has become SO strong that
Chairman Hull, on Friday, after Mr..
Henderson of Iowa, one OF the floor
leaders Of the majority, had threatened
to vote to recommit the bill, decided 1t
would be wise. in order to secure its
passage, to abandon the idea of provid
ing directly for regular army Of
100. 600 men. He announced on the
floor that the committee would offer
amendments to reduce the number
-u.A.s .,,x, +o about Gn 0O0 hr,f