Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-02-03
FOR A BIGGER ARMY.
The House Passes the Bill for In
crease and Reorganization.
IMPORTANT NOTIFICATIONS MADE.
The Measure Provides for a Standing Army
of 100000 Men, But Gives the Pres
ident Power to Make Needed
Reductions,
Reductions.

AueuC rover 10 MAKE Neeueu
Reductions.
{ 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 so men each, thus fixing a
minimum of about $4,000 enlisted men,
passed the house Tuesday by a vote of
1853 to 1873. This was the result of a
week Of hard and often picturesque
fighting on the floor, during the prog
ress of which the opposition compelled
those In charge Of the measure to give
this discretionary authority to the pres
sdent and to make other notifications,
among which were a reduction of 331
IN the number of staff officers. In con-
sequence of these notifications the re-
publican opposition practically van
ashad, and on the final vote but six re-
Publioans voted against the bill, Messrs.
Barber (Md.), Connolly (Ill.), Loud
NCal.}, johnson (Ind.), McIwan On. J.)
and Wadsworth On. ". This republic
an detection was, however, almost off
set by five members of political opposi-
ton who voted in favor of the bill,
Messrs. Berry (Ky.), Mcclellan IN. W,
MoAleer (Pa.), Taylor (Ala.), demo-
Gratis, and Skinner (pop., N. CO.. The
galleries were crowded throughout the
day, and every member who could pos
sibly be there was on the floor to record
his vote on the final roll call.
The programme included provision
for two hours of general debate, which
was to be occupied by Messrs. Dalzell
HPa.) and Hopkins (Ill.), in closing for
the majority, and Messrs. Bailey (Tex.)
n Settle Ky.), for the opposition.
But this programme was smashed ow-
Ing to the failure to complete the bill
under the 1ve-minute rule before three
o'clock, the hour set for the vote.
Among the important amendments
adopted before the vote was taken was
n to exclude the appointment Of
civilians 70 positions in the engineer
corps, one to abolish canteens and the
yale 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 IN. W
TO prohibit the use of troops in the
several states to suppress riots, etc.,
except upon the application of the
states, was defeated by a large major
aty. The motion to recommit with in
struotions to report back the minority
substitute only commanded two repub-
Hcan votes and was lost-117 to ITO.
= Provisions Of the Bill.
The bill as passed provides In addi-
ton to the general officers and staff de-
5partments for IL regimants of cavalry
OF ~ troops each, IA coast batteries.
" Held batteries, 80 regiments of in
3sntry Of 1e companies each, a corps of
engineers and one regiment of engi-
neers, an ordnance department. and a
signal corps, the latter with 625 enlisted
men. It also gives the president dis
erection to recruit the organizations
serving in Cuba, Porto Rico and the is
lands Of the Pacific in whole or in part
from the Inhabitants thereof.
Before the house adjourned the river
n harbor bill was formally called up
In order to make 1t the unfinished bust
nsss In the committee of the whole.
Senate.
Washington, Feb. during almost
the entire morning hour Tuesday the
senate had under discussion the policy
OF this country to be pursued in the
Philippine islands. Senator Berry
iArk.), in aspeecb upon the resolution
offered by Senator Vest, discussed the
Polcy OF expansion without a reference
TO the constitutional point involved in
Vest resolution. He spoke from
notes, stating his objections to the
pending treaty of peace. He declared
that he would never vote to place upon
any people a policy against which Lee
aoughf and against which Jackson gave
up his life. An attempt by Senator Ba-
con (Ga.) to secure a vote upon his reso-
luton, which, in brief, declares that
United States government will not
make war upon a people seeking for
their freedom, precipitated a lively de.
bate, which was participated in by SEN
Plat Comm and Senator Teller
(Col.). Senator Bacon declared he would
vote for the treaty unless some such
declaration were adopted by congress,
this Senator Plat look exception
and delivered a speech in which he
carefully analysed the situation which
this country in the Philip-
pines. No action on the resolution was
The Executive Session.
Senators Gray and Money occupied
The entire executive session of the SEN
lte Tuesday in speeches on the peace
:reaty, Senator Gray favoring ratifca-
don and Senator Money opposing it. ,
Mason, in a few words, en-
Senator Moneys position that :
,he Bilipinos would be made citizens !,
" the ratification of the treaty, and
senator Teller, In a brief r~ejoinder,
'~ontroyerted this position, saying that
act OF congress would be necessary ]
% Tx their status towards the BODY pol !
TIC Senator Hoar also endorsed SEN c
ltor Moneys position. 8
Mr.. Porter's Mission. 1
Washington, Feb. 1.-The decision S
o send Mr.. Porter to Cuba was reached Il
a full discussion of the situation /
IT the inSurgent army between +ha )