The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-25

make. His. recent Illness. he said. had left
him physically unequal TO an extended ef-
fort. For years, he mad been supporter OF
a reorganization and an increase IN the
regular army. Now with the territory
gained from Spain for which we were re-
sponsible and the responsibility from which
we could not shirk. the increase became q
necessity. The bill fixed maximum
strength for the entire army. but under the
organization would permit of a strength OF
100000 men. The bill could be amended if
desirable so as to provide a minimum in
the discretion of the President of $1,000: He
explained briefly the organization of the
various branches of the service. Mr.. Hull
declared that the present situation was a
dangerous one. We were confronted with
grave responsibilities even though we held
the Philippines temporarily. NO one could
tell what would happen In thirty days. we
could not afford to sacrifice efhciency TO
economy. He declared that the proposal
to continue the present strength of the reg
ular army (62,000) until 1900 was miserable
makeshift and a piece Of folly, He thought
a spirit of patriotism demanded that this
Congress should legislate to meet the pres
ent condition as it found it.
Mr.. Cox, member of the committee, re-
piled TO Mr.. Hull. He directed his argument
against the main proposition to increase the
army to 100000 If we needed such stand
ing army in time of peace something must
have gone radically wrong with our insti-
tutions. No power on earth wanted war
with us. There could be no motive unless
Mr.. Mcclellan followed in support of the
bill He did not speak in spirit of parti-
sanship, he said, but he considered the cry
ing need of the hour, the reorganization of
the army. In the course of his speech he
paid beautiful tribute to the regular SOL
der You are doubtless familiar with the
cartoon representing soldier returned from
the war, lionized by group of citizens" he
said.
young lady as she grapsed his hand.
No replied the soldier, i amt no hero;
I'm a regular.
There is more truth in that one sentence
than the tfeatiSeS rolled into
one continued Mr.. Mcclellan. Not he
roes in their own estimation, only regulars.
The United States regular does his work
quietly, silently, without fuss and without
buster. Whether it is freezing in the des-
erts of Arizona or sweltering in the jungles
of Siboney; whether it is suffering for want
OF sufficient food; whether it is dying of yell
low fever or cholera or being shot to pieces
by Indians or Spaniards, he takes it all with
the same hearty cheerfulness, with the same
cool bravery, for it is all part of the work
Of the regular The regular asks no thanks
for doing his duty. But he asks and has a
right to expect that you will make him an
efficient instrument.
And to God be the thanks,
For the men in the ranks;
Let the line be black or white,
For the men at arms, who stand on guard,
And keep the flag in sight "
Mr. Hay a member of the committee,
then took the floor in opposition to the bill.
He said this country had depended in every
crisis upon the volunteers and he consid-
cred such an army the peer of raw recruits,
WIN the advantage IndI Wnen Inelr services
were not needed they could be mustered
out and millions in taxes saved the people by
making it unnecessary to maintain large
standing army. He did not believe such a
large army necessary or such vast expen-
diture of money justified.
After further debate the House took a
recess till p. m.
There were only eighteen members pres
ent at the night session, but the galleries
were thronged. The evening was devoted to
set speeches. The principal one was made
by Mr.. Simpson pop, Kan), in opposition
to the bill.