The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-02-17
Riders May Prevent The Passage Of the
River and Ilarbor Bill.
NICARAGUA BILL MOVED AS AMENDMENT
Reed May Muster Up Sufficient votes
to Defeat Both Mensurcs--Arny
Bill Now Pending.
Especial Dispatch to The Post. }

Brazos and also that such amendment VIII
suit the conference committee, as Chair
man Burton is disposed to look favorably
on the appropriation and says he VIII not
oppose It, Senator Morgan has offered the
Nicaragua canal bill as an amendment to
the river and harbor bill and 1t will en-
danger the passage of that measure. Speak
er Reeds determined opposition VIII rally
the forces opposed to the Nicaragua canal
bill and with a cry that the senate Is
trying to compel the house to force legis-
lation they will murder both the canal bill
and the river and harbor bill.
The army bill is now before the senate.
The committee reported two measures,
each faction bringing In one. The repub-
licans report the Hull bill with harmless
amendments and the democrats offer u
compromise. President Mckinley says he
will not accept compromise and unless
he is bluffing there will be an extra ses-
sion.
Soon after the senate convened today
house joint resolution authorizing the
secretary OF the navy to pay certain la
borcrs, workmen and mechanics at several
navy yards and naval stations 80 per cent
additional for work performed In excess
of eight hours per diem, was called up.
Mr., Hawley (Conn) inquired of MIR.
Burrows tMich.), who had the measure
in charge, II it applied to existing con-
tracts. He said IL It did so apply it might
bankrupt some contractors.
Mr.. Burrows explained that 1t applied
only to regular employees of the naval
-
ed
The military academy appropriation bill
was passed without debate ard consldera-
tion OF the naval personnel bill began
Mr.. Hale, having gotten the personnel
nil before the senate, did not press II and
Mr.. Gallinger IN. I'd called up the bill
enabling soldiers who served in the Span
ish war, who had previously been PEN
sioners, again TO obtain their pensions
aud had 1t reconsidered. The proviso of
the bill that applicants for pensions should
nile their claims within year was stricken
out and tho bill then passed.
Mr.. Hawlcy tConn), chairman of the
military affairs committee. reported 10 the
senate the army reorganization bill He
said that the committee was evenly di-
vided, so that an agreement had been
reached to report two measures, one by
each division of the committee. When tho
peace treaty ratification was exchanged
as existing law gave tho president no al.
Tentative, but required him to discharge
the volunteers from the service and to re-
duce the regular army from about $500
to 1900 men, He regarded This as one
of the greatest crises in the history
of the country and in pressing the bill
TO Its passage ho was actuated only by
what be regarded as the imperative do
mnnds OF the present situation
Mr. Cockrell replied maintaining dem
oGiatfc Willingness TO support the presl-
dent in all proper methods, but opposing
large permanent standing army Mr..
Cockrell, speaking for the other tive mem
bers of the military aHairs committee.
presented written statement in the aa-
ture of minority report. He agreed
with Mr.. i1awley that the reorganization
OF the army was project OF the highest
Importance. The proper reorganization OF
the army he maintained. could not be
effected in SO brief a time as would In
allowed before this congress adjourned.
He declared that he and those for whom
he spoke We're opposed to an unnecessarily
large increased army He regarded the
authority given the president by the bill
reported to reduce the army TO 50 7S5 men
as virtual confession that that num-
Der wonId be sufficient.
Mr.. Cockrell said that he and those
who believed with him had no desire,
disposition or intention to withhold from
the president all the men and money
he might need. lie referred to the action
of himself and his associates in uphold
ing the hands o! the president prior and
during the war with Spain and alluded
to tho S5o,o00,00o appropriation az IAN
unprecedented act"
file said then that he was willing to
have Il bill enacted which he declared
would afford the president ample power.
The bill no proposed provided that Wi,rrn
40 nj inUu ho
force now In the service be mustered out
and discharged; that the act OF April o..
1898, be continued In full force until July
l. 1901, and that the president be author
lied to enroll II military force OF %. 900
men In the Islands OF Cuba, Porto l;ico
and Philippines; these people to be Off
cered as the president may direct, re-
stricted In service to their respective
Islands and not 10 he considered part
of the permanent military establishment.
Such an act, Mr.. cockrell said. would
continue the military establishment of
about $4,000 and In addition would afford
the president an additional force of IS 900
men from tue various islands. This force
would be absolutely at the disposal of the
president until peaceful conditions werr
restored in the various new possessions.
We offer, said Mr.. CocSrell in con-
clusion, everything In reason, everything
that will enable the president to estab-
fish order. Everything for establishment
Of order and protection to life and prop
orty is in the bill which ] offer
Consideration was then begun of the
postofilce appropriation bill. Practically
the only obstacle encountered by the bill
was the committee amendment, providing
for fast mail limo on the trunk lines he
tween New York and Washington 10 At
anta and New Orleans and from Kansas
City, Mo, TO Newton, Kan.
Mr.. Wolcott (Col) strongly opposed the
appropriations for this special service. de-
olaring that they indicated only the In
auence certain railroads had over con-
gress."
Mr., Sullivan (Miss). Mr.. Bacon (GaA
Mr. Morgan (Ala,) and others supported |
he amendment.
In opposition TO the amendment. Mr.. |
Bate (Tenn.), Mr., Lodge fMass.) ana |
9thers addressed the senate In closing |
he debate, Mr.. Quay, in charge OF The |
pin, said that during the extended debate |
N the question the same old straw had |
been threshed for years. He strongly do. |
ended the appropriation and hoped the |
action would be sustained
The amendment, which appropriates |
il7l,23S for special mail facilities from |
New York and Washington To Atlanta and |
New Orleans. was then agreed 70, ~ 20 10. |
Thcse who voted 10 the negative were |
senator's Bate, Berry. Bsllor. Hoar. ZONES |
AM, Ledge, Pettierew, Plat Conn. |
Ross and WoIcott