The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-26
NO ACTION ON THE ARMY BILL.
COMPROMISE MEETS MUCH oPPOsI-
TION IN THE SENATE.

COme-It's a Hideous Skeleton,
Says AHen-CoolSs Better Than
COIOneIs-TilIman Could Smell the
Beef-The Sampson Schley COntrO-
versy.
Washington, Feb. 25.-After two hours
devoted to the consideration of bills on
the calendar to-day, the Senate. at
o'clock, began the consideration of the
compromise army reorganization bill
which had been agreed upon by the MEM
bers of the military affairs committee.
Until a short time before the measure
was taken up. it was supposed it would be
passed to-day without serious difficulty,
but when It was learned by some senators
that the bin provided for permanent in
crease in the standing army, objections
were heard, and it became evident that
the measure would have to run the gaunt-
let of sharp criticism.
Mr.. German, Democrat, of Maryland,
desired that the authorization of a perma-
nent increase in the army should be given,
and prepared an amendment, as follows:
THAT each and every provision Of this
act shall continue in force until July 1,
1901, and on and after this date the officers
and men, including general officers and
staff officers, shall be restored to rank
and numbers. as provided for by law prior
to April 1, 1898, except the cadets appoint
ed prior to July /, 1901, and except as pro
vided for in the act to authorize two addi-
tional regiments of artillery, approved
| March 8. 1895"
No Agreement to Vote.
Speeches in support of the bill were de-
livered by Mr.. Hawley of Connecticut,
! Mr.. CockreH of Missouri, Mr.. Carter of
Montana and Mr.. Smith of New Jersey,
and against 1t by Mr.. German of Mary
and and Mr.. Allen of Nebraska. No
I agreement to vote on the bill had been
reached when the Senate adjourned
When the compromise army reorganiza-
| ton bill was taken up. Mr.. German OF
| Maryland, suggested that the bill go over
until Monday, but to this Mr.. Hawley OBJ
| jected.
! Mr.. Carter asked unanimous consent to
vote on the bill at 8 o'clock Monday. Mr..
Allen of Nebraska objected.
| Mr. Cocl1rell of Missouri, member of
the military affairs committee, discussed
at length the features of the measure.
This measure" said he, has been ex-
| amined very carefully. l endorse 1t, be-
cause 1t is right, just, proper and neces-
sary. 1t win settle for years to come the
| standing army controversy"
| Further along in his analysis of the bill
Mr.. Cockrell said the increase in the army
| provided for by the bill was perfectly
! justifiable and absolutely essential"
Mr.. Hawley offered an amendment pro-
| viding that mo person who has passed the
age of forty-five years shall be appointed
as a field officer in said force (the volun-
teer force), officers of the regular army ex-
cepted."
Mr.. Pettigrew suggested an amendment
to the amendment excepting also officers
and enlisted men who served in the war
with Spain.
Cooks VS.. COIoneIs.
Pending action upon the amendment, Mr..
Allen of Nebraska, addressed the Senate
in opposition to the general features of the
| bin He was surprised that Mr. Cockrell
could give his sanction to such a meas
| ure.
IF there ever was a hideous skeleton.
| a monstrosity, a deformity in legislation
this bill is one" he declared. ut is warp
| ed, disjointed, dislocated. 1t lacks science,
1t lacks conference, it lacks good sense"
Commenting upon section o Of the bill
which gives to cooks the pay and allow
| ances of sergeants of infantry, Mr. Allen
| said ironically that it evidently required
| a higher order of talent to cook than to
| fight.
'If all that has been said about canned
beef and embalmed beef is true" said he
the ordinary cook ought to have higher
| pay than a colonel, because It would re-
| quire high order Of skill to cook and serve
such food successfully. am not concerned
| in this delightful fight now going on be-
| tween the Secretary of War and the gem
eraf commanding the army. honor Gen.
| Miles in that fight Every intelligent man
! In the country believes that our army was
| fed on that trash. and that a large per-
centage of the sickness and mortality in
| the army was due to the food given to the
| soldiers"
SchIey Was SantingO's Hero.
Passing from the army troubles, Mr.. AL
| len adveTted to some in the navy. He re-
garded it as a glorious thing that Admiral
| Dewey had the presence of mind to cut
! the cable between him and Washington
and that it was fortunate for Dewey he
was in a position 10 sever connection with
| Washington.
"Then, too" said Mr.. Allen, 1--WE have
! the controversy over the two rear adnirals
| in the navy. Whether the man who fought
the battle resulting in the destruction Of
| Cervera's fleet and won it, shan have the
| laurels of victory or whether they shall go
| to a man who was ten miles away seems
a subject of controversy by the navy de-
| partment.
"The American people, 20, ,000. 900 of honest
| hearts and honest souls, will always believe
that Schley was the hero of that battle
and won that battle, and / am not dis
tracing anything from the service OF Ad-
m!ral Sampson, who, If he had been there
would have acquitted himself nobly. This
seems to be a game Of battledoor and shut
| tlecoclx, and over in the navy department
they are shedding more ink than blood"
German Wanted n Proviso.
Mr.. German said that If one proviso were
contained in the bin to the effect that at
the expiration Of the two years the army
| should again be reduced to a peace foot
| ing of Il 900 men, we would agree to IT.
Whatever the conditions may be-" he
continued, with the acceptance of tho
| proviso / suggest you viii have an army
! OF 100000 men until four months after
the term of President Mckinley shall have
expired. The measure win give him Great
er power than President ever had"
| Mr.. Hawley had asked who was afraid