The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-26
WARM DEBATE in THE HOUSE
DEFENDERS OF AGUINALDO SCORED
by GROsVENOR AND CANNON.
Latter So Bitter in His DenunciatiOu
that Jerry Simpson Replied with
~ Nirth-ProvOlxin Pun.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.-After two hours
devoted to consideration of bills on the
calendar to-day the Senate, at 1 o'clock,
began consideration Of the compromise
army reorganization bill, which had been
agreed on by the members of the military
affairs committee. Until short time be-
fore the measure was taken up 1t was sup
posed it would be passed to-day without
serious difficulty, but when it was learned
by some senators that the bill provided fer
a permanent incIeas in the standing army
objections were heard, and 1t became evil
dent that the measure would have to run
the gauntlet of sharp criticism.
Mr.. German (Dem., Md desired that no
authorization Of a permanent 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 /, 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 /, 1898, except the
cadets APPOINTED prior to July !, 1901, and
except as provided for in the act to author
ize two additional regiments of artillery,
approved March s, 1885,"
Speeches in support of the bill were de-
livered by Messrs. Hawley CoekrelL carter
and Smith, and against it by Messrs. Cor
man and Allen. The speeches oi Mr.. Cor
man. Mr.. Carter and Mr.. Cockreil were
particularly notable utterances. Mr. Cock
ren who has consistently opposed a large
standing army gave the pending measure
his unequivocal and unqualified support, de-
claring it was the best army measure ever
submitted to Congress. No agreement to
vote on the bill had been reached when the
Senate adjourned.
BILLS PASSED.
At the opening of the session bills We're
passed as follows: Amending an act en-
titled "An act to allow the return, free OF
dutv. of certain articles exported from the
United States for exhibition purposes" with
n. committee amendment providing that the
law shall apply only to foreign-born animals
for circus purposes, and another amend
ment providing that wheat imported by
actual farmers for seed purposes be admit
ted free of customs duty, not more than 5UO
bushels to be imported by one person; pro-
viding for a building for the use of the post
office. office of the superintendent OF the
Hot Springs reservation and other civil ofi-
GERS in the city of Hot Springs, Ark; au-
thorizing certain persons who have inter-
married with Cherokees to sue for their IN
terest in certain moneys of the tribe from
which they were excluded; authorizing the
construction of a bridge across the Monon-
gahela river at Morgantown W. va
A Joint resolution relative to the greater
American exposition, to be held at Omaha.
Neb., in 1899, and to encourage the same by
providing, without expense to the govern
ment. for exhibits from Cuba, Porto Rico,
nd he
adopted, as was also joint resolution au-
thorizing foreign exhibitors at the CONNER
cial exposition to be held in Philadelphia,
Pa, in 1899, to bring to this country foreign
laborers from the respective countries for
the purpose of preparing for and making
their exhibits under regulations prescribed
by the secretary of the interior.
The following bills were then passed: Ap-
propriating 600 for the purchase of a
site for the Carnegie library in the city OF
Washington enabling the city of Albu-
querque, n. NJ, to create certain indebted
ness; authorizing the construction of three
bridges across the Conecuh river, a nayi-
gable stream in Escambia county, Ala
bama.
Mr.. Hawley, chairman of the military az
fairs committee, then called up the con1-
promise army reorganization BILL
At the conclusion of the reading Of the
bill Mr.. German suggested to Mr.. Hawlcy
the desirability of permitting the bill to 10
over until Monday. Il think" said he, ad-
dressing Senator Hawley, you will eeono-
mize time by allowing the bin to go over
Mr. Allison suggested that if the bills
consideration was postponed until Monday
a time for a vote early on Monday should
be agreed on at this time. Some effort was
made 20 fix an hour Monday for vote. but
without success
MR.. COCKRELLs SPEECH.
Mr.. Cockren discussed at length the fea-
lures of the measure. This measure, said
he has been examined very carefully in
dorse it, because it is right, just, proper ana
necessary 1t will settle for years to come
the standing army controversy Further
along in his analysis of the bill. Mr.. Cock
reT said the increase in the army provided
for by the bill was perfectly justihable ana
absolutely essential" In response to a
question by Mr. Vest he said that the army,
after 1901, would be reduced to $500, and
that number would be required to take care
Of the coast Notifications. In conclusion,
M. Cockren said If we have a bill here
which will adjust the army controversy for
years to come we ought TO accept IL. 1t is
not prodigal of the peoples money I have
been on several commissions for the re-
organization Of the army, and believe hone
estIy that this is the very best measure pre-
sented to Congress for settling the army
since entered this chamber In 1875. IL the
bin fails my judgment is that that which
will come hereafter will not be so good for
the country. / believe the bill IS right IN the
sight OF God and nan. and / am willing e
take all responsibility for It,"
Mr. Hawley offered an amendment provid-
ing that mo person who has passed the aga