The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-03-02

ed to report it. Il was not such meas
ure as the committee would recommend
to the house If there were time ahead.
but with this congress in its dying
hours. the committee did not feel war
ranted in taking action that must in
eYitably cause an extra session.
Mr. Bailey questioned Mr.. Hull close
ly as to certain features of the bill. The
senate, he said, had practically stricken
out the age limit for civiian appoint-
ments.
Mr. Bailey asked whether the lam
guage of the bill meant that in case
a majority of volunteer companies who
have the right to be mustered out after
the ratification of the treaty of peace
should desire to remain in the service.
they could hold the minority. in other
words. conscript them.
Mr. Hull replied that he did not think
the president would place such a con-
struction on the sentence. Mr.. Hull
thought the bill gave ample force to
the president up to 1901 He believed
it was the best bill that could he pass
ed at this stage.
Mr. Hay. dem. Va, the ranking nil
norlty member of the military commit
tee, warmly opposed the bill. 1t con-
tanned. he declared. a conscript meas
ure. The vote of a majority of any
organization now in the service would
consCripu the minority. Such fesisla-
ton should not 20 upon the statute
books.
Mr., Henry, dem. Tex. also opposed
the bill, against which he sad he would
give the Last vot" he had in the Fifty
fifth congress.
Mr.. Carmack, dem. Tenn. said he
would vote for the bill. as that was the
best that could he obtained The de-
bate Was extended and Mr. Marsh. rep,
/ H., advocated the passage of the bill.
The most prominent republican leaders
on the Iuur supported the bill.
Mr.. BromWell. rep. O., vigorously op-
posed the measure. The house, he said,
should not swallow it, He was tired
Of being held UP" by a minority Of
the senate, and as disagreeable as an
| extra session would be to him person.
! ally, he would vote against ii.
Mr. Hepburn thought the pending bill
should never be accepted until every
resource had been exhausted to Sc
cure something better The mouse
( should reject il now. If the worst came
! to worst the house could reverse it's
action. Replying to Mr.. Hepburn, Mr.
Hull said he did not believe there was
any chance of securing concession
| from the senate. 1t was this bill or an
extra session.
Mr. Bailey, the democratic leader.
agreed that it was this bin or an extra
session. and as. between the two evils
he preferred this bill. tRepublican ap-
plause). ON one condition." added Mr..
! Bailey: 'on the condition that the
chairman of the committee will assure
us that section T. will not be construed
as authorizing the C0nsCrption Of un-
willing volunteers
Mr.. Hull replied that he did not de-
sire to violate any confidence but he
/ would take the risk of saying that in
conversation with the president he
has said that he did not regard the Ian
! suage of the bill AS authorizing the
! cOnsCription of a single man, and IL
| conscripton became necessary he would
! call an extra session to secure that
power.
The president will use no power not
| clearly given" observed Mr. Hender-
! son.
Mr.. Bailey then advised the demo-
I Gratis to accept the pending bill, be-
! cause it met temporary condition
/ with a temporary provision. An extra
session would fasten large perman-
ent standing army upon the country.
Mr.. Steele. rep, Ind, earnestly op-
! posed the passage of the bill, which he
denounced as an abortion so full OF
defects that il might be construed to
create an army Of $4,000 men or an
! army of 10000 After some further re.
/ marks by Messrs. Shafroth. pop, Col. :
Jett, dem, ILL.,. and Williams. DEM,
/ Miss. in favor of passing the BILL the
! question came to a vote. Mr.. Henry,
! dem, Tex, demanded the ayes and
nays amid cries of mo No" from
both sides. Only II members supported
! the demand and on division the bill was
! passed, 203 to 30.
Upon the motion CT Mr.. BOutelle. rep,
| Me. the senate bill was passed to Gre
ate the grade of admiral for the benefit
i of Rear Admiral Dewey. AT 6.25 p.
| m. the house adjourned until p. m.