The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-02-26
ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL.
Time Mostly TakcngUp in Debate ON
Expansion.


The Army appropriation bin made slow
progress in the House yesterday. Few
members were present when the House met
at II O'Clock, the fact that the meeting
hour had been advanced not being gener-
ally known.
large amount of small business was
transacted during the first half hour, after
which the House went Into Committee
OF the Whole TO continue consideration Of
the Military appropriation bill.
General debate having been completed
the measure was taken up section by sec
ton. Chairman Hull. of the Military Az
fairs Committee, explaining the points as
the bill was read
The progress of the bill was slow and
somewhat painful. The Democrats inter-
posed points of order and various other OBJ
jections at nearly every stage. Mr.. I'm
derwood of Alabama made determined
| fight against the large increase in the num-
Der of clerks of the various department
headquarters, but was finally overruled by
Chairman Hopkins.
Mr.. Hay of Virginia spoke against the
measure, asserting that its passage in its
present form would insure large deficiency
appropriations.
Mr.. Hull admitted that the Senate bill
largely increased expenses over his bill,
and that the cost would exceed $50, 900 600,
and that there would be deficiency. But
he contended that the House could not
legslate for eventualities. The $4,000 900
would certainly last till next December
and the next Congress could make up the
deficit if there were ones 81
Mr.. Cochran of MISSOURI also attacked
the bill. His remarks were devoted to a
somewhat labored attempt TO prove that
the American commandersI1 had accepted
the aid of the Philippine Insurgents, thus
tacitly recognizing them asoallies.
Mr.. Cochran stated that there was Of
fetal proof that Consul Wildman had pro-
cured Aguinaldo to go ID Manila that Ad-
miral Dewey had asked him TO remain
and had furnished him with arms, and had
issued orders to him as to 1any other sub
ordinate; that General Greene had stated
officially that we cannot afford to ignore
| the value of Aguinaldo's services, and
cited these, and finally that the Filipinos
kept their agreement In good faith, while
the United States had Violated it.
| Mr. Lewis of Washington pronounced his
| valedictory to his fellow members. He lad
often differed. he saidA from members on
| both sides, but he hoped that nothing that
| he had said had left any acrmOny.
| Mr. Lacey of Iowa said that the pres
ent question was whether Manila should
| be protected and the American troops sus-
| tanned or whether they should not. The
! question of forcibla annexation was not
involved at present.
The President had not sought this war.
He went into 1t reluctantly. The fortunes
| of war threw Manila into his hands, and
there had not been moment since when
to leave it would not have been TO give ii
over to fire and bloodshed.
MIR. Grosvenor Of Ohio said that at the
proper time he should read the President S
order sent within twenty -four hours al
ter the capture of Manila absolutely for
bidding all alliance with Aguinaldo. Who
WAS Consul Wildman, that he should bind
the United States to a runaway vagabond
l-Aguinaldo?
Mr.. Cannon Of Illinois said that had Mt
Simpsons speech of yesterday been made
in Manila he would have been court