The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-17
AMPLE FOR DEFENSE
ARMY INCREASE SENATE MILITARY
COMMITTEE IS WILLING
TO PROVIDE
PRESIDENT NOT HAMPERED
MIR. COcISreI Calls Attention to the
Unprecedented Action of the Con-
gress in ApprOpriating $5O,OUO,OOO
for the Use of the Chief Executive
In War Emergency POstOfice
Appropriation Measure Up.
Appropriation Measure Up.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.-The army
| reorgariza ton bill was reported to the
senate today, and Mr. Hawley (Conn.),
chairman OF the military affairs COM
mittee, gave notice that he would move
to proceed to it's consideration at the
earliest possible time. Mr.. Cockrell
(Mo), speaking for the other five men,
bers Of the committee, presented a writ
ten statement in the nature of a minor
ity report. He declared that he and
those for whom he spoke We're opposed
to an unnecessarily large Increase in
the army He regarded the authority
given the president by the bill reported
to reduce the army to ,975 men as
virtual confession that that number
would be sufficient.
Mr.. Cockrell said he and those who
believed with him had no desire, dis
position or intention to withhold from
the president all the men and money
he might need. He referred to the ac-
ton of himself and his associates in
upholding the hands of the president
prior to and during the war with Spain,
and alluded to the $4,000, 900 appropria-
ton as an unprecedented act"
He was, he said, willing to have a
bill enacted which would afford the
president ample power. The bill he
proposed provided that within a blank
number of days the volunteer force now
In the service be mustered out and
discharged; that the act of April 20,
1898, be continued in full force until
July l, 1901, and that the president be
authorized to enroll a military force Of
$4,000 men in the islands of Cuba, Por-
to Rico and the PhilippineS-these
| troops to be differed as the president
may direct, restricted in service to their
respective islands, and not to be con-
stdered a part of the permanent MILL
tary establishment.
Such an act, Mr. Cockrell said would
continue the military establishment at
about $1,000 men and in addition would
afford the president an additional force
of 5000 men from the various islands.
This force would be absolutely at the
disposal Of the president until peaceful
conditions were restored in the various
new possessions of the United States
1--WE offer" said Mr.. Cockrell in con-
clusion. everything in reason, every
thing that will enable the president to
establish order. Everything for the es-
Establishment of order and protection to
life and property is in the bill which
[ Offer
Consideration was then begun of the
postof11ce appropriation bill Practical
ly the only obstacle encountered by the
bill was the committee amendment ap-
propriating SILL for special mail
facilities on the trunk lines from New
York and Washington to Atlanta and
New Orleans, and from Kansas City,
Mo-, to Newton, Kan.
After cross-fire of debate. in which
Mr.. Wolcott. Mr.. Morgan, Mr.. Petit
grew, Mr.. Quay and others took part.
the amendment was agreed to, AZ to TO-
Those who voted in the negative were
Senators Bate. Berry. Butler, Hoar,
Jones, of Ark; Lodge. Pettigrew.
Platt. of Conn: Ross and Wolcott.
The Allen amendment. appropriating
$4,000 for special facilities between
Kansas City Mo-. and Newton, Kan.
! was also agreed to.
Mr.. Mantle (Mont) presented the
| credentials of William A. Clark. and
Mr.. Turley (Tenn) presented the Gre
dentials of Hon. William B. Bate
AT the conclusion Of the reading of
the postoff1ce bill it was allowed to go
| over until Saturday morning.
Mr.. Hawley gave notice that at the
first opportunity tomorrow he would
call up for consideration the army re-
organization bill