The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-02-01
PASSED THE HOSE
The Army Bill Receives a Fa
vOrable Vote in Congress.

ldoout iVVVV men, nut giving the prcsl lon
authority TO reduce the size of infant ,
companies and cavalry troops. TO sixt,
men each, thus fixing minimum of
about 5000 enlisted mon. passed ,h.
house today by "a vote OF 1GS to l25. This
was the result Of week Of hard ana or.
ten picturesque fighting on The floor. dur.
ing the progress Of which the opposition
compelled those In charge of the meas
ure to give this discretionary authority Ia
the president and to make other modiaca-
tions. among which were reduction of
3Sl in the number of stan officers In con
sequence Of these notifications and on
the final vote. but six republicans voted
Iagainst the bill.
This republican detection. was h1w-
lever, offeset by five members VI the po-
litical opposition who voted I'm favor OF
the bin.
The galleries were crowded throughout
the day. and every member WHO could
POSSIBILITY he there. was on the floor to
record their votes on the final roll calf
The program today included provisions
for two hours Of general debate, witch
was 10 be occupied by Messrs Daizeu
land Hopkins, In closing for the majority
land Messrs Bailey and Settle for the op-
position. But this program was smashed
lowing to the failure to complete the bill
under the FIVE minute rule before 8
O'Clock. the hour sct for the vote.
Thebill passed provides I'm addition TO
the general officers. for twelve regiments
of cavalry of twelve troops each. ltl
coast batteries. twenty-four field batter
riees, thirty regiments Of infantry Of
twelve companies each, oneorps Of engin-
eers and one regiment or engineers. an or
dinance department. a signal corps the
latter with G25 enlisted men. II also gives
the president discretion to recruit the or
ganizations serving in cuba, Porto Rico
and the Islands of the Pacific coast in
whole or in part from the inhabitants
thereof Before the house adjourned to-
day the river ana harbor bill was for
maliy called up in order TO make it the
unfinished business in the committee of
the whole.
NJ. Bromwells amendment was adopted
Mr.. Johnson, Rep. n. d. Offered the
following amendment 10 abolish cautoens:
That no officer or private soldier shall
be detailed to sell intoxicating drinks. as
bartender or otherwise. I'm any post
exchange or canteen, nor shall any other
person be required or allowed TO sell
such liquors in any ncampment or fort
or on any premises used for military pur-
poses by the United States.
Mr. Simpson, Pop. Kas.) pointed out
what he declared was n misapprehension
abotu the bill. 1t did not provide for
so, 900 men. 1t provided in terms for 1OO,-
600 men, but made # optional with the
president TO reduce the force to $1,000.
Gentlemen must understand that when
they voted It, This was the first step
toward transforming this republic into
an empire
Mr. Marsh, Rep. Ills..) said there could
be no misunderstanding as to what this
bill meant. IL porvided thta the army
should consist of $1,000 men, but gave the
president the option to increase IT,
Mr.. Lewis. Dem. Wash.) opposed the
bill declared it would perpetuate that
system. recently put I'm force by which
''any person who was anybody, who had
son who was nobody secured an army
appointment. The bill would give theI
president over 5000 commissions to dis
pense and with them 10 secure the co.
operation Of the influential families OF the
country.
TO without divididion The chairmans
announcement OF its adoption was the
signal for an outburst Of applause.
Speaking to a pro forma amendment,
Mr. Vandiver, Dem. MOI expressed his
surprise that we should pay 500 600 900 for
territory that came TO us by right Of cor
quest.
Mr. Johnson, Rep. Ind,) got the floor
O., H. 1,, - a.
" and honesty OF his motives. I'm the
course he had pursued on the pending
bin. He appealed for his vindication 10
the sober second thought which. he said.
was sure to follow when the excitement
and passion Of the hour had passed.
Mr. Cummings at this point offered the
amendment OF which he had given notice
yesterday, 10 prohibit the use of the army
In the several states, except upon tn ap-
plication of the governors thereof lie
had, however, modified the amendment,
but II was defeated. SO 10 12i.
Mr.. Hepburn. (Rep. Iowa.. offered an
amendment providing for gold and silver
medals for two enlisted men in each
regiment holding tie best record at tar
get practice. He offered the amendment.
he said, for the purpose OF increasing the
efficiency Of the RE in action. The amend
ment was adopted
Mr. Warner Rep HIS. moved 10 strike
out a provision to grant to soldiers serv-
Ing In the West Indies or the Pacific ad-
ditional pay equal TO % per cent OF the
pay 10 which they were entitled
The amendment was adopted.
The committee amendment to strike out
the section fixing ,le age limit for persons
appointed to second leiutenancies in the
army at q and 10 champlains az forty
years. was adopted.
ADDITIONAL TIM.
The last section OF the bin had been
reached when the hour OF O'Clock arrived
Under the order the committee then rose
and reported the bill and amendments
to the house.
Chairman Hull asked unanimous consent
for an additional hour Of general debate.
II being understood that Messrs Dalzell.
Rep. Pa, and Mr.. Hopkins Rep MS.
would close for the majority and Messrs
railey Dem. Tex, aud Settle, Dem. Ky.
for the opposition,
Nj. Mahon, Rep. Pa, declined 10 agree
except upon condition that but one vote
should be taken. Thereupon Mr.. Bailey
released Mir Hun from his agreement
and the request was Withdrawn The am
endments were then adopted in gross, af-
ter which Mr. Hay Dem. Va on behalf
Of the opposition, moyer TO recommit The
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