Evening star., 1899-01-30
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE

AT lHe opening OF the SESSION OF tHe
House today Mr.. Hopkins t1li) reported the
census bill. and gave notice that he would
call it w next Monday.
The House then resumed the considera-
tion of the army reorganization bill. under
today under the five-minute rule the time
tomorrow before o'clock be devoted to
general delate. This arrangement was
made to give the leaders each side an
opportunity to close.
The first amendment offered today was
that of which the committee had given no.
tic authorizing the President 10 enlist only
sixty men in a cavalry troop and sixty in
an infantry company. Mr.. Marsh UllD,
who offered the amendment, saiS that this
would reduce :he enlisted force to $4,000 if
the President exercised the discretion it
conferred upon him.
The exact form of such amendment was
as follows: Provided, The President. in his
discretion. may enlist only sixty men in q
troop of cavalry, or reduce the number Of
enlisted men in a troop of cavalry to not
less than sixty. to be organized, so far as
ron-Commissioned officers are concerned.
under regulations of the War Depart
ment.
Mr.. Hay (Va.) of the minority of the
committee protested to the House that it
was impossible to perfect a bill on the floor
of the House. He would offer an amend
mcnt. he said. to have the bill provide for
only sixty men in an infantry company or
a cavalry troop but give the President dis
cretior to increase the number to 1i5 and
1ta}. respectively. this discretion, however
only to be exercised in time of war.
At this time warm alteration occurred
between Mr.. johnson Und.) and Mr.. Payne
IN ". who was in the chair. the former
claiming that the chair refused to recog-
nize him. Mr.. Payne explained that MIR.
johnson had already consumed much time
and he had felt constrained to recognize
other members.
Too much Johnson" shouted Mr.. Taw
rey (Minn.), amid laughter.
Mr.. DeArmond tMoD objected TO the
amendment On the ground that the discre-
tionary power was to be exercised in the
wrong direction. The bill, he contended,
should provide for only 5000 men, and the
President should take the responsibility of
increasing it to 1uo.GtU. 1t should not pro-
vide for leo 900 and give the President dis
erection to reduce it.
Mr.. Marsh's amendment relating to the
cavalry troops was adopted-1o5 to 81
Mr. Hay then offered the amendme mt of
which he had given notice, and 1t was lost.
Mr. Perkins Qowa) pointed out that the
only difference between the minority sub
stitut- and the panding bill was that one
gave the President discretion to enlist 90
et1 volunteers and the other 10000 Tegu-
lars. Both sides conceded that for at least
two years an increase in tn army was nee
esSdry.
Mr. Hay pointed out that the minority
authority to Il temporarily increase the army.
But the pending bill provides for an
army of 10a,Ho1." interrupted Mr.. Simpson
tKas), and gives him authority TO reduce
1t to jS,0p0. Does any one suppose he will
exercise that authority?'
No one asSented Mr. Hay.
NO one but a lunatic,' observed Mr..
Simpson.
The bill lodges discretion in tha hands
of Il President who is already committed to
an army of la.e1U" exclaimed Mr. Ma
guirc tcaLD.
Opposed to Army of 100000.
Mr.. Johnson UndD denounced what he
termed the attempt to befog the issue and
place the opponents of the bill in a false
position. He was willing to vote for bill
to reorganize the army. hut he was unwiil
ing to vote for an army of 1tnGpl, which
he firmly believed was to- he used when
Congress adjourned 10 annex foreign terri
terry and foisting upon the country and
posterity colonial policy This bill was
sanctioned by the President he had no
doubt, and the compromise had been
brought in to a'lay the opposition. Its ef
feet was to mislead the people. Its plIr-
pose was and would be to create an army
of 1Upi isn.
Minor Amendments Adopted.
Some miner amendments were adopted as
the reading OF the bill proceeded.
Mr.. Clark tMol in characteristic speech
declared that there was an epidemic of
hys;eIia in the House and that II member
not seized with the malady could not get q
hearing. The democrats should b. in favor
OF a war To free a people; the republicans
were anxious for a war To ensiave a / ,4u,c.
The republicans jeareI when ne drew "A
picture Of the miiitarism nj the future.