The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-20
THE INCREASE OF THE ARMY.
REORGANIZATION BILL BEFORE
SENATE THIS WEEK.


Oppose a Permanent Increase OF
the Army-Census Bill Now in
Conference-snmpson-SchIey Com
trOversy to Come Up-Anti-scnIp-
ing BilI viii he Abandoned--Many
Minor Bills.
Washington, Feb 19.--The week Will be
a busy one in the Senate with only
twelve days of the session left, all sena-
tors appreciate the necessity of very strict
and close attention to business in order
10 get through the bills which all admit
must become laws in order to prevent
an extra session of Congress.
Very rarely has it occurred that there
have been so many important measures
on the Senate calendar so short a time
before the final adjournment of the last
session of a Congress. There are, how
ever, only comparatively few of these
bills outside the appropriation bills which
must necessarily be acted upon before ad-
journment, and if the Senate dlsposes of
these with the same facility that 1t has
used In getting rid of other important bills
during the past week, the session will be
closed up in good order and with time to
spare.
The army reorganization bill and the
census bill are in reality the only two
measures aside from the appropriation
bills upon which final action would seem
absolutely necessary. The census kill has
passed both houses, and is now in confer
ence, and Is reasonably sure of enactment
i'm some shape.
The army bill Is yet to receive the at
tentlon of the Senate. Other measures
which win be pressed to u certain extent
are the Alaskan code bill, the Hawaiian
territorial organization bill and various
other bills pertaining to Hawaii.
Fight Over the Army Bill.
The contest over tne army bill which
was promised for last week was postponed
until the present week, largely because
the storm of the first days OF the week
prevented consideration of tile bill by the
military committee. Senator Hawley
chairman of the committee on military
affairs, has given notice that he Will seek
to have the bill taken up for consideration
Immediately after the disposal Of the rou-
tine business Monday morning.
With the bill once before the Senate
Senator Cockrell will proceed to give the
reasons of the oppos .tion to a permanent
increase in the army, and he Will be fol-
lowed by other senators IN .lhe opposition
so long as no disposition is manifested 10
abandon at least some pot IONS OF the
House bill.
The vital point of difference between the
two sides of the chamber is the duration
OF time for which the increase in the army
fe. IA ha ma nd
that 1t shall be permanent and the Dem
ocrats refuse to make ii more than tenn
porary. The latter declare that they will
not abandon their position, and say that
whatever is done must be done with this
understanding. Some of the friends of the
bill have suggested the acceptance of the
Hull bill with an amendment making the
increase for only a specified time; but
the Democrats generally manifest a dis
position not to accept this change as they
say it would leave the way open for the
Republicans to get the legislation they
want In the next Congress by repeating
the temporary provision.
So far no tangible basis for a compro-
mise has been suggested on either side
but some of the most influential members
of the Senate are working to thai end,
and the prediction is freely made that they
viii succeed before the close OF the ses-
sion.
Supplies and Appropriations.
or the supply bills, the Senate now has
before ii only the postofilce appropriation
bill and the river and harbcr bill. OF
tEese the postoffice bill has received par
tial attention and the river and harbor
bill none. 1t is expected that the sundry
civil bill will be reported late In the week.
The river and harbor bill Will probably
arouse considerable discussion, and there
viii be an effort TO defeat the Nicaragua
canal amendment on a point of order.
There are still four important approprl-
alton bills, namely the naval army, for
tihcations and deficiency bills, which have
not yet been received from the House OF
Representatives.
Senator Cul.om says he will make an
effort 10 get up the general bill providing
a government for Hawaii but the chances
of success are very slim. Senator Fair
banks viii also undertake to call up the
bill extending the anti-contract labor laws
to Hawaii. There may be an effort 10
amend this measure, and II also may fail
Senator Curtis will continue 10 press the
Alaskan bill whenever opportunity az
fords.
The sampson-schley controversy will
almost certainly come up In the executive
session.
The anti-scaping bill will be abandon
ed. For the rest, there are many minor
bills on the calendar which Will give the
Senate plenty to do when e IS not on
gsged with the more momentous aues-
tons. Wednesday will be devoted 10 no
reading Of Washngton's farewell address
and to eulogies on the late Senator MorriI
CARRIED sHIPWRECKED CREW.