Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-02-27

was given the president to reduce the
size OF companies so that the total force
would be about $4,000 men. and some other
amendments were made; but the bill SUBJ
stantialIy as presented was passed. In the
senate, the committee on military affairs
divided equally on The bill, General Hawley.
the chairman. and four others. reporting
a bill similar to that passed in the house.
while-lve other senators made minority
report opposing the proposed increase, and
suggesting a plan of temporary continu-
ance of the military establishment at G2.ooo
men. with an additional force of $500 to
be used in outlying tnsular POSSESSIONS
These several propositions have aroused
wide differences, and 1t will not be until
the last days of the session. If at all,
that the final form of the measure can be
determined.
The latest phase of the subject Is pre-
scented In a compromise planned by the
party leaders in the senate, after confer
ring with the executive authorities. The
compromise proposes only a slight per-
manent increase of the regular army as
given in detail and authorizes the presi-
dent. until July !, 1901, to maintain Inc
regular army at 5000, and TO raise a force
of not more than $500 volunteer infantry
organized as thirty regiments. This plan
is now pending before the senate.
Nicaraguan Canal.
The Nicaragua canal question also mas
taken a prominent place in the work OF TINS
session. At the outset Mr. Morgan had the
subject made the unfinished business
of the senate. and with this right
of way It was kept constantly De-
fore the senate, when not in executive
session. until finally passed. The essential
feature Of the Morgan bill is in proVioins
that the United States shall participate IN
the construction of the canal. subscribing
for 925, 900 shares at 500 each. out OF totai
of 1000 coo and that the work OF the MATT
time Canal Company. OF Nicaragua IN
executing the work shall be practically un-
der the direction of the United States.
When this bill reached the house commit
fee on commerce. all after the enacuns
clause was struck out. and what Is known
as the Hepburn plan. drafted by Repre-
sentative Hepburn. Iowa, chairman OF the
house committee on interstate and foreign
commerce. substituted. The essential lea
ture of the Hepburn substitute Is In making
the canal exclusively government unoer-
taking. It authorizes the president TO ac-
auire by purchase from Nicaragua anu
Costa Rica the territory necessary Ito ex-
cavate, construct. control and deteno
canal" etc. Such sum as Is necessary 1or
purchasing the right-of-way Is appropri-
eted. When the route is thus secured the
president is authorized to have the secre-
tary of war excavate and construct the
canal from point near Greytown, via
Lake Nicaragua, to q point near Brito on
the Pacific. The sum Of s1l5 900, 900 is appro-
priated for the completion Of the work au-
tborized The canal amendment reported
from the senate commerce committee as
an amendment to the river and harbor bill
was agreed to by the senate and the bill
passed. It Is now before the house COM
mittee on rivers and harbors. with the out
come in doubt on the canal item and the
bill as whole. -i-
AS It was feared tho lateness OF the ses-
sion might prevent consideration Of either
the Morgan bill or the Hepburn plan in the
house. various plans were adopted to Sc
cure action by way of one of the general
appropriation bills. The first move of this
kind was when Mr.. Hepburn offered his
plan as an amendment to the sundry civil
bill. After animated discussion, the amend
ment was ruled out OF order. and on an ap-
peal from this decision the chairman. Mr..
Hopkfns..was sustained. The next move
was made in the. senate, when. at the
instance Of Mr.. Morgan. the COM
merce committee reported an amended form
of the Hepburn plan as an amendment to
the river and harbor bill. It is expected
that the final success or failure of the pro-
ject will not be known until the closing
hours Of the session.
The Twelfth Census.
The bill providing for taking the twelfth
census was first passed by the senate and
provided comprehensive plan for exc
cutting this important work. When the
measure reached the house substitute
was passed. The house measure differs
from that Of the senate mainly in making
the census bureau an Independent organi
cation, not under the interior department,
and in the method of appointments.
Naval Personnel Bill.
An important measure which has passed
both houses and will doubtless become a
law is known as the naval personnel
bill and is entitled bill to reorganiZe and
increase the efficiency of the personnel of
the navy and marine corps. Its main fea-
lures were drawn up by board OF emil
nent naval officers and were designed to
overcome the stagnation in some of the
grades, to expand the personnel to keep
pace with the upbuilding of the new navy
and to reorganiZe the marine corps. 1t
passed the house and the senate in amend
ed form, and is passing through the final
stages OF a conference.
Government of Hawaii.
The Hawaiian bill was presented to both
branches of congress. having been framed
by the Hawaiian commission appointed by
the president, with view to carrying out
the congressional resolution anneXing
Hawaii. 1t provides a comprehensive plan
of territorial government, and fixes the
qualification of electors and officers. The
bill has not, however, passed either branch
of congress, and although regarded as one
of the important pieces of pending legis-
lation 1t is hardly expected that it can
pass all the stages at this late day in the
session. In view of this. several bills deal
ing with special phases in Hawaii have
passed one or the other house. These in
clude bills to extend the custom and reve-
nue. laws to Hawaii; extending the naviga-
tion laws to Hawaii, and extending to the
Hawaiian islands the contract labor laws
of the United States. None of these has
become a law. as they are dependent large
ly on the future of the general Hawaiian
bill.
Anti-ScnIpinE Measure
What is known as the anti-scalping bill
has attracted much interest and occupied
considerable time in both branches of con-
vraSs uaS tho first pieca of panarol