The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-18

" Elm ESOA1 4 MOnN
hard fight Of substitute for the organi1a-
ticn Of the marine corps, BY which the
corps IL to consist of 5000 enlisted men
stat.
This will increase the marine corps BY
1900 men and increase the cost of Its MAIN
tcnancc $500, 900.
Several unimportant bills were passed
by unanimous consent before the per-
sonnet bill was taken UP.
Immediately after the reading OF the
journal Mr.. Mccleary (Rep.. Mimi. on
behalf Of the banking and currency COM
mittce made statement to the effect
that the vote on the currency bill reported
at the last session had been irregularly
taken In the committee and he therefore
asked that the bill be recommittcd.
This does not mean that the bill ia to
be abandoncd?" asked Mr.. Richardson
tDem., TENN.
mo, sir M s
The other side has promised currency
reform. continued Mr.. Richardson, and
would like to know II the bill Is again
TO be reported ?,
IL am neither prophet nor the son Of
prophet, {" responded vir. McCleary.
MIR. Mitchell tRep., n. W explained
that there had been some irreRularity In
the vote. and in order to avoid any show
this action had been decided upon. There
was no objection and the bill was recon-
mitted. s.sls WI
81 Mr.. Mercer (Rep, Ncb) asked unani-
nous consent for the consideration OF
the bill for the aid OF the exposition OF
Greater America, TO be held at Omaha,
Neb., but Mr.. Richardson objected be-
cause the bill had not been considered by
q committee OF the house, s
bill was passed to amend the act
granting a right of way through the In
dian Territory to the Gainesville, McAlcs-
ter and ST. Louis Railroad company.
The house then went into committee OF
the whole and resumed consideration OF
the naval personnel bill.
MIR. Bailey Dem. Texas) moved to
strike out from section I the following
provlso: And provided further that moth
ing contained In this section shall be con-
strucd TO prevent the retirement - off,
GERS with the rank and pay of commo-
dores.''
rThc rank of commodore" he said, has
been abolished In the active list by the
bill. Why should 1t be continued in the
retired list?"
Mr.. Bailey's amendment was lost so to
liz.
Mr.. Bailey then offered an amendment
TO strike out from section s the section
providing for compulsory retirement. the
provision for retirement OF the officers
with the pay and rank of the next higher
grade.'
Mr.. Foss asked II any inducement had
to be held out to officers to voluntarily
retire.
MIR. Bailey said he had hardly expected
g. ..N. h. SAINT Lao ~ N
charge Of the bill.
You seek" he decls1eh, ito place a
premium on retirement from the service,
You propose TO hire men to quit In order
that the lower officers may he promoted
more rapidly. You propose TO follow this
with similar bill for retirement from,
army service"
The amendment was lost. whereupon
Mr.. Bailey moved to strike out the whole
section. Dcteated-So tn ~.
Mr. Southland tRep.. Ohio, on behalf o.
the committee, offered an amendment,
which was adopted, creating regular
Judge advocates corps, TO consist Of ons
Judge advocate general. che assistant Judge
advocate general, one deputy Judge advo'
cate and two Judge advocates,
Mr.. Simpson Pop, Kan.) moved to strike
out the provision abolishlng the two ycass
sea course for naval cadets. 1T was Dc
feated. III
Mr.. Foss offered committee substitut,
tor section "a. providing that boatswains
gunners, carpenters and sail makers, shall
after ten years from date OF the war
rant. be commissioned chief boatswain,
chief gunners etc, to rank with and aftel
ensigns. and that they shall on promotion
have the same pay and allowances now al
lowed second lieutenants In the marine
corps. II was adopted.
Another amendment. abolishing prize
money for the capture or destruction oil
the enemy's ships in time of war. was also
adopted without debate or division.
Mr.. Cummings offered COMMITTEES
amendment for The retirement Of anlisrct
men and petty officers Of the navy astci
thirty years service on three quarters pay
service in the civil or Spanish American
war to he computed as double time. II
was adopted.
Mr. Meyer Dem., La, on behalf OF the
committee. offered q substitute for the Sec
lions covering the marine corps Under II
the marine corps would consist Of one
commandant With the rank Of major gen
eral one brgadier general Ave colonies
five lieutenant colonies. ten majors, sixty
captains sixty first and second class lieu
tenants, practically doubling the number
of officers provided for In the original bill
Vacancies are to be filled az far as pos
/ sible by seniority from the active line
commissions III IHe pfcstHt SoiPo Hot ~
be vacated. vancancics after promotion are
to be filled by transfer from the line Of
the navy not above the grade OF junior
lieutenant, from those who served as sec.
ond lieutenants in the marine corps dur
ing the Spanish war for meritorous con-
duct, non commissions or from civil life
Only a portion OF the officers are to be
appointed before January I. 1900. The staff
of the marine corps Is TO consist OF an
adjutant and inspector. quartermnster
paymaster. each with the rank OF colo
mel. an assistant ndjutant general and in
| spector. two assistant quartermasters, one
assistant paymaster, each with the rank
Of major and three assistant quartermas'
ters with the rank OF captain. During
service with fleets senior officers are tc
hold rank next above their rank In the
corps. II provides for 5000 petty officers
and enlisted men
In response to an inquiry. Mr., Meyer sait
the substitute would strengthen the ma
rine corps 1900 men and increase the cost
Mr.. Bennett rep. ~ " moved &c
strike from the substitute the provision fol
major general.
| Mr.. Meyer said In the preparation OF tht
substitute the army organization bill nae
| been followed but upon solicitation nt
| accented the Bennett amendment, strikins
ont the provision for major general
| tn s,,bsfitute was adopted--s5 TO So.