The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-27

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an amendment to the sundry civil bill.
but was ruled out on technical grounds.
Later 1t passed as an independent men-
sure. Efforts were made to add TO 1t d
declaration OF the policy of the govern
meat as 10 the Philippines. bur this
was defeated by the overwhelming vote
OF 2l3 to "a. The resolution OF Senator
McEnery. declaring the policy toward
the Philippines. came to the house and
was referred TO the committee on for
eign AFFAIRS. but no final action is prob
able. g
Another important measure resulting
from the war Is that known MS the Hull
bill. or the Huil-Hawley bill. for the in
crease and reorganization Of the regu-
lar army. Following the new condi-
lions arising TWO plans OF army increase
were presented to Congress. The house
military committee first took up the
subject. and after elaborate hearings
presented. through Chairman Hull. Il
bill having the approval OF the war de-
partment. 1t increased the army to APP
prOSimately 100, 600 men. When consid-
cred In the house the grade OF lieuten-
ant general was struck out, discretion
was given the President to reduce the
Size OF the companies, SO that the total
force would be about 10000 men. and
some other amendments were made,
but the bill substantially as presented
was passed. In the senate the commit
tee on military affairs divided equally
on the bill, General Hawley, the chair
man. and four others reporting u bill
similar TO that passed In the house.
while five other senator's made Il minor
ity report, opposing the proposed In
crease, and suggesting a plan OF tenn
porary continuance OF the military es-
Establishment at $1,000 men. with an ad-
ditlonal force Of $4,000 men 10 be used
In outlying insular possessions. These
several propositions have aroused wide
differences. and It viii not be until the
last days OF the session. II at all. that
the final form OF the measure can be
determined.
The Nicaraguan canal question also
has taken Il prominent place In the
work Of this session.
AT the outset Mr.. Morgan had the
subject made the unfinished business OF
the senate. and with this right OF way
1t was kept constantly before the SEN
ate, when not In executive session. until
finally passed. The essential feature OF
the Morgan bill Is In providing that the
United States shall participate In the
construction OF the canal. subscribing
for 925, 900 shares at 500 each, out OF
Il total OF !, e00. 900. and that the work of
the Maritime Canal company. of Near
aqua. is executing the work shall be
practically under the direction Of the
United States. When this bill reached
the house committee on commerce, ali
after the enacting clause struck out,
and what Is known as the Hepburn
plan, drafted by Representative Hep
burn. Of Iowa. chairman of the house
committee on Interstate and foreign
commerce. substituted. The essential
feature OF the Hepburn substitute Is In
making the canal exclusively govern
ment undertaking. II authorizes the
President to acquire by purchase from
Nicaragua and Costa Rico the territory
necessary to eXcarate. construct and
control and defend canal. etc. Such
sum as Is necessary for purchasing the
right OF way Is appropriated. When
the route Ia thus secured the President
Is authorized to have the secretary Of
war excavate and construct the canal
from point near Greytown. via Lake
Nicaragua. to a point near Brite. on
the Pacific. The sum Of 3l15. 900 Is
appropriated for the completion OF the
work authorized.
AS 1t was feared the lateness OF the
session might prevent consideration Of
either the Morgan bill or the Hepburn
plan In the house, various plans were
adopted to secure action by way OF one