Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-03-02


Washington, March 1.-The last lin
gering possibility of an extra session of
Congress disappeared to-day when the
House passed the Senate army reorgan-
ization bill. Very considerable and Wig
orous opposition to the acceptance of
the Senate bill was voiced on both
sides OF the hall and for a time it APP
peared possible that ehe bill would not
secure the necessary two-thirds TO pass
it under suspension of the rules. But
the Republican leaders, Messrs, Hen
derson, Grosvenor and Cannon came to
its support on the Republican side and
Mr.. Bailey, the Democratic leader,
threw the weight Of his influence in
favor OF it on the Democratic side,
arguing that it provided for only a
temporary increase of the army which
would be made permanent if Congress
were convened in extra session.
Another big element in the vote was
Mr.. Hull's recital OF statement made
by the President TO him that he would
not construe section Y as authority to
conscript the minority in volunteer Or
CARNATIONS which should elect TO re-
main in the service. The bill passed,
203 to 80. 1t now goes to the Pres
ident
The decks were also cleared Of many
other important matters. The gen.
eral deficiency Appropriation bill, car
rying $2l, 0S9 900, was passed under
suspension of the rules without word
Of criticism. This is the last OF the
appropriation bills. The Senate
amendments TO the river and harbor
bill were non-concurTed in, and it was
sent TO conference, the friends of the
Nicaragua amendment having decided
to postpone their fight until the con-
ferees reported.
The Senate is rapidly clearing its
desks for final adjournment. The
naval appropriation bill, which ordAn-
arily consumes the time of the SEN
ate for several days, was passed this
afternoon after less than five hours OF
debate In that time, however, it was
amended radically in one respect. The
price to be paid by the government for
armor plate was fixed in the bill at
$500 ton, reduction Of the amount
fixed by the House Of s145 a ton. In
addition the Secretary Of the Navy
was authorized, in the event Of the re-
fusal Of the armOr plate companies To
supply armor at $500 a ton, TO proceed
20 the construction Of an armor fac
tory TO cost 81 SOC, 600, and placing in
the Secretary's control 81 900 600 with
which To operate the government
plant. The fight for these amend
ments was led by Mr.. Tillman Is. CD,
who made Enthusiastically sensa-
tiOnal speech in support Of the propo-
sition. The Senate adopted resolu-
tons Of regret at the death OF Lord
Herschell, and concluded the days
session By pronouncing eulogies upon
the late Representative Dingley.
The Senate has passed the bin apDro-
priating s90o00D for payment 10 Spain
without dissenting vote or voice.
The River and HaTbor Committee has
IL "a greed 10 all senate amendments 10
the river and harbor bin. including the
Nicaragua canal amendment. The com
mittee also decided 70 report the bin 20
the House to-day. and under suspension
Of the rules move non-concurrerce with
the Senate and reference 70 conference
committee.
Chairman Burton says the motion TO
concur II the Ntcar raglan canal amend
ment is not permissible under Suspension
Of the rules. and he expresses the belief
that all elements will allow the biI- %
IN IN conference