Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-01
55th CONGRESS.
The Army Bill Passed by
House, 166 to 126.
$4,000 Regulars Which President
Can Increase to 100000.
The Senate Continues Debate OF Our Polio,
in the Philippines.

aShinGtOn, Jan. Jl.-The Dill 10 re-
organize and Increase the standing
army to about 100000 men, and leaving
the President authority to reduce the
size of infantry companies and cavalry
troops TO prevent menace. thus fixing
minimum of about 10000 enlisted
Inen, passed the House. today, by a
vote of 16s to 125. This was the result
of a week Of hard and often pictures
que fighting on the floor. during which
the progress of the opposition com
PEELED those in charge of the measure
to give this discretionary authority to
the President. and to make other modi-
fcations. among which was reduction
of 81 In the number of staff officers.
In consequence OF these modifica-
lions. the Republican opposition prac-
tically vanished and on the final vote
but six Republicans voted against the
bill-Messrs. Barber. Nd: Connolly.
H.: Loud, Cal. Johnson. Ind; Nc
Evan. \. j.: and Wadsworth. y. Y.
This Republican detection was, how
ever. almost offset by five members Of
the opposition who voted in favor Of
the bill. Messrs. Berry. Ky; McCIellcn.
n. y: McAleer. Pa; Taylor, Ala:
Democrats, and Skinner. Pop. y. G.
The galleries were crowded throughout
the day and every member who could
possibly be here wasDon the floor 10
record his vote on the final roll call
The programme. today. included a
provision for two hours of general de-
bate which was to be occupied by
Mcssrs. DalzelI, Pa. and Hopkins, H..
in closing for the majority, and Messrs.
Baily, Tex. and Settle, Ky. Tor the OPP
position. but this programme was
smashed. owing to the failure to COM
plcte the bin under the 5-nlinute rule
before 8 o'clock, the hour set for the
vote.
Among the important amendments
adopted before the vote was taken, was
one to exclude the appointments of
civilians to positions in the engineer
corps. one to abolish cantecns and the
sale of liquor in camps. and one 10
strike out the provision for additional
pay for the commands serving in the
West Indies, the Philippines and
Alaska The amendment of Mr. Cum
minss of New York. to prohibit the use
of troops in the several states to sup
press riots. etc, expect upon the appli-
cation of the states, was defeated by II
large majority. The motion to recon-
nit with instructions to report back
the minority substitute. commanded
only two Republican votes and was
lost. III to 10.
The bill as passed provides in addi-
ton to the general officers and staff dc
partments for II regiments of cavalry
of T. troops each, 1i4 coast batteries,
81 field batteries. 80 regiments of in
fantry, of /: companies each. a corps
of engineers and one regiment of enSi-
neers. an ordnance department and
signal corps. the latter with 625 enlist
ed men. 1t also gives the President
discretion to recruit the organizations
serving in Cuba. Porto Rico and the
islands of the Pacific in whole or in
part from the inhabitants thereof.
Before the House adjourned. today.
the river and harbor bill was formally
called up in order to make it the un-
finished business in the committee of
the whole.
The House met. at II o'clock today.
This was the closing day of the debate
on the army reorganization bill. The
opposition before the session opened,
had practically abandoned hope of be-
ing able to compass either the defeat
of the bill or it's recommittal.
When the House resumed work on
the bill, section II relating to the pay
department had been reached. The
of paymaster- generals with the
rank of colonel provided in the bill was
reduced from four to three with the
rank of lieutenant colonel from eight
to five. and paymaster with the rank
OF major from Al to So. The limit for
in this department was
reduced from 30 to 40.
In the corps of engineers the numer
of colonels was reduced from 10 to
eight; lieutenant colonies. 20 to 16; ma
jors. 36 to 80: captains. Al to So: first
so to 40, and second lieu
tenants, so to 40.
Bromwell. Rep, Ohio. moved to
strike out the provision authorizing
the appointment of engineers from civil
life. The amendment was supported by
Rep. Mass. but opposed by
Rep. ILL.,. who favored the APP
pointment of officers from civil life.
Marsh pointed out that the great cngi
neer scheme of Eades was secuted by
the regular army officers. 1t was en-
Iirely proper, he contendcd. that bright
young engineering genIuses in civil life
who had not been able ITO secure Il West
Point appointment. should have Il
chance.
Lacey, Rep. Iowa. argued that the
exclusion of civilians would be in the
direction Of supporting West Point.
which was distinctively an engineering
school
Dockery, Dem, Mo-, said the best re-
suits in government work had always
been obtained from army engineers.
Cannon, Rep. ILL.,. directed attention
to the amendment Cummings, Dem. !
N. Y, yesterday, gave notice he would
offer to prevent the use Of it's troops
as posse comitatus, or in putting down
strikes or riots, except upon the written
application of the governorof the state. !
That amendment. said Cannon. pro-
posed to put it out of the power Of
Continued on page 81
It's the little colds that grow into big
.nIdS. the hio colds that end IN con Sump- !