The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-07
sHAFTER, LEE AND WILSON
NOT TO pE RETIRED WITH HIGH
RANK, AS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED.
Action on the Canteen Ciause Ap-
pIauded by Members OF the w. e.
Il. T., Who Filled the Galleries.

WASHINGTON, Dec. s-The House OF
Represe" ,tives, to-day, at the end OF
long sitsg. passed the army reorganiza-
tion bill by a vote OF 1e6 TO lSS. Three Dem
ocrats-Messrs. Hall. OF Pennsylvania, and
Underhill and Clayton. of New York, voted
with the Republicans for the bill. and Mr..
Mccall. Republican. OF Massachusetts,, with
the Democrats against ii. Otherwise IL was
a strict party vote.
The proposition which some OF the Dem
ocrats attempted TO commit their side 10 In
caucus. an extension of the present tenn
porary army until July !, 1905. which was
voted on indirectly on a motion TO recom-
NIT, commanded the votes of only about
half the opposition and two Republicans
Mr.. Mccall. of Massachusetts. and Mr.
Mann, Of illinois. Many Of the Democrats,
however. voted against the motion. be-
cause they were not only opposed 10 the
reorganization bill, but also TO continuing
the temporary army at its present strength.
Quite a number OF amendments were
placed upon the bill before it was passed.
The liveliest fight was made on a substi-
tute offered by Mr.. Littlefield, Of Maine
for the canteen section. The substitute alb
solutely prohibited the sale OF intoxicants
at military posts. 1t was supported by
Messrs. Littleheld, Grosvenor. Dick and
Hay, and opposed by Messrs. Slayden,
Fitzgerald. Pearce. Parker and Bartholdt.
Large delegations from the W. c T. u,
which is in session in this city. watched
the fight from the galleries. When the vote
was taken the prohibition amendment was
carried by an overwhelming majority-159
TO 81. Mr.. Bartholdt attempted 70 secure
a record vote in the House. but the peculiar
parliamentary status shut him out.
The sections designed TO retire General
Shafter as major general and Generals
Fitzhugh Lee and James II. Wilson as
brigadier generals, were stricken out.
Among the amendments adopted were
those providing for fifty volunteer sur
geons and l50 assistant surgeons for serv-
ice in the Philippines; for thirty dental
surgeons and for a veterinary corps with
actual rank The officers OF the pay corps
were increased eleven and OF the signal
corps twenty-three. The age limit was re-
moved from volunteer officers eligible to ap-
pointments as first and second lieutenants
and the provision for retiring officers who
served in the civil war as Of the next high
er grade, was stricken out
When the House met to-day an arrange
ment was agreed to by which the con-
sideration OF the Grout oleomargarine bill.
which was to have come up to-day under
a special order made at the last session,
was postponed until tomorrow. and the
House proceeded with the consideration or
the army reorganization bill.
ACTION ON AMENDMENTS.
The Hepburn amendment to provide that
vacancies in the quartermaster's depart
ment could be filed from civil life, or from
volunteer officers commissioned since April
IS, 1898, which was pending when the House
adjourned yesterday, was voted down with
out division.
After action on amendments. as outlined
above Mr.. McDermott. OF New Jersey, Of
fered an amendment 10 make IL mandatory
upon the President TO reduce the enlisted
force OF the army 10 5000 on Dee. /. 1sos
Mr.. McDermott declared that I'm his opin-
ion IL was the absolute duty of every man.
Irrespective Of party. TO uphold the hands
o. the President So long as we held the
Philippines it was our duty 20 suppress In
surrection. But IL IL was not the intention
to create an undemocratic and un-American
standing army of 10000 for all time the act
should be limited TO two years II the in
surrection could not be suppressed in two
years we should sell the islands TO some
European country which wanted 10 buy a
gold brick. democratic applause.l The
amendment was defeated.
Mr. Littleheld then offered the following
substitute for the canteen provision of the
bill: '"rhe sale OF or dealing In beer. wine
or any intoxicating liquors by any person
In any post exchange or canteen or army
transport or upon any premises used for
military purposes BY the United States il
hereby prohibited. The secretary OF war IS
hereby directed 10 carry the provisions OF
this section into full force and effect
Mr. Littlefield reviewed the long standing
controversy over this subject. and after
reading letter from AdJutant General
Corbin stating that 50 per cent. OF the on
GERS OF the army favored the canteen sys-
tenn he read a statement made by General
Corbin In 1889 condemning the canteen sys-
tenn as not conducive TO the discipline or
the hes; interests of the soldier. Mr.. Lit
tlefleld also read statement by General
Ludlow. who testified to the good effect of