Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-03
ATTACK ON ADMINISTRATION
TREATMENT OF VOLUNTEERS IN THE
PHILIPPINES DISCUSSED.
Debate In the Senate on the Army Bill
-OppOsition to Haste in the
Clark Case.

Consideration of the army appropriation
bill in the Senate yesterday afternoon de-
veloped debate on the treatment Of the
volunteer soldiers sent to the Philippines
that at times very bitter. Mr.. Turner
(Wash) made vicious attack upon the
administration because of the alleged lack
of accommodations afforded the volunteers
on the transports returning from the Phil
ippines. He was followed by Mr.. Petit
grew, who in long speech violently ar
raigned the government for not discharg-
ing the South Dakota volunteers when
their time had expired.
Just before adjournment a sharp colloquy
occurred over the proposed consideration of
the resolution to unseat Mr.. Clark of Mon
tana which indicated that the unanimous
recommendation of the committee on privi-
leges and elections will be sharply con-
tested.
Mr.. Turner of Washington advocated his
amendment providing that the volunteer
soldiers in the Philippines should receive
travel pay and commute ton of subsistence,
less the actual cost of their transportation
to the United States. when they remained
there and performed willing service after
they were entitled to discharge. He said
the amendment applied to 10000 officers
and men scattered all over the country.
affecting men in nearly a score of states.
The Secretary of War had estimated the
cost of carrying this amendment into eff
feet at S7.WO.000. but he was satisfied that
the Secretary had been imposed upon: He
did not think it would require more than
81, 5OO.OOO
Mr.. Turner appealed to General Hawley
as a patriot of the civil war to do justice
to the young patriots of '9S.
Mr.. Hawley said he served in the army
for four years, and the government had
paid him every cent he was entitled to. He
then made the point of order against the
amendment that it was a change of existing
law The point of order sustained.
T,a -k.a oh NJ Do vtaHN do
clared that there was a distinction between
the treatment of the Aston Battery and the
Utah Battery. He said that the Aston Bat
terry had been given just what was proposed
by Mr.. Turner's amendment, yet the Utah
Battery was not allowed the same pay.
1T was an outrage" declared Mr.. Raw
Inns, which no man loving justice would be
guilty Of"
Says Volunteers Were Detained.
Mr.. Pettigrew bitterly denounced the gov
eminent for keeping the volunteers in ser
vice after their time had expired.
Mr.. Nelson thought if Mr.. Pettigrew had
had experience in the civil war he would
not have uttered the words he had against
the government. He told of the veteran
bounty offered during the civil war-a
bounty of $500. two months furlough and
transportation home for re-enistment. This
was offered because the veterans were more
valuable as soldiers than green men. So it
was in the Philippines. The men who had
served there were more valuable than new
men. who might be sent to the islands. He
believed that the men of the South Dakota
regiment would resent the utterances of
Mr.. Pettgrew imputation against
their loyalty and patriotism.
Mr.. Pettigrew replied that Mr.. Nelson's
attack" upon the South Dakota soldiers
would be resented if he were were they could
get at him. but said he. they will have
to take it out in an opinion Of the senator's
bravery"
Mr. Petfiprew thnD oft
from officers and men of the South Dakota
regiment in support of the statements he
had made.
Commenting upon one of the letters, Mr..
Pettigrew said that hundreds of soldiers
who had served in the Philippines were now
inmates of St Ellzabeths Insane Asylum
at Washington At least 200, he declared,
had committed suicide.
Mr.. Pettigrew. in the course of his re-
marks. had a letter read which he wrote to
the President. in which he used most vo-
lent and abusive language against the chief
executive.
Mr.. Pettigrew asked unanimous consent
to print as an appendix to his remarks
other documents but Mr.. Platt Comm OBJ
jected. and the South Dakota senator Pro-
ceeded to read them. He yielded the floor
for an executive session. promising to con-
clude his statement at another time.
Mr. Tillman, pending the motion for
executive session, offered resolution call
ing upon the Secretary of War for informa-
ton of the amount and character of claims
filed with the War Department for damages
done by the United States soldiers in and
near camps for the troops established in
this country during the war with Spain and
directing him to report what amount in his
opinion, was justly and equitably due to
claimants. The resolution was passed.
The Clark Case.
Mr.. Hoar (Mass) then gave notice that
at the conclusion of morning business to-
day he would move to proceed to the con-
Of Ia NJ