Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-07

(By Telegraph to Virginian-P ilot)
Washington, Dec. 6.-The House OF
Representatives. today at the end OF a
long sitting passed the army reorganl-
cation bill by vote of 1G6 to 1873. Three
Democrats. Messrs. Hall, of Pennsyl-
vania, and Underhill and Clayton. of
New York. voted with the Rcpubli-
cans for the bill, and Mr. Mccall. of
Massachusetts. with the Democrats
against it. Otherwise 1t was u strict
party vote.
The proposition which some of the
Democrats attempted to commit their
side to in caucus an extension of the
present temporary standing army until
July l. 1908 which was voted upon in
directly on motion TO recommit,
commanded the votes of only about
half the opposition and of two Repub-
licans. Messrs. Mccall and Mann, of
Illinois. Many of the Democrats. how
ever. voted against the motion because
they were opposed not only 10 the re-
organization bill. but also to continu-
Ing the temporary army at it's present
strength.
LIVELY FIGHT.
Quite a number of amendments were
placed upon the bin before it was
passed The lVeiiest fight was made
teiield. of Maine for Tie canteen sec
ton. The substitute absolutely pro-
hibitcd the sale OF in;oxicants at mill
tary posts. 1t was supported by
Messrs. Littleheld, Grosvenor CRep.,
Ohio, DICK QRep., ohio, ana Hav
(Dem.. Na,). and opposed by Messrs.
Slayden Dem, Texas. Fitzgerald
(Dem., Mass.), Pearce Rep., MOI, Par
kcr Uiep., n. J), and Bartholdi (Rep.,
MOI
Large delegations from the w. C. Il.
u, which is in session in this city,
watched the fight from the galleries.
AMENDMENT CARRIED.
When the vote was taken the pro-
hibiting amendment was carried by an
overwhelming majority 1853 TO 81. Mr..
Bartholdt attempted to secure n record
vote in the House, but the peculiar
parliamentary status shut him out. The
sections designing to retire General
Shaftcr rs n major general ana Cen
eral fitIhuSh Lee and James IL. Will
son as brigader generals were strick-
en- out. Among the amendments adopt
ed were those providing for fifty vol
unteer surgeons and $50 assistant sur
geons for service in the Philippines;
for thirty dental surgeons and for n
veterinary corps with actual rank. The
officers of the pay corps We're in
creased eleven and of the signal corps
twenty-three The age limit was re-
moved from volunteer officers eligible
to appointment as first and second lieu
tenants and the provision for retiring
officers who served in the civil war as
of the next higher grade was stricken
out.
The oleomnrGarine bill which was
postponed today viii come up for con-
Sideration tomorrow.
The Hepburn amendment to provide
that vacancies In tie quartcrmaster's
department could be filled from civil
life or from volunteer officers commits
stoned since April 10. lSaS, which was
pending when the House adjourned
yesterday, was voted down without di-
vision.
Mr.. Hay Wa), offered an amend
ment. which was adopted. authorizing
the President to appoint fifty volunteer
surgeons with the rank of major ana
100 assistant surgeons with the rank
of captain for terms Of two years un-
less previously discharged.
DENTAL SURGEONS.
Mr.. otey Na), offered an amend
ment to empower the surgeon general
OF the army to employ mot to eXccetI)
thirty dental surgeons, three of whom
Should lie CHIEF dental surgeons.
Mr.. Otcy made humorous speech
In support &c the amendment, appeal
Ing to every member TO vote in the
interest Of 3 POO 00G teeth 'lrresnectivc
Of party or the result of the late cleo
ton" said he. vote to rid the old sol
dier OF the toothache."
The amendment was adOnted
VETERINARY SURGEONS.
Mr.. Bingham Pennsylvania) offered
an amendment to provide for CORPS
Of veterinary surgeons. one chief vet
erinaran with the rank Of colonel one
assistant chief with the rank Of major.
four veterinarians with the rank of first
lieutcnants, ten assistants with The
rank of second ieutenants 90 assist
ants with the ranl, Of second liau.en-
ants of cavalry. MI HUI Howa) end
Mr. Hay (Virginia) opposed the
amendment.
The amendment YVES adopted so TO
70
Mr.. Dick (ohio> offered an amend
ment. which was adopted to Increase
the pay corps Of the army from TO
Paymasters with the rank of colonel.
four to five with the rank OF lieuten-
ant colonel, from nine to twenty with
the rank of major. and reducing those
with the rank of captain from - to 20.
FORTHCOMING SUBSTITUTE.
Mr.. Mcclellan (New Yorl,) gave no
tice that at the proper time he should
offer substitute for the whole bill to
continue in force the present law for
q provisional army
An amendment was adonted to in
crease the signal corps by one lieuien-
ant colonel. two majors ten Contains
and ten first lieutenants. and the pro
viso authorizing the President TO an
point ten volunteer signal officers with
the rank of first lieutenants and ten
with the rank of second lieutenants
during tho continuation of the Philip
pine war was stricken out.
Mr.. Hull offered an amendment,