The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-12-07

Representatives yesterday, al the end OF
long sitting, passed the Army Reo--
ganization bill by vote OF l6s 10 l33.
Three Democrats, Messrs. Hall Of Penn
syIvania and Underhill and Clayton OF
New York. voted with the Republicans
for the bill. and Mr.. Mccall CRep) OF
Massachusetts, with the Democrats
against 1t. Otherwise II was a strict party
vote.
The proposition which some OF the
Democrats attempted 10 commit their
side 10 in caucasian extension OF the
present temporary army until July ].
1903-which was voted upon indirectly on
a motion TO recommit, commanded the
votes OF only about half the opposition
and OF two Republicans, Mr.. Mccall and
Mr.. Mann OF Illinois. Many of the DEM
ocrats, however, voted against the mo-
tion because they were opposed not only
TO the Reorganization but also to contin-
uing the temporary army at Its present
strength.
Quite a number OF amendments were
placed upon the bill before II had passed.
The liveliest fight was made upon sub
stitute offered by Mr.. Littlefeld OF Maine
for the canteen section
The substitute absolutely prohibited the
sale OF intoxicants at military posts.
Large delegations from the w. G. TfU.,
which is in session in this city, watched
the tight from the galleries.
When the prohibition amendment was
carried by an overwhelming majority Mr..
Batholdt attempted TO secure record
vote In the House, but the peculiar par
liamontary status shut him out.
SURGEONS AMENDMENT.
Mr.. Hay OF Virginia offered an amend
ment, which was adopted, authorizing
the president TO appoint 80 volunteer
surgeons with the rank OF major and $50
assistant surgeons with the rank of cap
tain for terms OF two years, unless pre-
viously discharged.
Mr. Otey OF Virginia offered an amend
ment 10 empower the surgeon-genersl of
the army to employ not TO exceed 30 dem
tai surgeons, three OF whom should be
chief dental Surgeons. The amendment
was adopted.
Mr.. Bingham OF Pennsylvania offered
an amendment TO provide for corps OF
veterinary surgeons, one chief veterina-
rian with the rank OF colonel. one assist
ant chief with the rank of major four
veterinarians with the rank OF first lieu
tenants. 10 assistants with the rank OF
second lieutenants, 20 assistants with the
rank OF second lieutenants OF cavalry.
Mr.. Hull opposed the proposed amend
ment on the ground that the acceptance
of a section OF the senate bill would
handicap the house conference. Besides,
he favored assimilated rank for the vet
erinary surgeons.s5 satti
Mr.. Mondell OF Wyoming opposed the
Pre- position TO commission "horse doc
tors" as officers Of the United States
army.
After some further discussion the
amendment was adopted. SO to 7S.
Mr. Dick OF Ohio offered an amend
ment 10 increase the pay corps of the
army from three to four pa ynaste-s with
the rank of colonel four to five with tha
rank OF lieutenant-coIonel, from nine TO
~ with the rank OF major. and reducing
those with the rank OF captain from q TO
20.
The amendment was adopted.
TO INCREASE SIGNAL CORPS.
An amendment was adopted to increase
the signal corps by one lieutenant col
onel, two majors ten captains and ten
first llentsnants. and the proviso author
izing the president to appoint ten VOL
unteer signal officers with the rank of
first lieutenants and ten with the rank
of second lieutenants during the contin-
uance of the Philippine war was stricken
out.
Mr.. Hull offered an amendment, which
GERS eligible to the grades OF first and
second lieutenants without regard to
age.
MIR. Hay of Virginia appealed TO his
Democratic associates to vote against a
permanent increase in the standing army
and support the substitute for an extern
sion of the present law. The amendment
was lost.
Ihereupon Mr. Mahon OF Pennsylvania
t.tIr a n.
retire officers below the rank of briga-
dier general who served during the civil
war with the rank and pay OF the next
higher grades. Mr. Hull made an earn
est plea against the amendment. Re-
cause those who wanted provisions OF
the section extended had been disappoint-
ed. he said, this meritorious section
should not be eliminated.
The amendment prevailed.
Mr.. McDermott of New Jersey offered
an amendment 20 make IL mandatory
upon the president TO reduce the enlisted
force of the army to $1,000 on Dec !. 1902
Mr.. McDermott declared that if the In
surrection could not be suppfessed In two
years We should sell the islands TO somo
European country which wanted to buy
gold brick. Democratic, epplause)
The amendment was defeated.
BATTLE OVER THE cANTEEN.
Mr.. Littleneld of Maine offered the
following substitute for the canteen pro-
vision Of the bill:
THE sale OF or dealing IN beer, wine
or any intoxicating liquors by any per-
son In any post. exchange or canteen or
army transport or upon any premises
used for military purposes by the United
states is hereby prohibited The secre-
tary OF war is hereby directed 10 carry
the provisions OF this section into fun
force and effect"
Mr. Littleheld reviewed the long stand
ing controversy over this subject and tho