The Portland daily press., 1900-12-07

upon the President to reducs the enlisted
foroe Of the army 70 5000 on December
1, 1vU2.
Mr.. McDermott declared that II the
insurreotion could not be suppressed In
two years we should sell the islands 10
some Eurcpsan country which wanted
to buy gold brick. democratic ap-
pIauss.) The amendment was defeated
Mr.. Littlaiieid OF Maine, offered the
following substitute for the cantsen pro-
vision Of the bill;
1.-THE sale OF or dealing In beer. wine
or any intoxicating liquors By any person
In any post, exchange, canteen or army
tranport or upon any premises used for
military purposes by the United states.
is hereby prohibited. The Secretary Of
War is hereby directed to carry the pro-
visions OF this section into full force and
effect"
Mr.. LittlefieId reviewed the long stand
ing controversy over this subject and the
legislation enacted. Mr.. Littlefield
read a letter from Adju!ant General
Corbin, stating that SO per cent OF the
officers of the army favored the canteen
system and then an other statement made
by Gen Corbin in 1872, condemning the
csuteen system as not conducive to the
discipline OF the best interests OF the
soldier
Mr.. Fitzgerald OF Massachusetts, opposed
the amendment. He said he believed
that every sensible mem Der must reoog-
nize that the cauteen system as now
operated, was the best method OF hand
ling this question. "It is Impossible, he
said. ITO enforce prohibition in any part
OF this country or of the world"
Mr.. Fitzgerald concluded with an at
tack upon prohibition as 1t obtained In
Maine.
Mr.. Grosyenor Of Ohio declared that
prohibition had been failure wherever
it had been tried. Nevertheless, he said,
he would vote for the amendment.
After some further debate by MIR. Hay
of Virginia, and Mr.. Dick of Ohio In
favor OF the amendment, and Mr.. Siay-
den of Texas, Mr.. Pearce of Missouri,
MIR. Parker of New Jersey and MIR. Bar
thoIdt of Missouri against 1t, Mr.. Little
field devoted his closing spsech to defend
ing prohibition In Maine.
Inc amendment was adopted 159 to bl.
Many members OF the VIC. L. U. were
in the gallery and loudly applauded the
result.
MIR. Fitzgerald then proposed an
amendment to prohibit the sale OF liquor
In the Capitol building,
Mr. Hull made the point OF order yes
terday that the amendment was not ger
maine. Mr.. Fitzgerald said that II the
soldiers were to be prevented from drink
ing upon the premises OF the Unitsd
States, members OF Congress should not
be allowed to drink in the Capitol. The
chair sustained the point Of order
wherein oon Mr.. Williams of Mississippi
asked unanimous consent that Mr.. Fitz-
gerald be allowed to offer his amend
ment.
II object,'' said Mr. Shattuck Of Ohio.
MIR. Klu.z Of south Carolina moved to
strike out the section for the retirement
of Gen. Shafter as a major general. He
was opposed. he said, TO the promotion
and retirement Of officers, MIR. jet oil
Illinois supported the motion.
MIR. Hull reviewed General Skaters
career and contended that the proposition
to retire him as a major general was an
act OF meagre justice to distinguished
officer.
The motion prevailed l3l to 100.
MIR. Jet then moved to strike out the
section to retire Gen. Fitzhugh Lee and
Gen. James II. Wilson rs brigadier gen.
erals, and 1t also prevailed. There was
no division on this vote. This completed
the bill which was then reported ID the
House where Mr.. Mcclellan moved TO re-
with Instructions to report back
q bill extending the present law until
July II, 1913.
The motion to recommit was lost IS to
94s. Two Republicans, Mccall OF Massa-
and Mann of Illinois, voted
with 6f members of the opposition for
this motion. Many Democrats voted
with the Republicans against this mo-
tion. a roll call was demanded tor the
final passage of the bill. This bill was
passed l66-l33, and at 6 p. M, the House
adjourned.