The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-03-30
PORTO RICO RELIEF TARIFF NO DEAL
FOR CAMPAIGN FUNDS.
CASUAL TIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
Senator Aliens Resolution Calling on
Secretary of War for Information on
the Inquiry-Alaska Code Bill Under
Consideration To Press the Porto
Rico Bill to a Vote-Army Bill Before
the House.
SENATE.


Washington, March Ex-senator For
aker. in charge of the Porto Rican bill,
announced at today's session of the
senate that, beginning with tomorrow's
session, he would press the measure to
a vote as soon as possible.
The Alaskan civil ode bill was under
consideration during h greater part
Of the session. An amendment was
agreed to fixing a license upon almost
every kind of trade and in
the district of Alaska, the licenses
ranging from $1.OO to $500 per annum.
The measure had not been disposed of
at the conclusion Of the session.
Senator Hanna. of Ohio. who is
chairman of the republican national
committee, rose 10 a question of per-
sonal privilege. He called attention
to a published alleged interview with
a republican representative saying the
Porto Rican tariff bill had been agreed
upon as a part of a deal" by which
he republican campaign committee
was to receive a large campaign con-
tribution. He said he did not believe
any republican memb ever said it.
He said: Il hope measures will be
taken to investigate this statement. L
brand it as a malicious lie"
A resolution offered by Senator AL
len, of Nebraska, calling for Informal
ton from the war department as to the
casualties in the Philippine war, was
taken up. Senator Gallinger intimated
it's passage would discourage army en-
liStmentS.
Senator Allen declared hat owing to
the climatic n other conditions in the
Philippines an American army could
not .remain there for two years. He
was credibly informed, he said, that
the whole American army would have
to be withdrawn within a few months.
He said that illness and suicide amona
the troops were on the increase.
Senator Hawley, chairman of the
committee on military affairs, was in
clined to think the inquiry ought to be
made, the statistics from the Philip
pines being placed side by side with
similar statistics on the wars of 9TH
er nations. He believed enato Allen
would be disappointed in the result of
his inquiry. In order that the resolu-
ton might be amended it was, on his
motion, referred to the committee on
military affairs.
The senate then adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The house today entered upon the
consideration of the army appropria-
ton bill, carrying Sill, 500. 1854, but the
debate was without exciting incident.
being confined to the discussion of
army matter. Chairman Hull, in
charge of the bill, explained it's pro-
visions.
Mr.. briggs, of New York, favored
an increase in the artillery and caval-
ry branches of the services and a re-
duction Of the infantry arm.
Mr.. Meyer, Of Louisiana, discussed
h Philippine policy, opposing the
retention of the islands.
Mr.. Hull said the estimates had
been s127, 712, 1873. The last appropria-
ton bill carried about $50, 200, 900 and
there was a deficiency of about SAT, 0O0,-
900.
Mr.. Jet believed a deficit inevitable.
He pointed out hat under the law
there could be but three major generals
and six brigadier generals. He read
a list of three major generals and
twenty-seven brigadier generals who
had been promoted and retired almost
Immediately during the last three
years. In some cases an officer was
promoted to the grade of brigadier
general one day and retired the next.
Mr.. Parker, of New Jersey, suggest
ed that nearly every one of these Off
GERS had T in the civil war and
forty years service should entitle them
to retirement as brigardier generals.
Mr.. Jett replied that those officers
had cast in their fortunes with the
army. For a generation of profound
peace they had the emoluments of their
positions and he believed that it was
bad policy to promote simply for the
purpose of retiring them at a higher
rank han hat to which they attained
when the time came for them to retire
on account of age.
Mr.. Ridgeley denunced the tendency
toward militarism and said that within
three years the standing army had
been increased three fold and it's cost
to the people four fold.
Mr.. Cox announced if he had his
way not a dollar should be devoted tC
subjugate the Filipinos. He predicted
that not in the memory Of nan o
living would the army get back to its
old peace footing of $4,000. When he
came to congress the appropriations
| for the army were $780, 900, 900. Last
| year they were S120, O00, 200.
After further discussion the house
at sic p. m. adjourned.
His Life Was Saved