The Washington weekly post., 1900-12-11
Wednesdays session.

Somewhat severe and unexpected crit
icism of the army reorganization bin by
Republicans was the only feature that
stood out in the usual monotony of Iegis-
lation Wednesday IN the House. Two
hours Of general debate on each
side occupied a large portion OF
the session, during which Repre-
sentative Mccall, of Massachusetts,, Re-
publican of marked ability, whose inde-
pendenee and individuality as q legislator
brought him no little prominence last ses-
sion, announced his opposition 10 the
measure. Col. Hepburn, of Iowa, argued
Tor some amendments 10 the bill, and In
connection with provisions for the quar-
termaster's department engaged in some
keen criticism of the American campaign
before Santiago
Mr.. Mccall was about the only speaker
or the afternoon who attracted an atten-
tive audience. He was one of the Repub-
lican bolters against the Porto Rican tariff
bill, and during the summer proved one of
the most popular Republican stump
speakers. At the November election his
people showed their approval of him by
$500 more votes than were given the Pres
idential electors in his district
Attacked ihe Philippine Policy.
Yesterday he attacked the entire Philip
pine policy of the government, as we'll as
the bill for a large standing army. Al
though temperate in language he was
plain spoken in his warnings Of the dan
gers which were ahead Of the government
If a colonial policy were persisted in. He
criticised technically several features OF
the bill, especially that lodging in the
President the discretion to expand or re-
duce the size Of the army at will.
In replying to Mir. Mccall. Mr.. Hull de-
clared that until Congress acted to the
contrary we must assert and enforce our
sovereignty over the Philippines or dis
grace ourselves before the world. and 1t
was the duty of Congress TO provide an
army adequate to put down the rebellion.
Eleven OF the twenty-six pages Of the bill
were disposed of before adjournment.
Col. Hepburn, of Iowa. asked what pro-
vision the bill made for the transfer If
volunteer officers to the regular army, and
Mr. Hull replied that in the staff volun-
teer officers could be appointed to the
regular army without regard to age or
grade, but In the line volunteer officers
could not be appointed above the grade
or, hrst lieutenant. and then only when
below the age OF thirty.
Mcclellan Against the Bill,
Mr.. Kleberg of Texas, announced his
unalter2ble opposition 20 an Increase Of
the standing arnry, and Mr.. Mcclellan, OF
New York. said he regretted that he was
unable TO vote for the bill, because as a
reorganization measure it was the best
army bill ever proposed. II IL had stopped
at reorganization he might have support
ed IL, but he could not bring himself to
vote for standing army OF 10000 men.
Mr.. Parker, OF New Jersey, a member
OF the Military Committee. in support OF
tie bill, declared that lodging discretion
In the President TO expand the army YVES
not an innovation. and cited several his
toric occasions. notably during the ad-
m.nistrations OF Washington and Jeffer-
son, while the United States and France
were on the verge Of war, when Congress
conferred upon the President discretion
airy power 10 expand the army.
Mr.. Shafroth, Of Colorado, offered some
figures 10 show that the retention OF the
Philippines, for which this pro, Ssed large
Increase IN the standing army was TO Be
made, must prove a disastrous invest
ment. He stated that il would cost the
people Of the United States $50 81. 90
year 10 earn sl35.Vo for American manu-
f4cturers and exporters.
The sensation OF the day occurred when