The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-01-17

Washington, January 1i.-In the Senate
to-day Mr.. Teller, of Colorado, speaking
to an amendment he had offered to the
Army Reorganization bill. delivered
sensational denunc!ation of Genera
Eagan. former commissary general of the
United States army. His statement in
cludes also the administration for its ac
ton in retiring GeneI al Eagan.
Absolutely no progress was made with
the army measure to-day, not a single
amendment being disposed of finally.
The pending question at the opening OF
the session was an amendment offered by
Mr.. Bacon, of Georgia. striking out thai
provision of the bill authorizing the Pres
ident to increase the number of non-com-
troop of cavalry.
Mr.. Bacon declared that both the le,tel
and spirit of the Constitution were oo-
posed to the idea CT comforting upon tbs
President discretionary authority to in
crease the size OF the army. Such power
was vested only in Congress, and the
transfer OF such authority was Il depar-
ture from the principles fixed by a hun
dred years of American history.
After some desultory discussion Mr. Ba-
con withdrew his amendment and Offered
another introducing the words during
the present eXigency Of the service sc
that the clause would read provided thai
the President, during gne present exi
gency of the service. IN his discretion, may
increase the number of corporals in any
troop CT cavalry to eight and the number
of priVateS to Seventy-siX.
Discussing the phrase "eXigency OF the
service Mr.. Caffery, CT Louisiana, sale
he presumed it was the Presidential idea
of war il the Philippines"
MI. Mallory. of Florida, said, as to ex-
igences. it was possible an eXlSency
might arise for the use of an army In
Cuba.
Speaking to the amendment last offered
by MI Bacon, Mr.. Foraker. of Ohio.
maintained that the army of 5S0oG, the
minimum size of the army fixed by the
pending measure. WuS not large 1orc6
in all circumstances. The conference OF
authority upon the President to increase
the size of the army within a maximum
limit. Ir. Foraker declared, was dis
tinctly in line with precedents.
Mr.. Bacon replied that the pending
measure. in which Congress abdicated q
part CT its power when enacted. would
be 4 permanent law.
Mr.. Hawley interrupted Mr.. Bacon tc
say that the act would not be permanent
law ard the Senator (Racon) knew it
There IS no such thing permanent
law
Mr.. Allison declared there was no pur
pose in ;le pending bill to pass the au
thority of Congress 10 the President. Con
grCsS would lie able at any time to in
crease CT decrease the size of the army
The power conferred by the bill upon the
he w
the consent of Congress.
These matters he said ARE constant
iy within the control CT Congress, and M
Prcsiden: can or will go contrary to Con
sress.'
Mr. Hawley mace an appeal to the Sen
ate to cease discussion and pass the bill
He pointed out the necessity of action il
order that the volunteers now in the Phil
ippines might be renewed and withdraw n
Mr.. SDooner, of Wisconsin, advocated
the provision which conferred upon th'
President discretionary authority to In
crease tie size of the army.
Further discussion of his amendme1
was postponed until tomorrow.
An amendment was offered by Mr.. Tel
| ler. OF Colorado. to that section Of tn
| bill which authorizes the President to re
| tire any officer who has been suspended
/ from { 4ty either By sentence of court
MAJ '1al u pS eA''u'i>N oiuei III iil'ie "
| ton OF such sentence. striking out tn
words has been and substituting there
| for shall be hereafter.
After saying that the section had beel
| Incorporated in the hil for the purpos
| OF enabling the President 10 retire Gene
| RAJ E-&@'ta, former coIi.!h!ssary general o
! the ARM, MI IeiieE declared II was re
| tanned IN the bill IN cFdtr that an office
| O. the army, Major Joseph w. Wham
| might be 90; rid Of. "f'e cannot be gotte
| rid OF III my oth'r way. SAID MI 1eilei
| anu A-e rught E0t = % %ot fld OF III an
| circu;.. ST acez.
NJ. Tr.i.r adverteI IL the case OF Gen
! eral kaG&n at scine !enGtn. OF the bee
| furniSht i the arm ), l. laid. it was boil
ed a:.d canned, and Cf very ancient line
| age aca-r Of whicn had made a trip t
| Europe guu back, iei.rr fed to our sol
| diers after il had beer condemned by Eu
| ropean governments Ar. Teller de
| nouEced General Esgau in sensdtiona
! language. As an Officer of the Unite
! States army" said II . Seaator. he mad
n exLit i.ion f i II. .s ,...d showed him
self 10 Ie a miserable b,ackguard.'
NJ. Teller declared General Eagan'
language was blu'al ara lo"' ana
pad il could not be overlooked. althoug
there was veiy oIi-.,lt 4'S.re to over
look il.
Mr.. Teller made a singing attack upo
! the Pre- sident for having retired Genera
| Eagan. asserting that the retirement, /
| the circumstances vas a decoration an
| not a punishment and many of tn
American people believe it was a decora
ton and a reward for his attack upon tn
general commanding the army At cor
siderable length Mir Teller then discuss
ed tie case Of Major NEam.
Mr.. Garter. Of Montana, one of tn
members Of the Military Affairs Commit
Tee aDJealeu for the passage OF the pend
- ,,,l,s,ra a, IN carly Gate He sai
-, ~ pac,fc .b.r. were only eier
,-0rsT.o-ts AZ the d.soosal of the govern
-. <a- -. TRANSPORTATION of troons I
| a,,1 e-o,, +ha phiIinpfnes Rv beginning
tr,,snor. the trooDs at once they migf