Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-03
THE SENATE.

At the first session of the Senate in the
twentieth century business was resumed
without the appearance of break in the
continuity of the proceedings The work
was taken up just where it was left off
when Congress took a recess for the holt
days.
Notwithstanding the fact that the holi-
. days had scarcely ended the attendance
at the opening session was notably large.
President Pro TEN. Frye called the Senate
to order The time just before the session,
convened and just after was occupied by
many senators in the exchange of greet
ings. That was the only evidence that
there had been a recess.
After the transaction of a considerable
amount of routine business a resolution,
offered by Mr.. Stewart, providing that the
committee on mines investigate allegations
as to the location of mining claims by
power of attorney was adopted.
The Army Bill Taken Up.
At the conclusion of morning business
Mr.. Hawley, chairman of the committee
military affairs. asked unanimous con-
sent that the Senate proceed to the consid-
Grafton of the army reorganization bill
Mr.. Morgan inquired if the consideration
proposed was to be limited to the morning
hour tthe time before Z o'clock.
''Oh, certainly" replied Mr.. Hawley.
No objection being offered, the bill was
laid before the Senate. Mr. Bacon inquired
II II was the purpose of the committee to
act upon the Senate amendments today, in
the course of the reading of the measure
III so he would object to the taking up Of
the measure.
After some discussion as to the status Of
the bill and the amendments mace by the
Senate committee-the bill having originat-
ed in the Senate, been amended by the
House, which offered substitute for it,
and returned to the Senate practically a
new bill-Mr. Pettigrew demanded the
reading OF the measure in full. The bill
was read. although Chairman Hawley ap-
>pealed to Mr.. Pettigrew TO Withdraw his
demand.
During the reading of the bill Mr. Teller
interrupted 10 inquire as to the increase of
the army provided by the Senate bill as
originally passed.
Mr.. Proctor, a member of the military
committee, replied that the original Senate
ne ASSURE mad increased only the artillery
arm The amendment adopted by the House
as 10 the artillery arm was equivalent to
hVe regiments in the form of a corps The
Senate committee proposed to change the
corps INTO hVe regiments. The bill pro-
v!ded In brief. Mr.. Proctor explained, for
an army Of $4,000 minimum strength and
9S,VD maximum strength.
Fixing the Size of the Army.
Mr. Bacon inquired who would have dis
erection in the fixing of the strength of the
army.
The President of the United States" re-
piled Mr.. Proctor.
'Aguinaldo will have something to say
about it.. interjected Mr.. Hawley
To Mr.. Hawley's remark Mr.. Bacon re-
tOrted holly. He said the Senate was here
10 discuss this great question of the army
reorganization seriously and with due
sense of its gravity. He had, he said
asked his question in good faith and re-
scented, therefore, the jocuiar interjection
OF Mr.. Hawley.
The Senate was engaged in a most serious
Observation-Disclosures there should be an in
crease In the size of the army of the
United States, and how 1t should be in
creased II involved the more serious ques-
ton whether 1t should be the recognized
policy of the government that the chief ex-
ecutive should have unlimited, uncontrolled
Cnbrfdled power-the absolute power to in
crease at his will the army of the United
States.
Mr.. Hawley disclaimed any intention OF
being uncivil to Mr. Bacon in INTERPRETING
his remark about Agunaldo, He had meant
TO convey the idea that the cause of the
Filipino insurgents might be determining
factor in the size of the army.
Mr. Bacon inquired why the discretionar ~
power of fixing the size Of the army should
BE taken from Congress and conferred
upon the President
Mr.. Allison maintained that II was no,
the purpose of the military committee OF
the idea of the bill that the discretionary
power of Congress should be taken away
and conferred upon the President. He hell
that the strength Of the army from year e
year would be determined by the appropria
lions for the army made by Congress Thus
Congress at all times would determine
finally the size Of the army.
This year. he said. appropriations would