Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-01-16
56TH CONGRESS.
Army Reorganization Bill Is
Nearing a Vote.
Presidents Discretionary Power to
increase Army Remains in Bill.
Western Members Plan Tor Rcclaim;nu Arid
Lands Given Little Support.

Washington, Jan. 15.-Some progress
was made by the Senate, today, in the
consideration of the army re-Organiza-
ton bill. One amendment that has ere
ated much debate was disposed of and
a tacit agreement has been reached
fer vote very soon"
The principal speeches against the
bill was made by Berry of Arkansas,
Bacon of Georgia, and Teller of Col
orado. Warren of Wyoming, delivered
an extended argument in support of
the bill.
Bacon's amendment striking out of
the bill the discretionary authority
conferred upon the President to in
GEESE the size of the army was laid
on the table.
At the opening of today's session of
the Senate Il bill granting a pension Of
$50 month to Horatio n. Davis,
father of the late Senator Davis of
Minnesota. was passed. Mr.. Davis
was captain in the commissiary de-
partmcnt.
At the conclusion Of the routine bust
ness. Morgan. chairman Of the commit
tee on inter oceanic canal, asked
unanimous consent that a final vote
upon the Nicaragua canal bill and its
amendments be taken at ) Z. NJ, Feb.
II. Daniel. Va. objected.
\ resolution reported few days ago
by Teller providing for the printing as
u public document of the petition of
1000 Filipinos offered TO the Senate was
laid before the Senate.
Stewart, New. declared his opposi-
ton to the resolution on the ground
that il was an 'untruthful recital of
the conditions in the Philippines" He
declared that the treachery of ASui-
naldo had been established byauthentic
documents and that any petition or ap-
peal sent here by such people was I'M
worthy of consideration.
The government has been defied,
declared Stewart. we cannot posi-
bly, hesitate to put down this rebellion
and vindicate the honor of the United
States. This is simply a demand for
surrender on the part of the United
states. in the form of a petition. 1t is
a wicked conspiracy and ought to be
put down"
Berry. Ark. said the appeal was
splendidly written and fully represent
ed the aspirations of great body of
the people of the islands He was Of
the opinion that the Senate could not
afford to refuse to make public the ap-
peal by printing it.
While he was on the floor Berry dis
cussed an amendment to the army bill,
which he offered. yesterday authoriz-
ing the President to disclaim an inten-
ton to exercise sovereignty over the
Philippines except for paciticatlon and
then to leave the islands 10 the control
of their people.
After directing attention to the fact
that this was the wording of the reso-
luton passed by Congress with refer
ence to Cuba, Berry expressed the be-
lief that its incorporation into law
would absolutely end the Filipino rcso-
luton within 10 days. He urged in con-
clusion that an effort be made to stop
the Horrors of this unjust war
Lodge said it was most unusual for
the names signed to a petition to be
printed and as the resolution pending
included the names, he thought 1t
ought to be referred to a committee.
on his motion the resolution was re-
ferred to the committee on the Philip
pines.
Consideration of the army reorgan-
ization bill was resumed informally.
Pettus. Bate and Cockrell. Democratic
members of the committee on military
affairs. making statements in opposi-
ton to the measure. Cockrell made IL
~, HAT hn nfl
I, the authorization of q large stand
ing army in the pending measure and
declared his intention to vote against
it.
Carter. one Of tie Republican mem
bers of tho military committee. said
the bill had the best thought of the
committee without considerations of
craftsmanship. While certain senators
had reserved the right to vote against
the bill there was general agreement
upon the scheme of reorganization.
Sewc!l. also Il member of the MILL
tary committee, made an appeal to the
Senate for early action upon the Dill.
indicating that further delay would be
not only embarrassing to the govern
ment. but enormously expensive. In
conclusion he sad ne WOulu move DIT
the earliest moment to lay the pend
ing amendment on the table.
Bacon withdrew the amendment he
offered. yesterday. and proposed the
amendments he offered originally. the
amendments striking out of the bill
the words comforting upon the Pres
ident power to increase from the mini
mum to the maximum limit the
strcnth of the infantry, artillery ana
cavalry arms of the service.
These amendments Bacon discussed
at length. He declared that the army
was not intended to control our people
and there wasYno logic in the PROPOSE
ton that the army ought to be increas-
ed in proportion. to population. Bacon
said he did not think American people
had passed upon the question of in
creasing the army. They had not voted
upon the question whether the Unit
ed states should pass from free re-
public to an imperialistic government.
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