The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-04
LITTLE PROGRESS MADE
Slow Work on the Army Reorgan-
ization Bill in the Senate.
FiIibusteripg Begun by PettiErew
- Loses Its Place on the CnIepanr az
Unfinished Business-Thc Chances
for Its Consideration Lcssened.


For four hours yesterday the Senate
struggled with the Army Reorganization
bill. and despite the urgent request for
speedy legislation from the President and
the mighty efforts of the Administration
Senator's the measure was blocked at
every move, and when adjournment was
had at 4:S0 the first reading of the volumi
nous bill had only been completed. and the
! friends of the measure had been driven TO
the rear by the determined onslaughts of
the minority. This happened despite the
fact that the Hanna Ship Subsidy bill was
| sacrificed in the interest of speedy action
on the army matter, and even Mr.. Haw-
| ley, who has charge of the bill has doubts
| as to whether a vote can be reached with
| in ten days
| The threatened flibustering tactics
| planned by Messrs. Pettigrew. Butler, and
Alien, developed soon as the bill came
! up. Mr.. Pettigrew led the opposing
| forces, and demanded that the entire
| bill be read. Mr.. Bacon made a telling
| argument against the measure, and in a
debate in which he was opposed by Messrs.
Hawiey, Hale, Allison, Carter, Spooner.
| Platt of Connecticut Sewell. and Proctor,
1
| publicans to contradict one another. while
! he pointed out the danger of placing great
4 power within the hands of the President
] and the menace OF large standing army.
| Mr.. Tillman furnished some hot shot He
referred to the War Department officials
| as martinets." and argued that the Gov
ernment could afford to bring loads of
| maniacs from The Philippines, but had no
room for sane men.
Changes in the House Bill.
The bill as reported by the Senate Com
mittee contains several changes in the
House measure.
The army canteen is retained. with the
proviso that only beer and light wines be
sold
Secretary Roots plan for battalion or
ganization for the artillery branch is
eliminated and the idea of General Miles,
that of regimentai organization, is retain
ed.
Two important meetings were held be-
fore noon TO pave a way foy the Passage
of the bill. The President had express
ed his great concern in the matter to the
Republican leaders and had asked that
the bill be enacted even at The cost Of
the defeat of other legislation His fears
are said to have been aroused by the
threats Of filibustering on the part of
Messrs. Pettigrew. Allen. and Butler.
The Steering Committee held a confer
ence yesterday morning and Messrs.
Spooner, Hale, and Allison explained
the situation to Hr. Hanna. They
stated that they had assurances from the
flibusters that they would raise no Cb-
lection to the Army bill nor to other leg
;slation If Mr.. Hanna would cease his
efforts to get his Ship Subsidy bill
through. They asked the Republican loss
to drop the measure for the present in the
interest of harmony and for the good Ct
The Administration.
Mr.. Hanna is said to have grown ex-
ceediEgly angry over the proposition and
announced plainly that he was pledged TO
put the Maritime Bounty bill through at
this session. and would do so. Ii is said
that he challenges the opponents of the
bill TO attempt flibustering tactics and
said that the cloture rule would prevent !
any attempted delay.
The other members of the committee
were against the cloture rule and argued |
ate with it unless there was no other way
out OF the difficulty. Ii was decided TO /
keep the Senate as close TO business as /
possible and not to adopt the cloture rule |
unless forced to DO SO.
The Committee on Military Affairs held |
= meeting about the same time and mapped I
cut a programme which would allow the 4
<
agreed 10 act upon the committees amend ]
ments yesterday if there was not objec- !
tion.
Called Up by Mr.. HHyYIey.
Mr. Hawley called the Army bill up in the |
Senate at 12:3 80 o'clock and asked for its Z
immediate consideration. He then asked /,
that the reading Of the bill be dispensed |
with and that the Senate proceed to act |
iiuop the committee amendments
Mr. Morgan asked that the discussion |
of the bill be confined to the morning /
hours.
Mr.. Bacon then stated that he would /
object to the amendments being voted (
on before the bill in full was discussed. /
A long argument followed as to whether .
the former Senate bill, as changed
ar'ardraents were 10 be considered the /
ARMS organization bill and acted
. IS. Hale, Bacon and Hawley
.-l .- e. ter over and decided TO
original Senate bill with
ate amendments. and to ig-
more .H- "a passed by the House.
Hr Sen II asked unanimous consent
taaL f..s done.
l-E Psl grew made the first move fer
JEr ters who are against the bill |
.Iv demanded that the bill be read. Mr..
Hawley protested against this as a was
Of time. Mr.. Pettigrew insisted that the
whole bill be read, and 1t was so ordered.
The measure covers forty-three pages
Of closely printed matter.
During the reading of the bill Mr.. Bacon
asked Mr.. Proctor, who was explaining
the bill. what provision had been made
as to the increase of the army.
Mr. Proctor replied that the President
would attend to the increase.
Mr.. Hawley added that Aguinaldo would
have good deal to say about the matter. |
Mr. Bacon answered that the reply was !
very inappropriate. He said that he did
not think it proper to give the President /
80 much power.
Too Much Power.
Il do not see Why It is that the power
TO determine the size Of the army should
be taken away from Consrc== and YES ed
n the President" said he. Congress is
N session right along and is working
imoothly. We have the power. as The
legislative arm of the Government. 10
lame the size Of the army, and yet this
,ilI comes in a the last moment with a
'adical departure and gives the President
absolute and unlimited power 10 name the
size OF the United States Army. ! am
.gainst such a proposition"
The idea is to give every President !
IN the future chance TO name his own
army" said Mr.. Tillman
THE trainers of the Constitution were
u error when they placed the regulation |