The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-01-04
The ARMY BILL is
GIVEN FIRST PLACE
re- .-
Ship Subsidy Bill Sent Back
to the Calendar.
INV nEMnnRATS STAND
HOW DEMOCRATS STAND.
No Objection to Temporarily Increas-
ing the Army
THEY WILL FIGHT PERMANENT INCREASE
Mr.. Eacon Declares He IS IrresO ably Opposed
to the Present Bill, as it Fastens OF
Coun ~ Forever an Immens
Standing Army.
Standing Army.
(By he Associated Press.)


Washington, Jan. S.-Without a murmur
of dissent and without word of comment,
the Senate today displaced the Ship
Subsidy Bill from it's privileged position
as unfinished business" which it has
occupied since the second day of this ses-
sion, and substituted for it the Army Re-
organization BAL
When the Senate convened today in its
first session of the twentieth century the
Army Bill was taken uD with view to
pressing to final vote as soon as posi-
BILE. It's consideration proceeded until 2
o'clock-the end of the morning session
when the Subsidy Bill was laid before
the Senate. Mr.. Pettigrew, of South Da-
kota, then Objected to request for unani-
nous consent to continue the discussion of
the Army Bill. By vote of the Senate
the military measure was continued for
consideration, thus sending the Subsidy
Bill back to the calendar.
During the discussion of the army
measure, the opposition Senator'S in1i-
Gated that their line of attack upon the
bill would be against the creation of
large permanent standing army. There
was intmation that objection would lot
be offered to temporary measure to pro-
vide an adequate force to maintain the
authority of the United States IN the
philippines.
At the opening the bill was laid before
the Senate and on demand of Mr.. Petit
grew. read in full.
Mr.. Proctor. member of the Military
Committee, explained that the original
Senate measure had Increased only the
artillery arm.
The bill provided in brief, Mr.. Proctor
explained, for an army of 900 minimum
strength and $4,000 maximum strength.
Mr. Bacon inquired who would have dis
erection in the fixing of the strength of
the army.
The President of the United States"
replied Mr.. Proctor.
''Aguinaldo will have something to say
about it," interjected Mr. Hawley.
To Mr.. HawIey's remark Mr.. Bacon re-
torted holly. He said the Senate was
here to discuss this great question OF
the army reorganization seriously and
with due sense of it's gravity. He had,
he said. asked his question in good faith
and resented the jocular intersection of
Mr.. HaWley.
THE QUESTION OF A DICTATOR.
The Senate was engaged in a most seri-
Gus discussion. 1t involved the more seri-
Gus question whether it should be the
recognized policy OF the Government that
the chief executive should have unlimit-
ed, uncontrolled, unbridled power-the
absolute power to increase at his will the
army of the United States.
Mr. Hawley dsclaimed any intention
Of being uncivil and said that the cause
of the Filipino insurgents might be de-
termining factor in the size of the army.
Mr. Bacon inquired why the discretion
airy power of fixing the size of the army
should be taken from Congress and con-
ferred uDon the President.
Mr.. Allison maintained that the
strength OF the army from year TO year
would be determined by the appropriations
for the army made by Congress.
This year, he said, appropriations would
be made for an army Of the maximum
strength.
Mr. Hawley referred to the opening of
the Civil War, the firing upon Fort
Sumter, possibly in the presence of Mr..
Bacon-and President Lincoln's SUISSE
quent call for $4,000 men without action
by Congress.
Mr. Bacon replied that he was not at
that exact point when. Sumter was fired
upon.
1.-The time has come he said. when
the statute of limitations ought to bar
such discussion"
At 2 o'clock the Ship Subsidy Bill
was laid before the Senate as the I'M
finished business. Without division mo-
ton of Mr.. Hawlev to proceed with the
consideration of the Army Bill prevailed
Mr. Pettigrew demanded an explanation
of the Army Bill.
Mr. Sewell N. J.) replied that seventy