The news & observer., 1901-01-16
RIVER AND HARBOR BILL
House Completes seventy-Six More
Pages of That Document.
ARMY REORGANIZATION BILL DISCUSSED
Speeches Against il by Senators Ee ~, Bacon
and Teller. An endraent to Strike Out
Authority For Increase in Army
Lost by Good Majority.
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated HreSSJ
Washington Jan. 15.--Some progress
was made by the Senate today in the
consideration of the Army Re-organi-
cation Bill. :. tacit agreement has been
reached for a vote very soOn.'
The principal speeches against the
bill were made by Mr. Berry of Arkan-
sas Mr. Bacon. of Georgia, AND Mr.. Tel
Ter. of Colorado. Mr.. Warren, of wy
oming. delivered an extended argument
in support Of the bill. A colloquy be
tween Mr.. Bacon and Mr.. Hanna, or
Ohio, as to the issues in the November
elections created much interest. Mr.
BaconS amendment striking out or the
bill. the discretionary authority con-
ferred upon the President to increase
the size of the army was laid on the
table by the decisive vote of 80 to 20,
Mr. Morgan. Chairman of the Com
mittee on Inter-Oceanic Canal asked
unanimous consent that final vote
upon the Nicaragua Canal bill and it's
amendments be taken at p. m. on
February 11th. Mr.. Daniel (Va.) OBJ
jected.
A resolution presented by Mr.. Tel
Ter providing for the printing as pub
lie document of the petition of 2,OO6
Filipinos offered to the Senate was laid
/ before the Senate.
Mr. Stewart (Nev) said it was an un-
truthful recital of the conditions in the
Philippines.
The petition, he said, contained every
possible threat against the United
States. In ,jew of it. Congress ought
| speedily to PASS the army bill,
| Mr.. Berry (ArlI) said the appeal was
phrased in respectful language, was
splendidly written and fully represent
ed the aspirations of a great body OF
the people of the islands.
Mr.. Cockrel made it perfectly clear
| that he was opposed to the authori-
zation of large standing army in the
| pending measure, and declared his in
| tention to vote against it. He believed
it to be the duty of Congress, however
to speedily pass the bill.
| Mr.. Sewell IN. J) appealed fol
prompt action and added that at the
| earliest moment he would move TO lay
| the pending amendment of Mr. Racor
| on the table.
Mr.. Bacon withdrew the amendment
he offered yesterday and proposed the
amendment he offered originally, the
amendment striking out of the bill the
words comforting upon the Presiden
power to increase from the minimum
to the maximum limit the strength o.
the infantrC, artillery and cavalry arms
of the service"
The amendment of MIR. Bacon was
discussed at great length.
/ Mr.. Bacon declared that the army was
not intended to control our people anC
there was no logic in the proposition
that the army ought to be increased
! in proportion to population.
Does the Senator think" interrupt
ed Mr.. Scott CIV. Va.), that the vote
at the polls last fall indicated that The
| American people are afraid of a stand
| ing army?''
The Georgia Senator promised to an
swer later.
Mr.. Foraker contended there was M
warrant for the statement that the dis
cretionary power conferred upon tn,
President was unprecedented.
Mr.. Berry also discussed an amend
ment to the army bill. which he offer
ed yesterday 1t authorizes the Presi
/ else sovereignty over the Philippine;
except for pacificatiOn and then to leave
the islands to the control of their peo
pie. Mr.. Perry asserted its enactment
/ would absolutely end the Filipino revo
tion within ten days and demonstrate
that this country was the greatest anC
i most generous in the world.
On motion of Mr.. Lodge the resolu-
tion was referred to the Committee OF
the philippines.
| Consideration of the Army Re-organi-
| tion Bill was resumed informally. Mr.
! Pettus, CAla1 Mr.. Bate and Cockrell
Democratic members on the Military
Committee, making statements in oppo-
sition to the measure. Mr.. Pettus said
! he regarded a large standing army az
/ ''the greatest threat to the liberties OF
the republic that could be made mortal
warm.
! Mr.. Bacon then replied to an inquiry
of Mr.. Scott. He lid not think the
people had passed upon the question
of increasing the army. They had not
voted upon the question whether the
United States should pass from re-
public to an internationalist republic
He declared that the Republicans ir
the campaign. taak advantage Of Sc
/ rious mistakes of their opponents" and
skillfully used those mistakes to theii
advantage.
!. They won the fight" declared Mr.