The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1901-01-15
Army Bill Discussed in the Senate
Yesterday.
Sen. Carter Asks Time
Be Set For Vote.
To This Mr.. Teller Interposed
His Objection.

Washington, January 14.-Just at the
close OF a day of dreary discussion Of
technical details OF the army re -organiza-
tion bill, Mr.. Teller Of Colorado, speak
ing to an amendment he had offereds de-
lIvered sensational denunciation OF
General Egan, former comnissary gener-
al of the Unitsd States army. His state
ment included also the administration.
An appeal for the early passage Of tbs
pending bill was made by Mr.. Carter OF
Montana, who asked that time be set
for a vote, but Mr.. Teller objected. No
progress was made with the measure to-
day, not single amendment being dis
posed OF finally.
After attention had been given q few
measures OF minor Importance, considera-
ton was resumed OF the army reorganiza-
ton bill the pending question being an
amend nent offered by MIR. Bacon OF
Georgia striking ont that provision OF the
bill authorizing the President to increase
the number OF non-commissoned officers
and privates In any troop Of cavalry.
In response to question By Mr.. Haw-
ley, Mr.. Bacon declared that both the
letter and spirit OF the constitution were
opposed to the idea of conferring Hpon
the President discretionary authority TO
increase the size OF the army. Such DOW
or was vested only In Congress and, the
transfer OF snch authority was depart
urs from the principles fixed by hun
bred years OF American history.
After some desultory discussion Mr..
Bacon withdraw his amendment and
offered another Introducing the words
I'd Turing the prsssnt exigency Of the SER
vice." 30 that the clause would read;
provided that the President during
the present exigency OF the service in his
discretion may increase the number OF
ccrporals in any troop OF cavalry to eight
and the number of privates to seventy
six.p
Discussing the phrase "exigency OF the
service" MIR. Gallery of louisiana, said
he presumed 1t was ''the presidential idea
OF war in the Philippines"
Mr.. Mallory OF Florida, said as to ext
cennies, it was possible an exigency
might arise for the use of an army In
Cuba.
Speaking to the amendment last offered
Mr.. Bacon, of Ohio, maintained that
the army OF 90, 0C0, the minimum size OF
the army fixed by the pending measure,
was not large force in all the circum-
stances. In view OF the necessity for
caring for coast Notifications and in
view, too, of the probable early construc-
ton of the Nicaragua canal,
EVERY OLDER PROVIDED
for In the present bill, would be needed.
In the course of an extended reply, Mr..
Bacon asserted that the pending measure,
in which Congress abdicated part OF its
power, when enacted would be permanent
law.
MIR. Hawiey interrupted Mr.. Bacon to
say that the act would not be permanent
law and the Senator (Bacon), knew it.
MIR. Allen Of Nebraska, inquired of
Mr.. Proctor:
''Does the de facto but not de jure war
In which we are engaged in China, come
within the term present exigency'
al hardly think it worth while to dis
ouss that question" replied Mr.. Proctor.
''.rhe situation in China, as understand
1t, Is growing better"
Mr.. Allison declared there was no pur.
pose In the pending bill to pass the au-
thority of Congress to the President.
MIR. HawIey made an appeal to the
Senate TO cease discussion and pass the
bill.
Twenty thousand men," said he,
twin have &c. cross the Pacific before the
first of July and yet Senators are here
discussing matters settled long ago."
'Feilow Senator's concluded Mr.
HawIey earnestly, ~ beg you to let this
bill go through and TO start the work of
raising troops to relieve the boys In the
Philippines. want the money ana the
order TO raise troops to supply the detic-
iency and put down our enemies, keep
our flag floating in the Philippines and
maintain our honor
MIR. Spooner OF wisconsin, advocated
conferring on the President fuller dis
cretionary authority to increase the size
OF the army.
MIR. Mallory of Florida in opposing the
bill could see no reason why Congress
should take the dangerous and unpreoe-
dented step contemplated by the bill"
An amendment was offered by Mr..
Teller of Colorado to that section Of the
army bill, which authorizes the President
to retire any army officer who has been
suspended from duty either by sentence
OF court martial or by executive order in
mitigation of such sentence, striking on
the words "has been' and substituting
therefor ''shsil ne hereafter
After saying that the section had been
Incorporated In tine bill for the purpose
OF enabling the President TO retire Gem
eral Egan, former commissary general OF
the army Mr. TaIIar danlaran IL uaa re-.