Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-15
TELLER DENOUNCES EAGAN
An INCIDENT OF THE ARMY BILL
DEBATE.
The Colorado Senator Objects to Fix.
an Earlier Meeting.

A sensational denunciation OF General
Eagan, former commssary general of the
United States army, was made in the Senate
yesterday afternoon by Senator Teller OF
Colorado. His statement included also the
administration because General Eagan had
been retired, according to the Colorado SEN
ator's charge, as a decoration and re-
ward" for his attack upon the command
ing general Of the army.
In an appeal for the early passage OF
the pending army bill Mr.. Carter of Mon
tana declared that delay now would mean
an additional expenditure of $500, 900 day.
He asked that time be set for vote, but
Mr.. Teller objected
Absolutely progress was made with
the measure yesterday, not single amend
ment being disposed Of finally.
MIR. HawIey's Appeal.
After The Stars report of the Senate pro-
ceedings was closed yesterday afternoon
Mr.. Hawley made an appeal to the Senate
to cease discussion and pass the bill. He
pointed out the necessity of action in order
that the volunteers in the Philippines
might be relieved and withdrawn.
Twenty thousand men," said he, will
have to cross the Pacific before the 1st of
July. and yet senators are here discussing
matters that were settled long ago.
Fellow senator's" concluded Mr.. Hawley.
earnestly. II 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 and the order to raise
troops to supply the deficiency and put
down our enemies, keep our flag floating
In the Philippines and maintain our honor
Mr.. Spooner (Wis.) advocated the enact
ment of that part of the bill which con-
ferred upon the President discretionary au-
thority to increase the size of the army.
1t added a 1exibility to the law, which he
regarded not only desirable. but neces-
sary. Mr.. SpOoner contended that the
pending bill conferred no authority that in
his opinion was dangerous, none that de-
tracted from the power of Congress and
none that was Objectionable.
Mr.. Mallory, in opposing the BILL could
see no reason why Congress should take
the dangerous and unprecedented step
contemplated by the bill" He attacked
particularly the power conferred upon the
President to Increase the strength of the
army.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Mallory's speech
a bill changing the time of holding the
circuit and district courts in the northeast
ern division of the eastern district of Ten
nessee was passed.
At the request of Mr.. Bacon further dis
cussion of his amendment was postponed
until today.
An amendment was offered by Mr.. Teller
to that section of the bill which author
ICES the President to retire any officer who
has been suspended from duty either by
sentence of court-martial or by executive
order in mitigation of such sentence, strik-
ing out the words has been" and substi-
tutng therefor shall be hereafter"
After saying that the section had been
Incorporated in the bill for the purpose Of
enabling the President to retire General
Eagan former commissary general of the
army. Mr.. Teller declared it was retained In
the bill in order that an officer of the army.
AF~lo l. hor Or
Of. He cannot be gotten rid of in any
other way" said Mr.. Teller, land he ought
not to be gotten rid of in any circum-
stances"
DenunciatiOn of Eagan.
In the course of his remarks Mr.. Teller
adverted to the case of Gen. Eagan at
some length. OF the beef furnished the
army he said, it was boiled and canned
| and of very ancient lineage, some of when
| had made a trip to Europe and back, be-
| ing fed to our soldiers after 1t had been
| condemned by European governments Mr.
| Teller denounced General Eagan In sensa-
tional language. LAS an officer of the
| United States army" said the senator. "he
made exhibition of himself and showed
himself to be a miserable BLACKBOARD"
Referring to General Eagan's denial of
| General Miles charges as to embalmed
| beef" Mr. Teller declared, "his language
| was brutal and low, and SO bad 1t could
not be overlooked, although there was
| very evident desire to overlook 1t.
Mr.. Teller made a singing attack upon
| the President for having retired General
| Eagan, asserting that 1.-The retirement, in
| the circumstances, was decoration and not
| punishment, and many of the American
! people believe it was decoration and a
| reward for his attack upon the general
| commanding the army
| At considerable length Mr.. Teller then
| discussed the case of Major Wham.
Costing S5OO,O0O.
| At the conclusion of Mr.. Teller's state
| ment, Mr.. Carter (Mont.), one Of the mem
| bers of the military affairs committee, ad-
! dressed the Senate in an appeal for the
| passage Of the pending measure at an early
| date. He said that on the Pacific there
! were only eight transports at the disposal
| of the government for the transportation
| of troops to and from the Philippines By
| beginning the work of transporting the
| troops at once they might be able to COM
piete it by July 1, the date of the expira-
| ton Of the present law Otherwise 1t might
| be necessary to employ special vessels, the
| chartering and fitting up of which would
| involve immense expense.
| Il think the Senate ought to know, said
Mr.. Carter. that each days delay in the
| passage of this bill will involve an addi-
| tional expenditure Of at least $500 00O''
81 suggest" said Mr.. Cockrell (Mo.), also
! member of the military affairs commit
| tee that the senator ought to have made
! this statement earlier in the session and
| not have waited until a majority had left
| the chamber"
| Mr.. Carter said he would ask the Senate
| to fix a day for the final vote upon the
| measure.
| Mr.. Teller declared Immediately that he
| would object at this time to any date being
| fixed for a final vote He said he had not
| unduly INSTRUCTED the consideration Of the
| bill. but the propositions contained in 1t
| were of such a character as to demand
full debate. If the party in power. said
| he, desired to facilitate its passage, the
| Senate could be asked to meet at IL o'clock
| each day.
This bill is not a party measure" sug-
| gested Mr.. Carter. 1T was reported to
| this body by a committee composed OF
| men of all parties. If the senator from
Colorado insists upon considering it as a
party MEASURE
THAT is gratuitous insult" shouted Mr.
| Teller
IT was about to say" continued Mr.. Car
! ter that II the senator from Colorado de-
sires to make this party measure he will
find 1t difficult to get a following in this
| chamber"
| Urges Earlier Meeting.
Mr. Teller then renewed his suggestion
that the Senate meet at IL o'clock today OF
at 8 o'clock. or at any other hour. II dc
d.,l4.