The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-04
Opposition Senator'S Do Not Object
to a Temporary Measure.
CREATION OF STANDING ARMY.
1t Is This Phase of the Question That
rs Swell as the Clause Givin.
the President Power
to Increase The
Force Ut Will.
(By Associated Press. J

WASHINGTON. Jan. 3.-Wlthout a
murmur of dissent and without word of
comment the Senate to-day displaced the
shipping subsidy bill from its privileged
position as unfinished business, which
it has occupied since the second day of
this session. and substituted for it the
army reorganization bill
Its consideration proceeded until
o'clock-the end of the morning session
when the subsidy bill was laid before
the Senate.
Mr. Pettigrew of South Dakota. then
objected to a request for unanimous con-
sent to continue the discussion of the
army bill. BY a vote of the Senate the
military measure was continued for con-
sideration, thus sending the subsidy bill
back to the calendar.
LINE OF ATTACK
During the discussion of the army meas
ure. the opposition Senator's indicated
that their line OF attack upon the bill
would be against the creation of a large
permanent standing army. There was IN
tination that objection would not be OF
fered to a temporary measure to provide
an adequate force tc maintain the au-
thority of the United States in the Phli-
ippines.
At the opening the bill was laid before
the Senate. and on demand of Mr.. Petit
grew, was read in full.
Mr. Proctor. I member II the Military
Committee. explained :hat tie original
Senate measure had Increased Cnly tle
artillery arm. The bill provilcd in brief,
Mr. Proctor explained, for an army OF
IS G0C minimum strength and aS,0'D maxi
Mum strength.
Mr.. Eacon inquired who would have dis
cretion in the liking Of the strength ol
the army
replied MIR Proctor"
.'Aslii aldo will have something to say
about it." interjected Mr.. Hawiey
To Mr.. HaWley's remark, Mr.. Bacon
retortsd hotly. He had, he said, asked
his question in sood faith and resented,
therefore, the jocular interjec;ion of MI
HaWiey.
The Senate was engaged in a most seri-
Gus 6isct ssion. 1t involved the most s4ri-
Gus question whether it should be the
recognized policy OF the Government that
tie Chief Executive slou.l have unliEt'-
tied, uncontrolled unbridcd and absolute
power to increase at his will the arniy
OF the United States.
Mr. Hawley disciailned any intention
of being uncivil and said that TIE cause
of the Filipino insurgents might 5e a de-
terminng factor in the size of the army
DISCRETIONARY POWER.
Mr. Bacon inquired why the discretion
arv power of fixing tile size of the army
should be taken from Congress ana con-
ferreG upon the President.
Mr. Allison maintained that the strength
Of the army from year TO year Would be
determined rby the appropriation Tor tie
army by the 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 SUM
ter, possibly in the presence of Mr. Bacon,
and President Lnciln's subsequent call for
750O0 men, without action by Congress
Mr. Bacon replied that he was not at
that exact point when Sumter was fired
upon The time has come" he said,
when the statute Of limitations ought to
bar such discussion.
Mr.. Pettigrew demanded an explanation
Of the army bill.
Mr. Sewel, of New Jersey. replied that
eeventy-six thousand troops are now in
the Philippines divided among 400 posts,
and said troops must be provided to replace
the volunteers now being Withdrawn.
The conditions" he said. demand the
presence of a very considerable force. No
matter how we got there, we are there,
and we ought to stay there.
STANDING ARMY
Mr.. Bacon said he was ready now to
vote for a bill providing an adequate
army for the present needs of the Gov
ernment but limited as to the time OF its
operation. He was irrevocably opposed.
he declared. to the present bill because
it fastened upon the country for all time
an immense standing army. He ex-
pressed his perfect willingness to support
the administration in its maintenance
of its. authority i'll the Philippines. He
differed from the controlling powers in
their Philippine policy. but he was always
willing to support the authority Of the
United States.
Mr. Daniel called up and had read the
House resolutions on the death of the
late Representative Wise of Virginia.
He then offered a resolution expressing
the sorrow of the Senate and at 4:lS P.
M, as a further mark OF respect. the
Senate adjourned.