The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-26
THE ARMY BILL REPORT
Agreement Of the C0nferees AdOpt.
ed by the House.
Vigorous Opposition by NIr. Richard
of Tennessee and an Animated
Cof1oquy Befween the Minority
Leader and MIR. HuII-INyo Demo-
Gratis Vote with the Republicans.


organization bill was agreed TO by the
House of Representatives yesterday, after
debate consuming one hour, by vote OF
1873 yeas to 100 nays Eleven members an
swered Present" The adoption of the
report was opposed by Mr.. Richardson, the
minority leader, and the vote followed
party lines except in the cases of Mir.
Clayton Of New York and Mr.. Livingston
of Georgia who voted with the Repub-
licans
The Naval Appropriation bill was passed,
and the Consular and Diplomatic and For
tiiications Appropriation bills were re-
ported TO the House. When the Journal
had been approved and the Chair had laid
before the House sundry reports from the
Committee on Enrolled Bills. Mr.. Hull,
Chairman of the Committee on Military
Affairs presented the report of the con-
ferees on the Army Reorganization bill.
The statement accompanying the report
WAS read
Mr.. Hull arose TO explain the main
points in the report. Mr.. Richardson of
Tennessee asked MIR. Hull ii he would be
cor tent to let the matter go over until
today, it being almost impossible to
form an intelligent idea of the conelu-
sions reached by the conferees simply
from the reading of the statement at The
Clerks desk. Mr.. Hull said most of the
changes are verbal, the principal contest
between the two houses being on the
questions of the artillery service and de
tail staff system and on the size OF the
Quartermaster and Pay Departments and
the Signal Corps.
This BILL" said Mr.. Hull, has been
cutrageously delayed.
Mr.. Richardson-Not in the House
Mr.. tiull-No, not in the House, but
outrageously delayed in Congress. This
b:II11 ought TO have become a law three
weeks ago. II the matter goes over today,
ii will not be considered by the House I'M
til Monday.
Mr. Hull therefore declined to permit
the bill to go over and during his explain
alton Mr.. Richardson Of Tennessee inter-
rupted to ask what decision had been
reached by the conference in the matter
of the retirement of officers.
Mr.. Hull said he would come to that in
due time Mr.. Richardson insisted,
though. that the House warted good
deal of light on that matter.
Mr.. Hull-The gentleman from Tennes- |
see nor any other member on this floor |
can charge me with ever seeking to de- |
ceive this House.
Mr. Richardson-Nobody has made such |
a charge.
Mr. Hull-The insinuation was made.
Mr.. Richardson-Oh don't get scared 4
now and run away. l never insinuated nor /
intlmated thai
Mr.. Hull-The gentleman from Tennes-
see did insinuate-
Mr. z ,cnardson-I deny it.
Yhere was at this point considerable con-
fusion and the Speaker while pounding
with his gavel called the disputants to or
der and reminded Mr. Richardson that he
Iowa by leave of the Chair
Mr.. Richardson, with greet intensity,
said: II interrupted him with his con-
sent
After this little colloquy. Mr. Hull pro-
ceeded to explain the work of the con-
ferees.
He made a strong appeal to both
sides of the House in favor Of the proyis-
ions designed to retire General Shafter
as a major general and Generals Lee and
Wilson as brigadier generals provisions
which the House had stricken out. He
paid a high tribute to Generals Lee and
Wilson and passed a glowing eulogy upon
Shafter, whose Santiago cam
paign, ne declared, would pass into his
tory as one of the greatest planned and
fought in any age.
Opposition TO the Report.
Mr. Adams showed much disappoint-
ment that the House had receded in the
matter of the veterinary corps. He said
the House conferees had ANONYMOUSLY |
yielded to the Senate.
Mr.. Adams ami Mr.. Loud severely criti-
,ised the conferees for their failure to
give the House an opportunity TO express
is sense on the proposition. That was
he usual course of procedure in confer
.nce, and they expressed regret that fear
II the Senate had led the House conferees
o adopt course which might compel it !
% vote against the whole measure in
rider to reach single item.
Mr.. Hull conceded the force and pro-
,riety Of the criticism, and frankly adj
nitted that the purpose of the conferees
lad been to avoid reporting a disagree
nent because upon such a report the
senate could engage in Unlimited debate !
pon the contested points
Mr. Richardson was recognized. He 6
aid that the bill had had put upon it by ,
he Senate provisions that had been SOL !
.mnly voted down by the House He
would never be forced to vote for a bill t,
giving to the President the power 10 in {
,rease the standing army from 50 900 10 :
10000 men nor would he vote for a con- +
erence report proposing the retirement :
# ble-bodied men. as provided for in the ,
i'll as amended by the Senate. The House :
ad. he said, emphstically voted down tie /
roposition and he Joined in the criti- |
ism upon the conferees for compelling
he House TO vote upon the report as a I
hole. lie said with great emphasis and {
mid loud Democratic applause that he
-ould not vote for the report
IF that provision were out of the bill"
Ir. Cannon asked, would the gentleman /
ote for it?" 8
THE report empowers the President to
lcrease the standing army from IS, 000 to
i, 600 men," replied Mr.. Richardson IF
lat provision were out Also O
That Is not categorical response"
5served Mr.. Cannon.
NO" answered Mr.. Richardson. 81
ould never vote for the bill" Demo v
-atic applause.l n
Mr.. Hay. a minority member Of the b
on Military Affairs, and one of b
he conferees. resented what he consid- 7
red the unfair imputations of Mr.. Rich b
rdson. There was a time" he said | c,
when a successful fight could have been v
iade in the House against establishing a
army by providing for a teIn- n
orary army. But then the gentleman ! n
lstead Of suggesting anything 10 the u
ouse, took his stand in opposition to the r,
roposition for a temporary army Q.
After the increase of the standing army e,
as assured, said Mr. lay, he OBJ o
'cted 10 the imputation that he 81
ld signed a conference report which r.
ould increase the standing army h.
e was opposed to the permanent increase :,
nrFnRRNNsH$s 81