The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-01-13
"A DULL WEEK IN THE SENATE.
ARMY BILL DEBATE AROUSED NO
FIGHTING BLOOD.

Senators Bacon and Jones Lead the
Opposition i'm the Early Stages,
but the Tactics of Pettigrevv, But
Ter and Allen, the Three POpuIists,
Disguised Republicans and Demo-
Gratis AIiEe-Hanna Anxious About
ship-Subsidy Bill, but ApprOprda-
tiOn Bill VIII Probably BE Given
Right of Way.
Washington. Jan. 12.-There has been
nothing martial or warlike in the debate
on the army bill in the Senate during the
present week. The bill providing for in
creasing the army to a force of one hun
dred thousand men has had the right Of
way throughout the week and has oc-
cupied the Senate exclusively each day
with the exception of the brief period of
morning business each day.
If the army when reorganized proves as
deadly as the debate mas been uniniterest-
ing and devoid of sensational features, the
American army could with ease annihilate
the whole world.
Notwithstanding the serious nature of
the subject under consideration, the
scenes and incidents in the Senate cham
Der during the last week, have not been
devoid of a peculiar brand Of humor. For
instance Senator Hawley of Connecticut,
the venerable and somewhat infirm chair
man of the military committee in charge
of the bill, sat at his desk hour after
hour with his hands folded before him
and his eyes partly closed while time-kill-
snS senators droned out platitudes and
sentiments as to whether it is wise or
proper that spurious liquors should be
sold to soldiers at military posts. Sem
ator Hawley when younger and more Wig
orous would have been better qualified to
lead the fight in behalf of such an impor-
tant measure as the new army bill He
lacks the firmness and tact which former
by characterized his senatorial efforts and
IS now more of a dreamer than a military
tactican. AS he sat at his desk impa-
tiently waiting for the opposition to ex-
pend its ammunition IL seemed as though
he might be INDUCING in day dreams OF
camp fires, lines of battle, the tramp OF
soldiers and the rafting of muskatry all
of which he delights to recall when he
recalls his former military experiences.
The busiest man In the chamber was
Mai Huxford. the veteran clerk of the
Military Committee. He occupied seat
next to Senator Hawiey and the desk be-
fore him was piled up with books. papers
military records etc, all having more or
less bearing upon the subject under any
discussion. Why the documents before
him required so much handling and
rehandling no one but the gallant Major
will ever know. The data in his pos
session was seldom referred to and never
called for by any of the participants in
the discussion. The clerk apparently
experienced the same feeling of irritation
and disbursement which was so appar-
ent In the actions of the chairman of the
committee, for both Of them seemed to
realize that the opposition was resorting
10 dilatory methods TO delay final action
upon the bill. In the early stages of the
debate, Senators Bacon OF Georgia ana
Jones Of Arkansas undertook to lead the
opposition TO the proposed increase in the
standing army, but they confined them
selves to the lines OF legitimate debate.
IT was noticeable than the Democratic
members OF the Military Committee. Sem
ators Cockrell OF Missouri Bate OF Ten