Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1901-01-18

'~-oaS MI. 1eier, OF COLORADO, speaking
% an amendment he had offered to the
Army Reorganization bill. delivered .
sensational denunciation of General
Eagan. former comniissary general of the
United States army His statement In
sludes also the administration for its ac-
Hon in retiring General Eagan.
Absolutely no progress was made with
Tho army measure to-day. not a single
amendment being disposed of finally.
The pending question at the opening Of
Tho session was an amendment offered by
Mr.. Bacon, of Georgia. striking out that
provision of the bill authorizing the Pres
dent to increase the number OF non-com.
nissioned officers and privates in any
troop of cavalry.
Mr.. Bacon declared that both the letter
Ind spirit of the Constitution were op-
posed to the idea of comforting upon the
President discretionary authority to in
crease the size of the army. Such power
vas vested only in Congress. and the
transfer of such authority was a depar.
ure from the principles fixed by hun
ircd years OF American history
After some desultory discussion Mr.. Ba.
ION withdrew his amendment and offered
mother Introducing the words during
lhe present exigency of the service sc
hat the clause would read provided thai
he President. during the present ext
sency of the service in his discretionsmay
Increase the number OF corporais in any
roop OF cavalry to eight and the number
II privates to seventy-six."
Discussing the phrase "exigency Of the
service" Mr.. Ca9ery. of Louisiana, said
he presumed it was ''the Presidential idea
Of war I'm the Philippines
NJ Mn11 90
tgencies, 1T was possible an exigency
might arise for the use Of an army in
Cuba.
Speaking to the amendment last offered
by Mr.. Bacon, Mr.. Foraker, OF Ohio,
maintained that the army of 5000. the
minimum size of the army fixed by the
pending measure. was not a large force
In all circumstances. The conference OF
authority upon the President to increase
the size of the army within maximum
limit. Mr.. Foraker declared. was dis.
dnctly In line with presidents.
Mr. Bacon replied that the pendine
measure, in which Congress abdicated q
part Of its power when enacted, would
be a permanent law.
Mr.. Hawley Interrupted Mr.. Bacon tc
say that the act would not be permaneni
law. and the Senator (Bacon) knew It
There is no such thing as permanent
law.
Mr. Allison declared there was no pur.
pose in the pending bill TO pass the au.
thority of Congress to the President. Con.
gresS would be able at any time TO in
Grease or decrease the size OF the army
The power conferred by the bill upon the
President could be exercised only with
the consent of Congress-.
These matters" he said, ARE constant
" within the control OF Congress, and nc
President can or Will so contrary to Con.
gress."
Mr.. Hawley mace an appeal to the Sen.
ate~to cease discussion and pass the bill.
de pointed out the necessity OF action In
'rder that the volunteers now in the Phil,
ppInes might be relieved and withdrawn
Mr.. Spooner. of Wisconsin. advocated
the provision which conferred upon the
President discretionary authority to IN.
crease the size Of the army
Further discussion of his amendmen,
was postponed until tomorrow.
An amendment was offered by Mr.. Tel.
Ter. OF Colorado. 10 that section OF the
bill which authorizes the President to re-
tire any officer who has been suspended
from city either by sentence OF court.
martial or by executive order in lnitiga.
ton Of such sentence, striking out the
words has been" and substituting there.
for shall be hereafter" s-,e
After saying that the section had been
incorporated In the bill for the purpose
Of enabling the President to retire Gene.
raj Eagan former commissary general OF
the army, MIR. Teller declared IL was re-
tanned In the bill in order that an OFFICER
Oh the army. Major Joseph w Wham
might be got rid of. He cannot be gotten
rid of in any other way" said Mr.. Teller
land he ought not to be get rid of in any
circumstances"
Mr.. Teller adverted to the case OF Gen.
eral Eagan at some length. OF the beef
furnished. the army. he said, IL was boil.
ed and canned. and of very ancient line
age. some of which had made a trip 70
Europe and back. being fed to our SOL
diers after 1t had been condemned NV e.: e.;
Eppsan Ro0~-...aenIs." Mr. Teller de-
nounced General Eagai IL sensation :,
language. "As an officer OF the United
States army said the Senator, .''he made
an exhibition D: h.rs.>slf and showed him
self to be a miserable hlackguard." 81
Mr.. Teller declared General Pagan.
language twas brutal and low, land *
bad it could not be overlooked, although
there was a very evident desire to over
look it,"
Mr.. Teller made a singing attack u~ss
the President tQr havin- 49, 60 -.
,.hg that the retirement. Il
tne circumstances was a decoration an.
American people believe it was a decora
! lion and a reward for his attack upon tn
general commanding the army" At con
siderable length Mr.. Teller then discuss
I'd tie case of Major Wham.
Mr.. Carter, of Montana, one of tn
members OF the Military Affairs Commit
tee, appealed for the passage of the pend
Ing measure at an early date He sal,
that on the Pacific there were only eigh
transports at the disposal of the govern
ment for the transportation of troops I,
and from the Philippines. BY beginning I,
transport the troops az once they Nigh
be able to complete the work, by July !
the expiration of the present law. other
wise special vessels may have TO b
chartered and fitted up at Immense ex
pense. 81 think the Senate ought n
know" said Mr.. Carter. that each day
delay in the passage of this bill will In
volve an additional expenditure of a
least $4,000" Mr.. Carter said he wouI,
Tomorrow ask the Senate to fix a day 10
final vote. 49,
Mr. Teller Immediately declared thar h
would object at this time to any date be
Ing fixed, It's propositions were OF sue
character as to demand full debate. 1
the party in power. said he, desired to IA
ci'itate its passage. the Senate could b
asked to meet at II O'Clock each day.
fS