The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-22
DEBATE in THE HOUSE
PHILIPPINE AND MILITARY ACAD-
VI BILLS
Army Defended by Representative
Mcclellan, a New York Democrat
-Sundry Bill Agreed To.

WASHINGTON, June 21.-Debate upon
the Philippine civil government bill Jagged
in the House to-day. There were seven
speakers-Messrs. Reeves of Illinois and
Bromwell of Ohio for the bill and Messrs.
Maddox of Georgia, Dinsmore of Arkansas
and Thayer of Massachusetts against 1T.
Mr.. Mcclellan, of New York, son of the
late Gen. George B. Mcclellan. delivered
a short but eloquent defense of the army.
Earlier in the day the conference reports
on the Military Academy and sundry civil
appropriation bills were adopted.
When the academy bill came up Mr.. Hay
of Virginia, Mr.. Clayton of Alabama and
Mr.. Mann of Illinois criticised the action
of the House conferees in agreeing to the
number of cadets at West Point proposed
by the Senate. Mr.. Mann said that re-
Gently the number of cadets had been in
creased loo. The increased membership of
the House would further increase the ca
diets thirty. and now it was proposed to in
crease that number still further. He did
not believe we should legislate in the di-
rectton OF a great increase in the stand
ing army. Mr.. Clayton called attention TO
the fact that the army, which cost annual
ly S25,OOO,OOO before the Spanish war, now
costs $l25, 600, 600.
During the debate on the Philippine bill
Mr.. Maddox questioned Secretary Roots
figures as to the cost of the war in the
Philippines. He said he could not under
stand how Secretary Root got his figures.
The actual amounts appropriated on account
OF the war with Spain and the subsequent
operations in the Philippines, he said, eX-
ceeded one billion dollars, or about half of
the cost of the civil war. He declared that
the cost of the army in the Philippines, in
Guiding transportation, had been in excess
OF $lO0.OOO 900 annually. and with the re-
duced force would not fall much below $780,
100000. If the army in the Philippines for
the last fiscal year cost only $4,000, 900, as
Secretary Root alleged, he wanted to know
what had become of the remainder of the
Sl15,O0O,CW appropriated in the army apprO-
priatiOn bill for that year.
Mr.. Mcclellan in his sepech said there
may have been instances of cruelty in the
Philippines, but there should be no differ
ence among Americans about unfolding
army is not, never has been and never will
be the asset of one political party" said he.
amid a round of applause. His tribute to
the enlisted men of the regular service was
received with enthusiasm. At > o'clock the
House took a recess until s o'clock.
At the evening session Mr.. Palmer, of
MED that an imperial design lurked in the
minds of the American people or of those
responsible for the conduct of affairs in
of cruely that had occurred in the prose-
cutiOn of the war there. he said, were not
sanctioned by the administration, and
brought TO trial.
Mr.. Conrey. of Massachusetts. insisted
that the heavy loss of life and the enor-
nous expenditure in the Philippines was
the direct evidence of the imperialistic ten
dency of the party in power. He took oc-
casiOn to criticise President ROosevelt's
Memorial day address as unworthy of the
solemn occasion.
Mr.. Green, of Kentucky. who made a trip
10 the Philippines last summer, said that no
one could go to the islands and honestly
investigate the people and conditions there
without being forced 10 the conclusion that
the Filipinos were capable of self-govern-
ment. At 1920 the House adjourned.