The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-01-13
THE HOUSE.

Washington. January 1.-THE ap-
pointment OF Lieutenant General Nell
son A. Miles as adjutant general of the
State OF Massachusetts, overshadowed
all other questions in the discussion OF
the army appropriation in the House
of Representatives today. The debate
had proceeded leisurely until Mr.. Hull,
in charge Of the bill offered an amend
above the grade of major should not
receive the full pay of their grade
when assigned to duty with the mill
tia Of the several states. Several MEM
bers declared that the amendment was
directed especially at General Miles,
but Mr.. Hull insisted that he had no
such thought in mind and argued that
the best results were obtained from
officers OF the lower grades. He assert
ed that not until the law was passed
allowing increased pay for officers as
signed to the militia did retired officers
of the higher grades apply for the ap-
pointments. He said II was such in
creased pay and not patriotism which
prompted them and he characterized
their conduct as unseemly. This state
ment reused Mr.. Cochran, of New York,
who declared that 1t was simply penal
izing superior officers to the advantage
and profit of inferior officers. After a
lively debate the amendment was
adopted.
Mr.. Williams. of Mississippi. was out
spoken in the statement that the real
motive behind the amendment was an
attack on General Nelson A. Miles. ad-
jutant general OF Massachusetts,. who
is extremely persona non grata In high
circles In the Republican party" It
was, he said, mo raw thing for the
Republican party TO slight the heroes
Of the nation and push its favorites to
the front 1t had not been long, he
said, since the country witnessed the
manner in which Admiral Schley was
treated and the way in which General
Miles was snubbed in public. for what
reason was not known. "But," he said,
amid laughter and applause. don't
snub him In his new state militia uni
form. Don't take that away from him
u
attacked the principle OF a large stand
ing army or a great navy. Economy
should. he said, commence with the
militia establishment but he added. In
spirit of ridicule, don't take IL all
cut of General Miles additional pay
and his Massachusetts, state Uniform"
Several members severely criticised
army and navy expenditures and Mr..
Prince called attention to the large re-
tired list. which included 23s brigadier
generals who he said could not have
been retired by operation OF law, though
he dfsclaimed any intention OF charg-
ing any maladministration Of the law.
Mr. Slayden ridiculed the idea OF
economy as practiced by the Republic
cans and cited the customs office at
Beaufort, g. c.. where ne said It cost
81 500 to collect S1-55 by two officers, and
at York. Maine 1858 to collect $50
by one officer. He suggested that it
might be advisable to abolish the Beau
fort office and give Il &c w. d. crum
with the revenues OF the office as his
compensation "as IL seems" he said,
'fhe won't be happy unless he has a
customs Office"
Consideration Of the army bill was
not concluded when the House adjourn
ed until tomorrow.
SENATE.
Washington. January 1.-The stteu-
ton OF the senate was today divided
between the Statehood question and the
question OF Governmental regulations
OF railroads. Mr. Newiands made a
formal speech on the railroad subject
and at it's close was engaged In spir-
tied controversy over the points invoiv-
ed with Messrs. spocner. Foraker and
others.
All the amendments TO the Statehood
bin except that relating to liquor traf-
fic in Indian Territory were agreed to-
Mr.. Newlands addressed the Senate