The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-26

Money took part in the debate which
followed. Messrs. Spooner, Plat and
Money contended that the enactment
would have the effect OF limiting the sal
aries of all retired officers assigned to ac-
tive duty to a majors pay, regardless OF
rank.
| The oath of office as a senator was adj
| 1hinistered to Mr.. Knox for the short
| term closing on March next at the open
| ing of the session. and his credentials for
the long term beginning March 4 were
presented by his colleague, Mr.. Penrose.
Mr. Alger also presented the credentials
of Mr. Burrows for the six-year term be-
ginning next March.
On motion of Mr. Hale the Senate ap-
pointed the hour of meeting tomorrow
o clock to permit senators to attend the
wedding of the daughter of Senator War
rem.
AT the instance of Mr.. Clay a resolution
calling ON the postoffice department for
information covering the dealings of that
department with the railroads since 1873
was adopted
Army Bill taken UP.
The army appropriation bill was then
taken up.
When the provision In the bill de-
priving retired officers of the army
who have received militia appointments
from full pay was reported, Mr.. Lodge
moved to strike it out, saying that 1t was
aimed at General Miles, who had taken
office in connection with the military
o. Massachusetts.
Mr.. Scott said he did not believe lin
the assumption that the provision is
aimed at an individual officer Mr.. Lodge
replied that the debate in the House had
developed such to be the case.
Mr.. Plat, criticised the provision as
obscure and said that he construed the
provision in that it prohibits major
TIC higher pay than any retired officer,
no matter what his pay if he accepts
service on active duty.
| Mr.. Spooner also took this view and
| thought the provision should be omitted
from the bill, because wrong in prin-
ciple. He did not agree that 1t was nee
| essarily aimed at General Miles.
at is" he said, "a cowardly way of
preventing the assignment of general of
ficers to active duty. 1t affects a class
and is not necessarily aimed at any indi-
vidual 1t has come to be that anything
WHICH lOuCHtS 1tutfdl hiltS' even
though It includes hundred others, is
regarded by General Miles and others,
as directed especially at him."
Mr. Proctor, Mr. Warren, Mr.. Cockrell
other senators did not accept the view
| that the effect Of the amendment would
| be to reduce the pay of officers of a
higher grade to that of major
1.-The intention said Mr.. Proctor. is
that a retired brigadier general doing
1T, 1,,4,r c1o 1,raa fot, tl,eJ
of his active pay and allowances"
Mr.. Spooner declared that it was per-
| feetly plain that the provision was ito
| accomplish Indirectly what some one did
rot want to do directly.
! Endorses the Provision.
| Mr.. Patterson announced his endorse
ment of the provision, except in so far
| as it was retroactive. He suggested
| amendments making it applicable only to
| the future He said he had been inform
| ed that in rendering the position at the
| head of the Massachusetts, militia to Gen
| eral Miles, Governor Douglas had vol
uhteered compensation from the state
! which had been declined by the general.
| Mr.. Bailey made argument against
| any pay to retired officers. He did not
| believe, he said, that the provision was
| meant to cover the case of General Miles.
| He would not vote for the provision in
any shape, he said. Mr.. Scott gave as
surance that the Senate committee on
| military affairs had had no one person
| in mind when the paragraph was adopted.
| He said there were hundreds of applica-
| lions for such assignments.
| Mr.. Proctor suggested the following
| substitute for the House provision: THAT
| hereafter retired officers of the army
| above the grade Of major shall, when as
| signed to active duty in connection with
! the organized militia In the several
| states and territories, upon the request of
| the governor thereof. receive their full
| retired pay. and also Communication Of
| quarters until government quarters are
| available and shall receive no further
| pay or allowance; provided that a
| lieutenant colonel assigned shall receive
| full pay and allowance of a major on the
| active list
| Mr. Fulton commended that the amend
nlent does not remedy the evil. and Mr..
Lodge said 1t had the effect of accentuat-
/ ing the injustice of the provisions.
Mr.. Nelson said the real desire Is to
place officers in position get not only
| their full pay but also an additional $1,000
or $1,000 from the states "That is the
germ of the Senator's contention" he
said, referring to Mr.. Lodge.
| On the suggestion of Mr.. Proctor the
amendment went over to be voted on to-
morrow.
In connection with the provision for the
support of a provisional regiment of ma
tive troops in Porto Rico, Mr. Clay called
! attention to the fact that Secretary Root
had recommended the discontinuance of
that regiment. Mr.. Proctor replied that
Mr. Root subsequently had changed his
mind and had urged the retention Of the