The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-04-12

N ~ EW OhuNANO 1sNNAON
work could be done cheaper than unGer the
present system.
Mr. Aidrich, of Illinois, did not doubt that
pension agents received too high salaries, but
the proposition to make this change would be
fraught with evil.
Mr.. Price, Of Iowa, said there would be no
c,1rtailment of expense by centralizing the
power and control Of the business here
Mr.. Thompson, Of Pennsylvania, objected
also to the Capitalization OF power here
Mr.. Hewitt, of Alabama, argued that the
expense would be greater under the proposed
change than it was at present.
Mr. O'Neill, Of Pennsylvania. also opposed
any change in the system.
Mr.. Caswell OF Wisconsin, argued that the
existing system was better for all parties,
both the government and the pensioners.
this debate had developed that whatever else
there might be, there would be no delay in
the payment under either system. He was
not at all surprised that the pension agents
should bring influence to bear here to pre-
vent the passage of the proposition.
Mr.. Hanna, of Indiana, said that Interested
and mercenary motives had been attributed
to him because ne opposed this proposition.
He spoke for 10000 pensioners in the patriotic
State of Indiana, who felt that they would be
wronged and robbed by the agents and suck
ers who would take advantage of this change
OF law, and who would hope to profit by it;
He believed that the bankers and brokers OF
New York and the East generally, would pro-
fit by this, for they hoped that much OF the
funds would be placed in their cofftrs, and
yet the gentleman from New York tMr. Chit
tenden) insinuated mercenary motives.
! With regard to the insinuatiOn OF the gentle
man from Illinois (Mr. Sparks), he would not
deign to reply to him; but he insisted that
the delays and risks attending the proposed
system would rob the pensioners OF their pit
| tanCe
Mr.. Hanna, who speaks very loud, while
speaking to-day took position in the area in
'front.' OF the Clerks desk, and spoke unusu-
ally loud and earnestly.
Mr. Sparks said he always tried to treat
teman, but the gentleman from Indiana had
come at him like wild Texas bull or bear
He spoke respectfully of the gentleman, as
every gentleman on the floor knows. All he
said was that he came from a city that had
pension agency, and there was, therefore,
nothing singular in his opposing this change.
ugly a and says loud things, but they
were not borne out by the facts in the case.
He (Mr. Sparks had not made party ques-
Mr.. Chittenden, of New York, said he had
nothing to do with the bankers of New York,
and therefore Mr.. Hanna's remarks did not
apply to him. AS to robbing his Mr.. Hanna q
accuse him of putting, his hands in
his (Mr. Hannas) pocket and taking
out whatever money he had in
it, The gentleman's remarks We're all bosh
taughter They Were unworthy OF any y
, elected to q seat on this floor. Renewed
laughterl There was not q word of sense OF
truth in what he said. That talk about bank
ers was sheer nonsense. He was prepared &c
show that Sta per cent of the pensioners were
now paid through the postoffice, and il that
number could be paid in that way now he did
not see why all could not be paid from Wash,
, ington. He would take the responsibility OF
satisfying all OF Mr Hannas pensioners VINO
Mr.. Sparks, coming down into the area. II
, front of the Clerks desk, asked Mr. Hanna
whether his law partner was not the pens ior
, agent at Indianapolis.
E Sparks, replied that he would say that his
law partner had served in the war, and tina
was more than he (Mr. Sparks had done.
The House applauded, and above this dir
other, while the Chair was trying to preserv
, order by vigorously pounding with his gavrl
Mr. Sparks reiterated that Mr.. Hanna
partner was the pension agent at lndianapo
, lis.
After further discussion the committee pro
ceeded to act upon the amendments
On motion OF Mr.. Hewitt, OF Alabama, tn
: appropriation for fees of examining surgeon
/ was reduced from $4,000 to $4,000, and tn
Y fees were limited to 81 in each case.
: Mr. Powers, OF Maine, then offered al
Q amendment, which was prepared by the Com
9 mittee on Invalid Pensions, striking out all o
g the section which abolished the pension agen
\ cies, and required the Treasurer OF the Unite
Y States to make all payments. 1t also limit
g the salary of pension agents to $4,000 eacf
= with an additional SIS for each 100 voucher
: prepared and paid, and appropriates for thi
purpose and for the expenses OF clerk hire
= rent, etc, the sum of $4,000, which is re
r daction of 100000. The amendment wa
adopted after brief discussion
q Mr. Fort, of Illinois, offered an amendmen
g transferring the duty of paying pensions
n the War Department., and requiring arm
officers to be detailed for that purpose. Re
= jected.
ME-. Marsh, of Pennsylvania, offered a
amendment that hereafter officers on the r.
, tired list of the army shall be detailed, as Ia
) as may be, as pension agents.
! Mr. Butler: This is good opportunity t
q make Gen. Shields a pension agent
o ILaughter.) The amendment was rejected.
q Mr. Rice, OF Ohio, offered an amendment
that after July 1, 1878, the offices OF penslo
: agents shall be filled by wounded and disi
n a hurrah, there being but few dissentin
voices. ~
The committee then rose and the bill 6
, amended WaS reported to the House al
- - passed
Il The House Immediately went into commi
! tee again, and took up the Postoifice appr'
l. priation bill. ,.,,
. Mr. Bloant was recognized as entitled
- the floor, whereupon the committee agal
4 rose.
II Mr.. Waadel, of North Carolina, reporte,
;. the annual post route bill, and it was pasSed
a The House at 4 rs p. III. adjourned.
a. See the opposition ticket. formed OF stron
q substantial capitalists. presented IN anoln
:, column for the annual election OF directors