Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-05-02
House Of Rc,reseutot;rex.

WASHINGTON, May 1--Mr. Chittenden intro
duced bill providing for the exchange of frac-
tional silver coin for United States notes. Re-
ferred. number of Senate bills were re-
ferred, and the House then went into commit
tee of the whole the legislative appropria-
ton bill, Mr.. Eden in the chair.
Mr.. Finley moved to strike out the clause
which directs the clerical force EMPLOYED on
the medical and surgical history of the
war shall be employed on work necessary to
the payment OF pensions.
Mr.. Conger charged the Democratic side of
the House with the responsibility of reducing
the force in the surgeon generals office to such
an extent as to prevent the examination Of ap-
plications for pensions.
MIR. Bragg thought it high time the gentle
man from Michigan, MIR. Conger, should come
to the front to participate in the hard work of
the veterans during the war. That gentleman
had been sitting in C. soft seat in Congress-
drawing five thousand dollars year.
MIR. Atkins stated the clerical force appro-
priated for by the bill was sufficient to bring
up arrears OF pensions. There was not a man
on the floor, whether he had followed the stars
and stripes or fought under the conquered ban
ner, who desired to obstruct tho prompt paw
ment of pensions.
The discussion which followed took slightly
political turn, and was participated in by
Messrs COX OF OnlO, BAKER, Crlttenden, Dur
ham, Atkins, and Garfield. The latter regret
ted the turn the discussion had taken and was
especially sorry the speaker had seen fit to
come down to the floor yesterday and start a
political discussion.
Mr.. Randall, the speaker-The gentleman
misrepresents entirely. I never introduced
politics or personalities. If I had done the
latter, l might, as I was under great provo
cation. AS to the question of politics, saw
there ought not to be any politics when it
comes to the expenditure of money, but we
should all unite in seeking to sxve, as far as
possible: the public funds.
MIR. Chittcnden said he was ashamed of his
country, when her pensioners were put off with
weak, unmeaning and unfaithful apologies
The discussion was further continued by
Messrs. Banning and Wait. A vote was then
taken on the amendment offered by Mr.. Finley,
and it was agreed to, 104 to 81.
Mr.. Cannon offered an amendment authoriz-
ing detail to the surgeon generals bureau of
number of enlisted men sufficient to do the
work necessary for the prompt payment of
pensions. Adopted.
MIR. Dunnell moved to increase the number
of clerks employed in the general land Office.
He stated the force was not sufficient to answer
the demands upon it. The work of the Office
was Is years in arrears for want of sufficient
clerical force. The amendment was reported
Without coming to final action on the bill,
the committee rose.
MIR. Robertson, chairman of the committee
on Mississippi levees, reported a bill appropria-
ting S3,S7l.574 for closing crevasses and
strengthening the levees on the Mississippi
river. Ordered printed and recommitted.
Mr.. Vance, chairman of the committee on
patents, reported bill amending the patent
laws. Printed and recommitted.
Mr.. Throckmorton introduced bill limiting
rates for transportation of freight and passen.
gers over the Pacific railroad bridge at Omaha
| Referred.
The House then took recess till 1880. the
evening session for debate only.