Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-03
Expenses Of the Late Presidents Illness
DEBATE IN THE SENATE TO-DAY.


DEBATE IN THE SENATE TO-DAY.
Mr.. Vest made an point OF order In the Senate
to-day against the appropriation commit
tees amendment to the general deficiency bill
providing for payment OF all claims growing out
of the illness and burial of the late President
Garfield.
1t provides for a board OF audit, consisting OF
the first and second controllers and the Treasurer
ofthe United States, to examine and pass upon all
the claims. Mr.. Vest made the point that it was
general legislation and not germane Mr.. Hale
Thought the amendment proposed the best plan
for the settlement OF the claims. and said that the
committee comm did not propose to interfere with the
$1,000 for the payment OF these claims, and stipu-
lates that not more than $50 500 OF that sum shall
be paid for medical services and attention
Mr.. Window claimed that the amendment was
not general legislation.
Mr.. Vest commended that 1t was; that it was not
IN pursuance OF any law; that by the same rule of
procedure money to pay any claim could be put on
an appropriation. 1t was not In any sense def
cheney, he said, and he begged the Senate not to
regard IL as In any sense party question, but to
look at it as one that deeply concerned the matter
or legislating for divers purposes appropriation
bills Mr.. Vest said he was prepared to show that
this was the most infamous piece Of business ever
attempted upon an appropriation bill.
He was here called to order by Mr. Hoar, with
the point that he must cOnflne himself to the
point OF order, and he did not finish his remarks
He had, however. diSclaimed ally personal or par
usan eenng IN the matter saying he abhorea the
did any one.
The question on the point OF order raised was
submitted to the Senate and 1t was decided by a
vote OF 20 yeas to ~ nays that the amendment was
in order.
The vote was strictly party one, the republ,-
cans voting that the amendment was proper, the
democrats that it was not, except that Mr.. Davis,
OF Illinois, voted With the democrats and Mr.. Ma
hone with the republicans.
After the amendment had been decided in order
Mr.. Vest said he intended to discuss frankly and
openly the subject OF the claims against the gov
eminent for services to the late President, though
he might be misrepreSented, and might subject
himself TO criticism. He said II anything way
clearly established it was that the late lamented
President was, he would not say butchered, but
the subject OF the gravest malpractice; that the
surgeons spent their time and ability upon puss
cavity. while the location of the wound was not
known. The principal surgeon in the case, he
said. was volunteer, not called by the President
nor was he wanted by himself or his wife. Mr..
Vest said that for eighty days that
heroic sufferer was probed and lanced and
cut to death. He said that any
country physician who had been guilty OF such
malpractice would be indicted for manslaughter
He had read certificates from Dr. s. a. BOynton
and Mrs. Lucretta Garfield to the effect that the
ate President declared, in August 1881 that he
had never considered DR.. Bliss his physician; had
never called him or been consulted by him, but
considered DIR. j. II. Baxter as his physician. He
maintained that the surgeons OF the late President
were not entitled to pay Mr.. Vest was very severe
upon the medical attendants OF the late President