The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-15
THE HOUSE.

o
MIR. White and the Speaker.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13,-Tmmediately after the
reading of the journal the House went into COM
mittee of the whole, Mr.. Reed. of Maine, in the
chair, on the pension appropriation bill. 1t ap-
prOpriates SO $4,000, of which $4,000, 900 is
for army pensions, 100000 for navy pensions,
$4,000 for fees and expenses of examining
surgeons, $290,000 for pay and allowance of
pension agents. and $10 900 for contingencies
Mr.. O'Neill, of Pennsylvania, under authority
Of the committee on appropriations, moved to
increase the appropriations for army pensions to
SS5, 100000. After some discussion, the motion
was adopted.
An amendment was also adopted making i'm
medIateiy available $4,000 of the appropria-
ton Tor ices and expenses oil examining sur
geons
Mr.. O'Nein explained that at the close of tho
present fiscal year there would be an unex pended
balance to the credit or the Pension Bureau of
SIS 100000, which would bring the appropria-
ton up to the estimate of the department.
Mr.. Blackburn said that the amendment was
rightso far as 1t Went but the question was
whether it went far enough. The estimates
amounted to $lo1 100000. This bill to appro
pirate $50, 000, 900 reapprOprlated the mex
pended balance which should be on hand at the
end of the current year He feared deficiency
bill at the next session.
The committee then rose and reported 1t to the
House, when it was passed.
On motion of Mr.. MurGh the select committee
on charges against Chief Clerk Bailey was
directed to inquire If that officer attempted at
any time to Influence legislation for the benefit
of the Washington Gas-light Company.
Mr.. Forney moved to go into committee of
the whole on the fertilization bill.
Mr.. White, of Kentucky, endeavOred to secure
action on the resolution reported adversely in
June last, from the ways and means committee
calling on the Secretary Of the Treasury for In
formation relative to the passage of the bill in
regard to the entry OF distilled spirits into
bonded warehouses.
The Speaker ruled that Mr. Forney's motion
nrRpp1RnpP ar nj
White that the Speaker, by mis- decision, was
tending to this whisky BILL" the House went
into committee of the whole. Mr.. Davis Of Hi
nois, in the chair, on the fertilization appropria-
tion bill. The bill appropriates $685., 900.
After few remarks by Mr.. McCook, of New
York, protesting against the neglect of Congress
in leaving the seacOast Notifications in helpless
condition, tho committee rose and the bill
passed.
The House then proceeded to the considera-
zion of special order, being bills reported from
the committee on pensions, bounty and back
pay.
Mr. Joyce called mp rhs bill providing that
any person who, while in the naval or military
service, shall have lost sight of one shall be
entitled to receive pension of $l2 per month,
and in cases In which injury to one eye mani
testify affects injurously the sight OF the other
eye, he shall be entitled to equitable increase
in his pension not to exceed in the whole amount
$20 per month, and all those who, under like
circumstances, have lost the sight OF one eye,
the sight of the other having been previously
lost shall be entitled to pension of $50 per
month, and ali those who, while in the military
ornaVal service Ia the united states IN the line
of duty, by injury received or disease contract
ed shall have lost the hearing of both ears, shall
be entitled to pension OF 1925 per month, and
for any loss of hearing less than total deafness
in one or both ears they shall receive an equita-
bis portion OF the full pension.
Mr.. Bragg opposed the bill. The evil of the pen
sion law was that Congress, under the guise of
doing justice to a few did the rankest and foul
est Injustice to $4,000 persons. Before Congress
passed these special pension laws it should APP
point committee TO grade the pension list SO
that justice should be done all alike.
The bill passed-yeas 1875, nays 55
Mr.. Hit gave notice that Tuesday, the 9th Of
February, he would ask the House to adopt APP
prOprlate resolutions upon the deaJh Of his pre-
decessor r. NJ. A Hawk.
The speaker laid before the House a letter from
the clerk of the House calling attention to the
necessity of making some provision for accom-
mOdating the increased representation in the
next Congress. Referred
Adjourned,