The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-07
THE HOUSE.
The Pension Bill Amended so as to Limit
Fees, and Passed.

The Pension Bill Amended so as to Limit
Fees, and Passed.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.-Mr. Hancock explained
the provisions of the pension bill, which appro-
PIRATES 500, 976, 600, or $24. 900 less than the esti-
mates.
Mr.. Warner, of Ohio. inveighed against the
abuses which existed under the present pension
law in the matter of the compensation allowed
claim agents. and declared that the piracy of the
middle ages was an honest calling compared
with the operations of claim agents in the city
of Washington. They claimed to be the friends
Of soldiers; they were the kind of friends
to soldiers that wolves were to sheep. This
claim business in Washington was entirely too
profitable. He had prepared an amendment
which would, if enacted into law, remedy the
evils of the present system. 1t was to limit the
fees of agents to $40, payable only when the
claim was allowed, but to allow special written
contracts for $25 to be entered into between
claimant and agent residing in the same State
and county.
Mr.. Randall said that at the last session the
House adopted a proposition to remedy the evils
existing, but the Senate refused to concur in it.
In the conference committee legislation had
been formulated which was enacted in law. and
under this law the abuses complained of by the
gentleman from Ohio had crept in.
Mr.. j. d. Taylor. of Ohio, attacked the COM
mittee on pensions, bounty and back pay, and
characterized it as the graveyard Of all pension
legislation.
Mr.. Warner, of Ohio. replied in vindicatiou of
the action of the committee.
In the course of further debate, MFR. Keifer
having the floor. he was interrupted several
times by Mr.. Warner. Mr.. Keifer declined to
yield, and expressed the belief that it was very
unfair for a gentleman who had consumed
nearly an hour in vindicating himself and his
committee, to insist on interrupting other speak
ers.
Mr.. Warner replied that he had not consumed
as much time in vindicating himself as the gen.
tleman from Ohio had spent last session in at
tempting to vindicate himself.
Mr.. Keifer asked the Chair to have a good deal
of forbearance towards the gentleman from
Ohio, because it was constitutional with him to
interrupt.
In discussion Of the bill, Mr.. Keifer entered
his protest against the whole system of pension
claims, and expressed his disapproval of the pro-
posed reduction of pension agents from eighteen
to twelve.
The bill having been read, and amendments
being in order, Mr.. Everhart offered a 'proviso
that all applicants for pensions shall be presumed
to have had no disability at the time Of enlist
ment, but such presumption may be rebutted.
Adopted.
Mr.. Rogers, of Arkansas, offered an amend
ment providing that no agent shall receive any
fee for his services In pension cases until allow
ance of the claim; that ali fees shall be paid by
the pension agents, and that such fees shall be
$40, except in cases were special written con-
tracts are filed in the Pension Office, when a fee
of $50 may be contracted for; a violation of this
provision to be punishable by fine and impris-
onment.
MI. Warner offered an amendment to the
amendment limiting special contracts to claim
ant and claim agent residing in the same State,
which was agreed to.
Mr.. Rogers's amendment, as amended, was
adopted.
On motion of Mr.. OHara, an amendment was
adopted providing that the mode and manner
provided for regulation of payment for white
pensioners shall apply to all pensioners.
Mr.. Matson offered an amendment increasing
pension TO widows and minor children TO $l2
per month. Ruled out on a point of order.
Adjourned.