New-York tribune., 1886-01-22
HOSTILITY TO PENSIONS.
REAGAN ATTACKS HIS FELLow.MEMBERs RS.
A FURRY IN THE HoUsE-sPErcHEs BY UNION
VETERANS.

A FURRY IN THE HoUsR-sPEEcHEs BY UNION
VETERANS.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE-l
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21.-1he ex-Postmaster-
General OF the late Southern Coufederacyis Democratic
.reformer who is always ready to 60 in for the old
Sag and big appropriation when the latter is
Tor the benefit of Southern mail contractors
who have been paid before is 10 be expended IN
Texas for any local purpose. But II the money 10 oo
applied the payment of pensions to the disabled SOL
ers and sailors of the Union or the widows ana orphans
d men who died on the battlefield or from wounds or
disease In defence OF their country Mr. Reagan at once
critical and conservative and he is not slow to lee
his brother members on rextraVagahce
20 impugn their motives and cast slurs against their
Integrity and sincerity. lie did so to-day when the Dill
TO Increase pensions of widows and other dependent
relatives OF deceased Union soldiers and sailors was
under discussion. He anxious TO do yesterday
after the eloquent speech by the gallant Union veteran
Colonel Henderson, OF Iowa. who left les on the battle
field in 1868 at time when rebels were JUDI
liant and patriots almost discouraged
But Mr. Reagan found his opportunity to-day, and sew
eral OF the who stood near heard him de-
clare that the pending bill was piece OF unjustlhabie
extravaganza and that the who supported 1t were
demagogues who did not because Of their desire to
justice the widows OF dead soldiers but as
bid for votes.
Several Republicans among them Mr.. Funston, of
Kansas, and General Cutcheon, of Michigan, both
OF whom gallant Union soldiers, demanded
10 know by what right Mr. Reagan cast an lmpuatlon
upon the friends OF the b but he refused TO DC Inter
Iupted
Colonel MatsOn Indiana is Democrat, but he was
Union soldier also, and he took occasion to reply TO
Mr.. Reagan's complaint about the cost OF pensions
was matter which he and his friends
ought 10 have considered "a good many
Later General Cutcheom obtaiued the floor and in an
gnant speech declared that he denied the right OF
Reagan and such lecture him this subject or
impugn his motives and integrity lie admitted MT, tnat
the Texas had the advantage over Dl IN one
respect by saying He can look at this subject OF
che0ns short speech excited considerable applause on
the Republican side
Colonel Waford OF Kentucky, undertook to defend the
Democratic In the House against the charge tat
had refused to do justice to disabled soldiers OF the
Union upon condition that veterans Of tue eA
War who afterward participated In the Repetition
became greatly excited over some questions lnetJecteu
by General Browne, Of Indiana ana at last ne eA-
clalm5d: ---,,-
/ don't want to hear any more categorical questions
and will not swer them. / intend to make my own
speech in my way without having yours put into
The tilt bet ween General Browne and the Kennckan
provoked a good deal OF merriment and nearly al
the members of the House gathered around
the course OF the debate MIR. Townshend,
OF Illinois delivered an impassoned speech In favor OF
an amendment offered by him providing that the WIDOW
OF invalid peDsiOner who has died. or VINO sha Ole
hereafter shall be entitled to pension without being re-
To service in the Army or Navy Only few Demo
yOOd for this amendment and II was reecteu Dy
vote OF los TO 10 ,,.,.
the proposed bill shall apply only to widows VINO were
married prior tc It's enactment. The Democrats Voteu
sodly in favor OF it, but tho amendment wac DC
point OF order raised by Mr.. Rogers, OF Arkan-
sas against General Brownies ancndment repeating tue
the matter not disposed OF before
the House adjourned.