National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-01-22
PFNsIoNs FoR Widows.
a Warm Debate In the House on the
BllI Increasing Thorn from So 20 S12.

BilI Increasing Them from So 20 St2.
When the committees in the House were
called yesterday morning It was not de-
veloped that any Of them were ready to call
upa measure for consideration, and by unaui.
nous consent the bill increasing the pen
sions Of soldiers widows from s. to$l2 per
month was taken up before the expiration
Of the morning hour. The House went into
committee Of kthe whole, and period Of
spoech-making and controversy set In and
covered the entire afternoons session,
proving sufficiently interesting throughout
to keep the galleries well crowded.
Mr.. WolfOrd, whose argument was I'M
timely cut of the day BEFORE resumed, and
taking the middle aisle, in front of the
speakers chair, made speech IN favor OF
the bill that left nothing to be desired on
the score OF eornestness,, lie was iolloweu
by Mr.. Reagan, who thought that pen
sions should he limited to soldiers
who had been disabled In tho
war, or to widows who had been wives OF
soldiers at the time OF death or disability.
He criticised the passage of special pension
bills by Congress, and intimated that their
passage was due more to political reasons
than genuine wish to do justice to the
soldier. This elected m indignant IN
curry from Mr. Funston as to Mr.. Roagan's
right to thus impugn the motives of his
fellow members, In response to which the
Texas statesman said he had occupied
seat in tho House when the arrears Of pen
sions act passed, and he had seen Democrats
urging Democrats to vote for it, because 1t
would give them the soldier vote, aud Re-
publicans urging Republicans TO vote for IL,
in order to get ahead Of the Democrats.
No one would doubt that, instead OF the
supreme and sole motive for this legislation
being 20 secure justice to those who
NhpfH nj
stronger motive was to secure po-
litical supremacy. What was this
to come from9 lie warned members
that the point might be reached when pub
lie opinion might revolt against voting
away the money Of the toiliDg millions in
this sort Of way. He asserted that there
were numbers Of men-he might say thou
sands-who were receiving pensions who
had no more right TO them than he had.
"Who are theyY Who are they9" asked
Mr.. Funston.
1.-THE gentleman can make his speech
when the time comes" replied Mr. Reagan.
"He will not interrupt me any more. l
come here as representative OF portion
of the American people. | come here to
speak for them, and do not propose that
members ON the floor shall challenge my
right to express my convictions on great
public questions. do not expect to defeat
this proposition, but in the name Of my
constituents, in the name Of the taxpayers
OF this country, propose TO make q pro-
test against the universal and indiscrlmnate
granting Of pensions to all men and all
women who ask for them.n
Mr.. Rcagan's rather antagonistic and UNI
popular attitude, as thus developed,
brought him good many sharp thrusts
from members In tho course Of the debate,
about the keenest being Mr. Matson's
neatly-veiled allusion to Mr.. Reagan's
course In the war that created the great
bulk Of the pension list When quoting
Mr.. Reagan's query, "Whatis this to come
tor he said: ~ say in all kindness to my
friends, he ought TO have thought about
that long ago. This shot brought around
of applause from the Republican side that
who, like Mr.. Matson, had fought on the
side Of the Union.
Mr.. Dunn, Of Arkansas, offered an
amendment that he described as n "New
Years gift to put into Santa Claus's PEN
sion wGgon,n granting pensions to survlv.
ors Of the Mexican and Indian wars. Mr..
Matson advocated the passage of the bill
widows of men who had lost their lives In
defense Of their flag ought to be provided
for In manner commensurate with the
greatness Of the country, and 1t did not lie
In the mouth Of any one to say that, because
Of this little thing or that little thing, pen
sions should not be granted.
Mr.. Reagan thought that he had right t
express HIS views and represent his con
stituents on this floor without being subject
TO personal taunts. The constitution ant
the laws and the Partially Of his constitu
ents had sent him here, and he did not COM
TO inquire from the gentleman from indiana
(Mr. Matson) whether or not he was priv
legged to debate or discuss any question.
The bill was then read by sections 10
amendment.
Mr.. Warner of Ohio, offered an amend
ment providing that this act shall appl
only to widows who were married before 1t
passage.
Mr.. Townshend, of Illinois, offered al
amendment as a substitute for Mr. War
ners amendment providing that when al
invalid pensioner shall die his widow o
minor children shall be entitled to al
original pension without being required T.
prove that the death Of the pensloner wa
due to his military or naval service.
Mr.. Townshend's amendment was re
jected by vote of les to lilo and Mr.. War
ner's by vote Of 105 to 1876.
Mr.. Milliken, Of Maine, in speaking to
pro forma amendment, advocated the re
peal of the limitation clause OF the arrear
act, and likened the gentleman who, Will
favoring the repeal, opposed the repeal q
this time to old Judge Stebbins, of Maine
who, while in favor Of prohibltory law
was opposed to its enforcement.
On motion Of Mr.. Sowden, of Pennsyl
vania, an amendment was adopted maxim!
1t misdemeanor for any person to receiv
any money for the prosecution Of any CLAIM
arising under this act.
Mr.. Browne Of Indiana, then offered hi
amendment repeating the limitation on tn
arrears of pension act.
Mr.. Rogers, of Arkansas, raised the poin
that the amendment was not In order, as |
contained the substance Of n bill pendin
before the House. A long discussion OF til
point followed, and in order to enable tn
matter to be looked into still further tn
House, at 5:15, adjourned.