The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-26
During the Consideration of Which, Mr..
Henderson, of Iowa, Severely Criticises
the Methods of Commissioner Black,
And Charges the Democracy with Keep
ing Sectional Bitterness Alive.
Senator Edmunds Again Introduces His Bill
Retaliating on Countries That Discrimi-
nate Against American Products.
THE HOUSE.
The Pension Appropriation Bill Leads to 8
Political Debate.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25--Mr. Hewitt of New
! York, presented memorial of 122 savings
banks of New York State, representing ], ,165, 600
derositors, asking for the repeal of the Bland sit
yer act Referred.
| Mr. Morgan, of, Texas, from the committee ON
commerce. reported bill to incorporate the
Atlantic g. Pacific Ship Railway Company. Re-
| ferred to the committee Of the whole
Mr. Wheeler, of Alabama from the committee
on military affairs, reported the MilitaryAcademy
appropriation bl and it was referred to the COM
| mittee of the whole The estimate for 1887 is
| $412,0 The committee recommend the appro-
priation of $297, sos, or $114,270 less than the
| estimates
| Mr. Blount, of Georgia, from the committee
on postofices end post-roads reported the post
Office appropriation bill, and it was referred to
the committee of the whole.
Mr.. Payson, of Illinois, from the committee
on public lands, reported a bill to forfeit the
lands granted to the State of Michigan to aid in
the construction of railroad from Ontonagon
| to the Wisconsin State line Placed on the
House calendar.
Mr. Hewitt. of New York. from the committee
on ways and means. submitted report in regard
1 W Luo Case VI L. L. LeuLldu, VI NSW L OIh, huu
| it was referred to the House calendar
In the morning hour the House resumed, in
| committee of the whole, consideration of the
| Hennepin canal BILL
| Mr.. Murphy, of Iowa, concluded his speech in
| advocacy of the measure, and predicted that the
| latter part of the present century would be
famous on account of the canals that would be
then constructed. Congress should pay out
the millions Of dollars that were now rusting in
the Treasury for the Hennepin canal and other
much-needed public works, and this action
would result In blessings upon the people.
| Mr. Rowell, of Illinois, supported the bill, con-
| tending that as the canal would be factor in
the cbeapening Of transportation rates, II was
national enterprise which should be undertaken
by the government.
Pending the conclusion Of his romarks, the
morning hour expired and the committee rose.
The House then again resolved itself into COM
mittee of the whole-Mr Crisp, Of Georgia, in the
chair-on the pension appropriations bill.
Mr. Townshend, Of Illinois, who has charge
Of the bill. explained its provisions. 1t appro-
printed he said, $75 754, 200 about SIS, 100000
more than was carried by the law for the current
year. This increase was occasioned by the ac-
tolerated work that was being done in the Pen.
sion Office and for this work tho Commissioner
of Pensions and his employees deserved commenda-
ton. No money paid out of tho national Treasury
accomplished more general good than the money
expended by this bill. No better could be
made Of the vast surplus in the Treasury than
| to pay il out on mertorious claims for pensionC
| and other Just dues to the soldiers.
Mr.. Henderson, of Iowa, while concurring
with Mr.. Townshend in his general remarks upon
| pension matters, differed from him when he at
tributed the increased appropriations to the ac-
celebrated work of the Pension Office. The gen.
| tleman had failed to call attention to the fact
| that the Commissioner of Pensions had stated to
the committee on appropriations that there
would be difference of about So 600, 900 for the
current year, so that the $4,000, 600 which
year 1886, was confessed by the
Commissioner to be insufficient to
meet the requirements of the law. The
| average appropriation for pensions for the last
six years $77, 449. 600, showing that the ap-
preparation contained in the pending bill was
| ST. 694 800 below the average. The country had
lately been treated to very large amount of in.
formation in regard to the arrears Of
pers of the 9th Of January had pub
iished the Commissioners letter, with start.
ling headlines, and commended the action OF
Mr.. Randall in the premises. He was glad than
there was gentleman in the House so patriotic
as to rescue the country from the danger that
seemed to threaten it. Why had the letter or
the Commissioner been indited and given to the
country twenty-four hours in advance OF knowl-
edge of the humble members OF the committee
on appropriations
Mr.. Randall--It did not come from the COM
mittee or from any member of the committee.
Mr.. Henderson, understand that only two
copies were given out, ono to the chairman
of the committee and one to the Pres
ident. The gentleman disclaims ii. The Pres
ident is not here 1t lies between the king and
the cobbler-the President of the United States
or the Commissioner of Pensions. The Commits
sioners letter had not only been telegraphed
over the country, but telegraphed with ninety
three million dollar lie in its stomach. When
he Mr.. Henderson, had examined the
letter he had seen that 1t contained on
its face a repetition of $S0,OO0OO0, aud
he had written to the Commissioner, calling
attention to the fact. Two days afteward he re-
ceived letter from the Commissioner affirming
the correctness of his first figures. day or two
| afterward the Commissioner had appeared be-
| fore the committee and had changed front three
| times, until every member OF the committee
agreed that the point he Mr.. Henderson, had
| taken was correct. Then the Commissioner had
| yielded and written supplementary letter-a tail
| to the first great battering ram-to bolster up
| the bunder that he had previously refused to
| acknowledge. The effect of the first letter had
| acted like magic, and been carried to certain
| committee rooms about the Capitol Whether it
| would be finally successful In intimidating any
committee from meeting the patriotic require
ments of the hour remained TO be seen. He did
| not believe that il would. but the truth was
finally developed that only $222 OO0, 600 would be
| the expenditure arising from the limitation re-
| peal. Even that was more speculation. He did
| not believe it would cost over $3.50 100000 He
then passed to discussion of the administration
| of the Pension Bureau, and quoted from Com
| mission Blacks report, In which he condemns
| the political methods by which the bureau had
| been administered by his predecessor Mr.
Henderson defended ex-Commissioner Dudley.
and while he commended the exnreesa7 dee; ~ II