National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-20

Officer who served as chief OF artillery dur
ing the war, and place him on the retired
list with the rank Of major general. The
I'LL is intended to apply to Cot. Henry J..
Hunt. 10 met with a good deal Of opposi-
ton, principally from the Republican side,
Mr.. Price, Of Wisconsin, and Mr.. Peters, of
Kansas, ohiecting to II rs class legislation,
and Mr.. Reed, Of Maine, placing his oppo-
sition on constitutional grounds, as being
an infringement by Congress Of the execu-
tive functions.
Mr.. Laird, OF Nebraska, made the strong
Get speech. in it's support, and declared that
Congress was just as competent to exercise
legislative and executive functions as the
gentleman at the other end OF the avenue.
lie sarcostically praised the, opinion and
judgment Of the gentleman from Kansas
(Mr Peters) andslightingly referred TO the
fact that neither Mr.. Price nor MIR. Reed
had been in the war, saying that some people
would not be so stout and round and sleek
and mighty physically II they had under
gone some OF the vicissitudes Of the war in
which Gen. Hunt had participated.
Pending action, the committee rose, and
half dozen private bills were passed.
On motion Of Mr., Clardy, Of Missouri, o
resolution was adopted setting apart April
10 for the consideration of bills reported
from the committee on commerce, authoriz-
ing the construction OF bridges, the estab.
lishmeut OF lighthouses, and bills relating
to the life saving service. II is under
stood that the Arthur Kill bridge bill will
not be brought up on that day.l
The House then, at 4:50, took recess un.
III T30, the evening session to be devoted To
the consideration OF private pension bills.
At the evening session the House passed
thirty pension bills. The last bill to be con.
sidered was that granting pension ol
$4,000 year to the widow of Gen. W. s.
Hancock.
Mr.. Bingham, Of Pennsylvania, eloqueutly
supported the bill, and quoted as prece
dents the cases OF the widows of Admiral
Farragut and Gen. Thomas.
Mr.. Price, Of Wisconsin, opposed the bill
and stated that It must be considered ii
full house. He knew that the country had
paid Gen. Hancock, brilliant, brave, gen
CrOus In all his proportions, the sum oil
$4,000 during the last twenty years.
ale helped save your country" sug
gested Mr.. Bingham.
Mr.. Price. And there are hundreds Of
thousands as good rs lie, who helped save
the country, who are starving. CONTINUE
ing, lie said that the practice of granting
large pensions TO widows Of men who had
been receiving big salaries, and who died
poor, was destructive of American man
hood. The influence was to make meI
| live up to the last dollar OF their salaries IN
pOmp and extravaganza aud champagne.
II shook every principle of justice aud ere
ated privileged class.
Mr. Bingham regretted the necessity o
taking the bill before the House In full ses
sion. lie thought IL would be such grace
ful act, such q generous act, to pass the bill
now that he felt that the gentlemau's owl
constituents would applaud him for being
party to It. lie (Mr Blngham) could moi
argue this question without losing his pa
thence. For four years he had served Oh
| Gen. Hancock's personal staff, aud he re-
GREETED that the pension Of the widow OF
that general should be fixed as low rs
S2,000. Tks bill introduced by Mr.. Pulit.
ger, granting pension equal to that of the
widows Of eX-Presidents, would have beer
more in accord with his feelings. With the
exception OF Lincoln he knew nc
man Of modern times who had
done more for his country, for civilization
humanity and liberty than Hancock had
[Appause.l lie trusted that the gentleman
from Wisconsin (Mr Price, would let the
| question come before this gathering tonight
Let this case go through as cases OF this
kind should 60 through-the tribute of the
Representatives of the people to the widow
of one Of the bravest and most chiValrlc
soldiers of our war.
On the question Of passing the bill the
vote stood 25 to 4-Messrs. Price. Zach Tay.
lor, johnson, of Indiana, and Winans vot-
ing against It, Mr.. PriceIth raised the
question of no quorum, The previous
question was, however, ordered on the bill
and II goes oyer until Monday.
The House then, at 1925, adjourned un-
til to-day.