Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-06-23
TAXATION FOR PENSIONS.
RANDALLITES AND MORRISON
TIES CLINCH IN THE HOUSE.

Try to Handicap all Measures in tho
same Way.
WASHINGTON, June 22.-Iu the House
to-day Mr.. Morrison said that last Thurs
day he had given notice that he would to-
day move to go into committee of the
whole on the tariff bill. He had no expec-
tation now that any different result would
be attained from tnat of Thursday last,
and he therefore would not make the mo-
tion to-day. Mr.. Morrison then called up
asa privileged question the report OF the
Committee on Rules, amending the
rules 80 as to provide that
it shall be in order when
a general pension bill Is reported to the
House to attach thereto provision for
raising the revenue necessary to meet
the expenditure involved. In advocating
the proposition, Mr.. Morrison argued that
its adoption was absolutely necessary,
unless Congress was prepared TO grant
pensions and leave the government with
out means to pay them. Since the war
the government had paid out $500, 900
in pensions. When 1t had paid out $780,
100000 more there would be pensions yet
to pay.
THE ARREARS ACT.
1t had been estimated when the arrears
act was passed in 1879, that it would cost
$4,000, 900. There had already been paid
out nearly $500, 900, 900, and by the time
the act was fully executed there would
have been paid out $260,000, 600. Congress
at the present session had passed the
widows Increase bill and the house had
passed the Mexican pension bill. 1t was
estimated that these two measures would
10 ka Il Ns~F
$4,000, 900 to $15.000,000. There were
now pending in the House what was
known as the dependent soldiers bill, the
dill to pension men who suffered in Con-
federate prisons, and the arrears limita-
ton repeal bill.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE REPEAL BILL.
1t was estimated that the repeal bill
would require an expenditure OF $222,-
D00.009, anywhere from $50, 000, 900 to S75,-
100000 Of which must be paid the first
year. He need not again go over the
question of the revenue and the amount
OF surplus. The gentleman from New
York Mr.. Hisc0ck }, and other gentlemen
on both sides OF the House, had predicted
tnat for the next fiscal year there would
be deficit OF $4,000, coo. For himself,
he thought there would be surplus,
but certainly no surplus to compare
with the large number of pensions asked
If his or the other gentleman's prediction
should prove true, and these general PEN
sion bills should pass, there would be no
money to meet the first years payment.
He thought that as principle in these
times OF reckless appropriations he
meant other appropriations than pension
appropriations il would be safe to incor-
pOrate in every bill making a new apprO-
priati0n of any great sum tax bill, and
thus provide means for meeting the eX-
penditure. He thought that it would add
to the frugality OF administration.
REEDS INTEREST.
Mr.. Reed, of Maine, said that he had
listened with some interest to hear the
reasons which had governed the majority
Of the Committee on Rules in reporting
the proposed change of the rules. He ad-
mitted desire to disguise it, but he was
surprised to see the action which the
majority proposed to take. If there were
anything in tue logic presented IN favor
of the change it would be equally appli-
cable to all subjects Of appropriation as
well as that of pensions, and yet this rule
was proposed to be confined to pensions
alone. What was the real object and
what would be the practical effect Of this
action?
THE ALLEGED OBJECT.
There was not a practical man in the
the proposed rule would be ap-
piled 10 fasten upon every pen
sion bill some method OF taxation
which would prove obnoxious to men who
might be desirous OF voting for a pension
measure. Why was this invidiOus dis
tincttOn nader The purpose was to sad
die on pension bills legislation which
would result in the defeat of the bills
themselves. Hesaw no such crisis which
nnh ~ hn
Ously single out a single class of legisla-
tlOn and give an opportunity TO hamper
ID by tacking on legislation which would
le obnoxious TO those VINO favored the
lrst class. He for one was not willing to
enter on such an invidiOus course as pro-
posed by the gentleman from Illinois.
A DOUBLE AIM ALLEGED.
Mr.. HiscOck regarded the proposed rule
rs more Than an attempt 81 make an In
Ydious distinction against pension bills.
IL was an attempt on the part OF the gen.
tleman from Illinois TO avoid tue respOnsi-
blllty Of tho defeat of pension legislation
by direct vote. When pension bills
were reported here aud a gentleman de-
sired that he and his friends should escapa
responsibility OF direct vote against tire
hills, he would move an amendment levy
Ing tax. and the result would be that
me whole system either Of inurnal taxa
l'uH OF OF customs Taxation WOulu DeloICeu
into the House, aud an endless debate
would ensue. The result would be that
all pension legislation would be defeated,
and the gentlemen who opposed such
legislation would avoid the responsibility
u voting directly againstit. II was said
that IL was proper that pension bill
sNould carry the pledge OF Il particular
lund for its payment. This was strange
losiuou 10 be taken by the gentleman
from Illinois.
THE GOLD PLEDGED.
Mr., Randall-Have we not already
pledged the gold that comes into the
llehsury for interest on bJndsg
MT. HiscOck Yes. we have; and that
l- me only pledge that Congress has ever
made Of the revenues of tho general gov
tInment. II pledged its gold for the pay
htnt Of the public debt when 10 was ne
Ves.ary 20 do 10 10 sustain the public
Vledt. When this government was striv-
lNt Tor It's very existence; when II was
necessary 10 sustain our credit abroad 20
lppurt our armies IA the field, we pledged
.N' 'old that should be collected for the
}m meut OF the public debt, and ! confess
furprise that this should be cited az
rd.nt for the measure. Have we
,'ehed that point tbat what We were
' Hed tu DO % maintain our credit in the
'faeia ~ the world in the darkest days
mo nations history should be cited ~
"Hecedent for a bill 10 pension soldiers
QuOusG TmE PLATFORM
hr llisc0eE then went on % quote
a. It IHH Ia