The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-22
THE HOUSE.
Continuation of the Debate the Bill In
creasing Widows Pensions.

Continuation of the Debate on the Bill In
creasing Widows Pensions.
WASHINGTON, Jan. PA number of execu-
tive Communications were laid before the House
by the Speaker, and appropriately referred.
Among them was one from the Secretary of the
Treasury submitting an account Of the invest
ment of the sinking fund of the Union Pacific
and Central Pacific railroads, and recommend
ing such modification of the act of March 7,
1878, as will authorize the Secretary Of the
Treasury to invest the sinking fund in other
than government securities.
No bills of any Importance being reported un-
der the call OF committees. the House resumed.
in the morning hour, the consideration of the
bill to increase the pensions of soldiers widows.
Mr.. Wolford, of Kentucky, made an impas-
stoned speech in favor of the BILL and there was
much confusion in the House, the member s
crowding around him. as he stood in the center
aisle, to listen. He advocated the repeal of the
arrearages limitation, but thought that to ncor
porate this provision on the pending bill might
endanger the passage of both. He was fire.
quently interrupted by Mr.. Browne, of Indiana,
and the word fencing between the two gentle
men was heartily enjoyed by the House
Mr.. Reagan, of Texas, took the ground that
only soldiers who had been disabled in the war; or
widows VINO had been wives of soldiers at the
time the disability had occurred should receive
pensions. He criticised the manner in which
special pension bills were passed by Congress-
and stated that he would drive the petitioners to
the Pension Office and make them give the
proof required by law. He would not allow them
TO come here with ex parte evidence and secure
pensions. In these bills relatins to pensions the
contest was not so much one about doing justice
TO soldiers as it was a contest for political su-
premacy. bid for the votes of the soldiers.
Mr. Funston. of Kansas (interruptingl
right have you to impugn the motives of mem
bers in that manners
Mr. Reagan declined to yield. '.The gentleman
can make his speech when the time comes re-
piled MIR. Reagan. He will not interrupt me
any more" he had occupied seat in the House
when the arrears act had passed, and he had seen
Democrats urging Democrats to vote for
it because it would give them the SOL
der vote. and Republicans urging Republicans
TO vote for it in order to get ahead of the Dem
ocrats. No one would doubt that, instead of the
supreme and sole motive for this legislation be-
ing TO secure justice to those who served their
country, another and stronger motive was to
secure political supremacy. What was this to
come to? He warned members that the point
might be reached when public opinion would re-
volt against voting away the money of the toll
ing millions in this sort of way. He asserted
that there were numbers Of men-he might say
thousands-who were receiving pensions who
had no more right to them thar he had. II
come here as the representative Of portion of
the American people. come here to speak for
them, and do not propose that members on
this floor shall challenge my right to express my
convictions great public questions. do not
expect to defeat this proposition, but in the
name of my constituents, in the name of the
tax payers Of this country, propose to make a
protest against the universal, indiscriminate
granting of pensions to all men and women who
ask for them"
Mr.. Dunn, of Arkansas, had not expected that
this bill would be made an omnibus one, a Santa
Clans pension wagon but it seemed that it was
10 be loaded down with amendments He re-
membered class of soldiers who had done more
10 earn pensions at the hands of this government
than any other class had done. He remembered
the men who had added to the public domain
that vast region Of country from the Louisiana
aarish to the Pacific ocean, the men who had un-
rolled the map of the country across the rock
ribbed mountains of the West, until it reached
down to the distant coast of California He
spoke for them, and he sent to the Clerks desk
New Years gift for the Santa Claus wagon.
The gift consisted of proposed amendment
granting pensions to the survivors Of the Next
can and Indian wars
Dir. Matson, of Indiana, spoke briefly in favor
Of the bill, urging that it be passed without
amendment He incidentally replied to Mr.
Reagar's question. and. quoting the gentleman's
query, What is this to come to. said In all
Kindness 10 my friend. | say that he ought to
hare thought about that long ago." Applause
on the Republican side Continuing he said