Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-22

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public opinion would revolt against
voting away the money Of toiling mil
lions in this sort Of way. he asserted
that there were a number Of men, he
might say thousands, who were receiv-
ing pensions who had no more right to
them than he had.
Mr.. Funston: "Who are they
Who are they"
1.-The gentleman can make his speech
when the time comes" replied Mr.. Rea-
gan. ale will not interrupt me any
more. ] come here as a representative
Of q 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 ex-
press 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 tax
payers of this country, propose to
make q protest against the universal
and indiscriminate granting Of pensions
to all men and women who ask for
them"
Mr.. Dunn, Of Arkansas, had not ex-
pected that this bill would be made an
omnibus or Santa-Claus pension
wagon but il seemed that it was to be
loaded down with amendments. He
remembered a class of soldiers who
had done more to earn pensions at the
hands Of this Government than any
other class had done. lie rem embered
men who had added to the public do
main that vast region of country
from the Louisiana purchase to the
Pacific ocean, men who had unrolled
the map Of the country across the
rock.ribbed mountains of the West
until it reached down to the far
distant coast of California; men
who had borne the flag Of the country
across the arid plains of Mexico and
planted it on the walls Of the great city
of the Montezumas. He spoke for
them, and he sent to the Clerks desk a
New-Year's gift to put into the Santa
Claus pension-wagOn. The gift con-
sisted Of proposed amendment grant
ing pensions to the survivors Of the
Mexican and Indian wars.
Mr.. Matson, Of Indiana, spoke briefly
in favor Of the bill, urging that it be
passed without amendment. lie incl
dentally replied to Mr.. Reagan's speech,
and quoting that gentlemsn's query,
What is this to come to-" by re-
marking, In all kindness to my friend,
say that he ought to have thought
about that long ago." Applause on
the Republican side Continuing, he
said that the widows Of men who had
lost their lives in defence Of their flag
ought to be provided for in manner
commensurate with the greatness Of
the country. and it did not lie in the
mouth Of any one to say that because
Of this little thing or that little thing
pensions should not be granted.
Mr.. Reagan thought that he had a
right to express his views and repre-
sent his constituents on this floor with
out being subject to personal taunts.
The Constitution and laws and the par
TALLY Of his constituents had sent him
here, and he did not come to inquire
from the gentleman from Indiana (Mr.
/ Matson) whether or not he was priyi-
legged to debate or discuss any question.
The bill was then read by sections
for amendment.
Mr.. Warner, Of Ohio, offered an
amendment providing that this act
shall apply only to widows who were
married before its passage.
Mr.. Townshend. Of Illinois, offered
an amendment as q substitute for Mr..
Warmers amendment, providing that
when an invalid pensioner shall die his
widow or minor children shall be en-
titled to the original pension without
being required to prove that the death
of the pensiOner was due to his military
or naval service.
Mr.. Townshend thought the amend
ment was meritOrious and justiiable
from every standpoint. If soldier
who had unfortunately incurred disa-
bility in the service should die it was
nothing more than humane and just that
| the widow and children should be
/ furnished with means sufficient to keep
them out of the poor-house. He be-
lieved in liberal pensions not only to
! the soldiers of the late war, but to the
soldiers of every war in which the United
States had been engaged, and no better
use could be made of the surplus in the
Treasury than to pay it out in pensions
to soldiers.
Mr.. Cutcheon, Of Michigan, in speak
ing in support of the amendment, de-
MED the right Of the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Reagan to impugn the mo-
tive and integrity Of every gentleman
who voted for an increase Of pensions
to soldiers of the late war. For one,
he did not acknowledge the right, and
never would concede the propriety Of
the gentleman from Texas impugning
his motive when he voted to pension the
widows Of men who fell in the smoke
and carnage of battle. lie was not here
to be lectured by the gentleman, and
be would vote for any measure he wish
ed without asking the gentleman's per-
mission.
II hope the gentleman feels better
now, Mr.. Chairman" was Mr.. Reagan's
only reply.
Mr.. Townshend's amendment wasre-
jected by vote Of los to lis, and Mr..
Warmers by a vote Of los to l26.
Mr.. Milliken, Of Maine, in speaking
to the pro .forma amendment, advO.
Gated the repeal Of the limitation clause
of the arrears act, and likened the gen
tlemen. who, while favoring the repeal,
opposed repeal at this time, to old
Judge Stebbins, of Maine, who, while
in favor of prohibitory law, was OPP
posed to its enforcement.
On motion of Mr.. Sowden, Of Penn
sylvania, an amendment was adopted
making it misdemeanor for any person
to receive any money for the prose-
cutiOn of any claim arising under this
act.
Mr.. Browne, Of Indiana, then offered
his amendment repeating the limitation
on the arrears-of-pension act.
Mr. RooerS ~ Arkansas raiSed the