The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-20
THE HOUSE.

Little Spat Over the Bill for the Retire.
ment of Col. Henry j. Hunt.
WASHINGTON March I9.-In the absence of
the Speaker, Mr.. Crisp. of Georgia, was designa-
ted to preside over the proceedings of the House.
Leave was granted to Mr. Hammond, of
Georgia, to file the views of the minority Of the
committee on judiciary on the bankruptcy bill
After number of bills of private character
had been reported from committees the House
went into committee Of the whole-Mr. Hatch,
of Missouri, in the chair-on the private calen-
dar
The only bill which gave rise to any discus
ion was one to change the rank Of an officer on
the retired list of the army. The bill authorizes
the President to select from the colonies on the
retired list an officer who served as chief of ar
tired list with the rank of major-general The
bill is intended to apply to Col Henry j. Hunt.
It met with good deal of opposition, princi-
pally from the Republican side, Mr.. Price. of
Wisconsin, and Mr.. Peters, of Kansas, objecting
to it as class legislation, and Mr.. Reed, of
Maine. placing his opposition on constitutional
grounds-as being an infringement by Congress
of executive functions.
Mr.. Laird, of Nebraska, made the strongest
speech in its 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. He sarcastically
praised the opinion and judgment of the gentle
man from Kansas Mr.. Petersl, and slightingly
Mr.. Reed had been in the lwar, saying that some
people would not be SO stout, and round, and
sleek, and mighty, physically, if they had under
gone some of the vicissitudes of the war in which
General Hunt had participated.
Pending action the committee rose and half q
dozen private bills were passed.
On motion Of Mr. Clardy. of Missouri. reso-
luton was adopted setting apart April 10 for the
consideration of bills reported from the commit
tee on commerce, authorizing the construction
of bridges, the establishment of lighthouses,
and bills relating to the life-saving service. It
is understood that the Arthur-kill bridge will
not be brought up that day.
The House then took recess until 1880, the
evening session to be devoted to the considera
ton Of private pension bills
At the evening session the House passed thirty
pension bills. The last bill to be considered was
tina. granting pension of 81, 600 year to the
widow of Gen. w. S. Hancock.
Mr.. Bingham, of Pennsylvania, eloquently
supported the bill, and quoted as presidents the
cases of the widows Of Admiral Farragus and
General Thomas.
Mr.. Price, Of Wisconsin, opposed the bill,
and stated that it must be considered in full
house. He knew that the country had paid Cen
eral Hancock--brilliant, brave. generous in all
his proportions-the sum Of 1852, 600 during the
last twenty years.
HE helped save your country" suggested Mr..
Mr.. Price-"And there are hundreds and
thousands as good as he, who helped save the
country and are starving" Continuing, he said
that the practice of granting large pensions to
widows of men who had been receiving big sala-
ries, and who died poor, was destructive of
American manhood. The influence was to make
men live up the last dollar of their salaries in
pomp, and extravaganza and champagne. 1t
shook every principle Of justice. and created a
privileged class.
Mr.. Bingham regretted the necessity of taking
the bill before the House in full session. He
thought it would be such graceful act such
generous act, to pass the bill He felt that the
gentleman's own constituents would applaud
him for being party to it.
On the question of passing the bill, the vote
stood 25 to 4-the negatives being Messrs
Price, Zach Taylor, Johnston of Indiana. and
Winans.
Mr.. Price then raised the question Of no
quorum. The previous question was. however,
ordered on the bill. and it goes over until Mon
day
The House then, at 1925 A. NJ. adjourned I'M
til tomorrow.