The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-06-23
FORTY.NINTH CONGRESS.
PENSIONS AND THE TARIFF DIS
4 CUSSED IN THE HOUSE.
A Lengthy Debate without Practical
Notwithstanding In
the Senate.

The Speaker lald oeiofe Tue MOUSE
nine messages from the Pfesl-
dent announcing his disappro-
val of a ike number of pri-
yate pension bills, and they were re-
ferred to the Committee on Invalid
Pensions. Several of the Presidents
l terse sentences and ironical sugges.
lions were greeted with app Ause and
laughter.
On motion OF Ny. Scott Pal,
Senate bill was passed granting the
right Of way to railroad companies
through the Indian reservation in
Northern Montana.
Mr.. Matson Ind. J, from the Com
mittee on invalid Pensions, reported
back the resolution calling on the
Secretary OF the Interior for informa'
ton as to the number OF persons now
drawing or ginsl pensions from the
government by reason OF special pen.
SIGN acts, and as to the amount OF
money required annually to meet the
obligations incurred by the govern
ment to this class of pensioners.
| Adopted.
In advocating the proposition, Mr..
Morrison argued that its adoption
was absolutely necessary, unless Con-
gress was prepared to grant pensions
and leave the government without
the means TO pay them. He referred
to the immense sums paid out for
pensions sines the war, and the large
amounts necessary for present and
future requirements, and said that the
gentleman from New York Mr.. His
sides of the House had predicted that
for the next fiscal year there would
be a deficit of 81, 100000. For him
self, he thought there would be sur
plus, but certainly no surplus to COM
pare with the large number OF pen
sions asked. II his or the gentlemen,s
predictions should prove true, and all
these general penfion bills should
pass, there would be no money to
meet the first years payment. He
thought that, as a principle in these
times of reckless appropriations he
meant other appropriations than
pension appIOpriatiOns") it would
be safe 10 incorporate in every bill
making new appropriation OF any
great sum tax hill, and thus provide
q means for meeting the expenditure
He though that it would add to the
frugality OF; administration.
Mr.. Reed MOL expressed surprise
that his lu',e was proposed to be con-
fined to pc nsions alone. There was
not practit al man in the House who
did not know that the proposed rule
would be ap, llied to fasten upon every
pension bill some method of taxation
which would prove obnoxious to men
who might b DESTROYS of voting the
pension mess ures. Why was this in
Widows dist motion made? The
purpose was made 10 saddle on pen
sion bills legisl lstion which would re-
suit in the de feat OF the bile them
selves. He, 70 one, was not willing
to enter on uch invidous course
as proposed b, the gentleman from
III lois.
Mr.. Hiscock egarded the proposed
rule as more tina N an attempt to make
an individual d istinction against pen
sion bills. 1t WI 's ar attempt on the
part of the gent emsn from Illinois to
avoid the respon sibility OF the defeat
of one pension lt 'gislstion by a direct
vote. When penn son bills were report
I'D here and the gentleman desired
.A.st he and his fir lends should escape
me responsibility OF a direct vote
against the bi Is, | re would move, an
amendment levin g tax, and the re-
suit would be that the whole system,
either OF internal Il Ixstion or OF Gus
Soms taxation, wou Id be forced into
|hhe House and a q endless debate
would ensue. The result would De
that all pension legi station would be
dele ted and gentlel men who opposed
snch legislation wou Id avoid the re-
lspopsibflity of votin directly against
it. Mr.. Hiscock tn en- went on 10
quote from the D. 'moeratlc plat,
firm which, he said, lad been framed
bv Mr.. Morrison in l. lvor OF dedlca,
ting the internal reveI lne to the reliei
hof persons disabled in the line OF duty
I'm the wars Of the Re public, and in
payment. OF such pensi oDs as Congress
smay from time to time grant to the
eoldiers. One hundre and fifteen
million dollars had been received from
internal tsxes, and the l pledge, oil the
Democracy was that this hundred cad
fifteen millions should b'' devoted to
HE support Of al soldie Is Yet, in
The first Congress since be adoption
of that platform the came d lstlngulshed
gentleman who reported Il le plank IN
the platform, was found ga. Ving to the
soldiers: 1--WE have not mon ey enough
10 paw your pensions and to carry out
our pledges; we repudiate the opnea-
ton that war taxes shall be d'eVoteo u
this holy purpose" ua;,o
a full measure of patriotism IN tins
connection, aud he claimed for mis- side
like spirit in every particular, both
individually aud collectively. 30 TAR
as he knew there was no lHntle-
4 man on the floor who was not
ready TO do entire justice 10 tn 9 SOL
der. Some might differ as to the
me bod or the extent to which 'Con-
press might go; none would diffe on
7 the proposition that if Congress dld
lRrant pensions it honestly ought 50
Aprovide the money to pay them. oe
1probable revenue and the amount u
Appropriations approached equality"
The pension list already required $SO,-
000,00l, aud this proposition merely
said that If Congress added to that
H $S0, 1900 it sho1id at the same time
provide way OF payment. That was
/ the manly, the courageous way to DO
it. Let not the Holse petifog about
this matter or venture in the least
Rupon the realms Of demagoguery.
Where had heea enough Of this here
4ofore, and now let the Houie cay de.
Iberately that when it voted pensions
would also vote taxation 10 meet
Ghem.
Mr.. Mckinley [O.l thought that
.ithe proposition meant anything It
meant that the government had not
revenue eLough now to pay the pen.
sion OF deserving soldiers. II it meant
anything it was q confession before
the House and the country that the
revenues we've inadequate 70 meet the
inst demands of the soldiers OF the rs-
public. If it meant that, then the
conduct OF certain members OF this
House was quite nnexplainsble. With
In the last ten days an effort had been
made on the part Of the majority OF