The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-07-29
TIE 18TH CONGRESS.
A Significant Debate Between Con-
gfeSSmen Cannon and Breckenridge.

ings were enlivened by a tilt between Breck- I
inridge, of Kentucky, and Cannon, of Illinois, /
in the course Of which the Kentucky gentle
man manifested great trepidation lest the mem /
Der from Illinois should have the temerity to |
criticize the Presidential vetOes. The case |
under consideration was bill to pension Gen. /
Benjamin Il. Kelley, Of West Virginia who was |
wounded at the battle of Philippi, the first |
sl1irmish OF the war, and who is now clerk in
the Pension Office.
Mr.. Breckenridge made speech In advocacy
Of the bill, and incidentally predicted that
eventually all soldiers, both Union and Confed-
crate, would be put on the same footing and
pensioned alike.
Mr.. Cannon. in the course Of the debate. re-
marked:
There is n class Of men throughout the length
and breadth of this country who think deserve
our consideration, men who served their country in
the field. and who, now thai age is coming ON, ma
themselves disabled either by wounds or by dis
ease contracted in the war, and who are not upon
the pension roll-oannot be under existing law
men who send their petitions and prayers TO this
Congress asking for legislation which will give
them, weak. disabled, and poverty-strickeB as they
are some slight assistance for their support. IL
was Of this class that thought while the gentle
man talking so eloquenty about this case.
which have no doubt is as worthy case as he says
II Is; aud certainly have II not IN my heart TO vote
against the bill after 1t has passed the Senate. has
been favoraby reported upon here. and Is SO elo-
| quently advocated This is the case of one claim
ant, while they number mahy thousands.
did not rise 10 oppose this bill; but i did wish,
while the gentleman was presenting this case so
strongly, that II were possible TO call up AS mat
ter Of privilege a case which was not and am not
now familiar with. except as gathered the circum-
stances the other day from a message Of the Chief
Executive Of the country. The case. i under
stand il, was something like this. and the gentle
man from Kansas Mr. Morrill,, who believe
made the report. will correct me IL nlsstate 1t:
man in the primo OF early manhood entered
| the army and served his country well. After %
months of service he was discharged on account OF
disease Of the hear-vavular disease OF the heart
believe il is called in the message OF the Executive.
| lie was a sound man when he entered the service,
but when discharged was unable TO work. Pow
| erty-stricken. with family dependent upon him,
he was thrown out of his home, and went off alone
TO hunt some shelter for himself and his wife and
/ small children. lie was never again seen alive;
but six months aflerward his skeleton was found in
byway. il did occur 10 me that in such case as
this humanity would justify the presumption that
the man died from valvular disease OF the heart
contracted in the military service. But the Pres-
dent thought Otherwise. and returned the bill here
with his veto although the pension proposed 20 be
granted 10 his widow was. believe, only sl2
month.
After some interruptions TO the effect that he
was not speaking to the question under consid-
Grafton. Mr. Cannon resumed
| did wish when / heard the gentleman from
| Kentucky that he had heretofore. or would now,
| or will hereafter rise in his place and help two
| thirds of the Members Of the House on both sides
10 consider and pass that bill and give that widow
4 a pension Of Sl2 a month.
One step further There Is In every neghbor-
| hood throughout the length and breadth Of the
Nor1hland and IN the Border States and in many Of
the Southern States men who served their country
/ well ia the late war who cannot make the techni-
cal proof under the law 10 entitle them TO upon
the pension rolls. but who are disabled and de-
pendent upon their labor for support, men who are
standing advertisements TO all their fellows who
were in the army and out of the army that justice
Is not being done 10 them. They have knocked at
the doors Of Congress year after year.
The Senate has passed bill TO pension them
months ago. oh, wish the gentleman from Ken
lucky. with that eloquent voice Of his and with hs
magnetic power, would advocate even handed JUS
tice TO this class OF people and help the men on
that side of the House and this side Of the House
10 give not 500 month. but IS or 81 n month 10
these worthy men. men who entered the army not
as ofiicers-and have nothing 10 say against the
officers for God knows you cannot have an army
| without officers. and you want able men-Inen who
| did not occupy important positions. yet who
made part and parcel OF that magnificent army 70
which the gentleman and all Of us owe a debt OF
gratitude which cannot be paid. tApplause.
only want 10 say to the gentleman from Ken
aas tes = some , lsnd hs
or elsewhere 80 years old aud give him 500
month, and with the eloquent speeches and high
sounding phrases may feel our duty Is done,
when there are thousands OF humble men who had
the sentiment Of patriotism In their hearts and
who offered all they had and could give
more in the defense OF the flag OF their country
there IL some danger. say, these men may not
receive eyenhanded Justice and the pittance which
the country demands and the Senate has given and
now awaits the action OF this House.
I beg the gentleman from Kentucky. no. for po-
: lilical effect-gentlemen will bear out i have
borne myself nodesily touching these matters but
: beg for my constituents, and the constituents Of
all, that these men. before this Congress shall
adjourn shall have this general bill passed for their
relief feel called upon 20 say that not by way OF
criticism. not TO find fault but 20 give warning that
] we do not set up two as beacons,
and ia the light Of those let the humble men
81 the country who deserve well Of the Republic 20
0 without the simple mite which Is due them from
T the Treasury Of the country they helped TO save.
Il lGreat applause.
4 Mr.. Breckenridge retorted insinuating that
i Mr.. Cannon was guilty Of demagogy to catch
4 the soldier vote. This imputation put the
d Illinois Member on his mettle and he said:
d Just a single word ia response
/ must confess 20 very great surprise nj the re-
marks just made by the gentleman from Kentucky
IL was not in my heart TO criticize him personally
Is 10 aniagonize this case; and notwithstanding
n the statement he makes that my remarks sayorec
OF demagogy and were made for selfish purpose
a mus say 70 nun aha 70 the conHiiitee am no
aware that there has been anything la my servlct
e In this House that would lay open 10 that In
Al situation or imputaiion.
Y ] certainly did not in my remarks seek to array
- prejudice against this measure nor against thoss
n who held position In the army On the contrary.
a ais, lie Captains. its officers
D. certainly would no; detract anything from an,
Of them. simply aimed TO say, and thought die
IN say that In representing my consiituency-ant
~ here all the country are my constituency wei
D. the constituents Of every other Member Of Con
so gress-tlat believed justice not being done q
A. great many soldiers OF this land not 20 the rat
ofpension they were getting but as 10 the fact tina
they were getting no pension al all. no matter how
a. much entitled 10 H. My remark In good faith
y state II again. repeating what said; aud having
he stated this much. IL my remarks lay me open 4
"a the accusation Of demasogy then am glad To b
"A dcmagog, and shall so continue one Of the chic
Of demagogs to the end 81 my service in thi
" Congress until by apt and proper general legis
- laii0n justice il done 10 these men. Applause.
> Mr.. Breckenridge. Of Kentucky. have but thi
u 20 say So far my observation Of the gentleman
al service la tie House was concerned IL was sue
ms that his speech filed me with surprise. / mad
n, that statement and repeat IL; his speech filed IN
Ia | with surprise. We were engaged Ia case withou
"a a single criticism that entered the domain of pan
50 tisan warfare and without any excuse that coul
see the gentleman made sneering partisan speeci
ly MIR. Cannon. You cannot afford 10 make "A rt
nj, mark OF that kind aud do such Justice TO
ts vent reply. ddnot mention party. did not II
70 tinate that there party in the question. On til
or, contrary. was speaking Of these men without r,
be gard 10 party. Many Of them Democrats but al
without reference 10 party. who performed the
duty and are disabled and dependent on their labo
are entitled 10 relief.
MT Mr. Breckenridge, Of Kentucky. The gentlema
80, made "A distinct assault upon the President and
- violent assault upon the majority Of this House.
Mr.. Cannon. Ola. II Il IS crime to criticize an
OF condemn the vetoes Of the President. then al
en- guilty Of fragrant crime. for feel like assautiT
.ty them now and to bhe end.
on After some further discussion BIZ other Men
ID bcrs the bill was agreed TO in Committee Of n
De- Whole with the understanding that they repO
ter 20 the House for vote next Friday.
.is. An UnhhpPy Lady.
"a London TUih.l
decidedly comic incident which migl
however have had n more serious terminate
occurred in the conservatory at the botanic