The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-10-26

| II. H.
introduced by Mr.. Cummings. q Republican
| from Iowa, June 10 :sss and or motion OF Mr..
| Haskell. Republican from Kansas, the Com
| Inittee on Invalid Pensions was discharged
from Its further consideration, and it was taken
| up for action 1t passed the House by o vote OF
164 yeas 10 81 nays. Every Republican vote re-
corded is in its favor, and every vote against 1t
| is that OF Democrat. As party question the
/ record shows the Democrats to be against it
~ having voted forit and 81 against it. What
ever of credit or of blame. therefore, attaching
| to the Arrears act belongs to the Republicans.
In the Forty-eighth Congress, March 4, 1884,
| the House passed bill to pen-ion the surviv-
| ing soldiers Of the Mexican war and their wild
| ows by q vote OF -, TO Al. The Republican Sen.
ate amerded this bill by adding sections max
ing further provisions for disabled and depend
ent soldiers of the civil war-incrcasing the
pensions Of widows from 81 TO Il: per month
continuing pensions to children above sixteen
years OF age when they were helpless, prpvii-
ing that fathers and mothers should only be re-
quired to show present dependence instead OF
dependence ut the date OF the sons death.
Thirty-one Senators voted for these amend
ments, all Republicans and twenty-seven Sen
ators voted against them. all Democrats. On
the return OF the bill 10 the House it failed of
consideration by Democratic opposition. On q
motion to suspend the rules TO take up and
pass the bill, seventy five Republicans and fifty
two Democrats voted in the affirmative. and
eighty-four Democrats and one Repubh an in
the negative, the motion being lost because
two-third' were required to carry it.
In the Forty-ninth Congress the Mexican War
Service and the Dependent Soldiers bills were
passed separately to satisfy Democratic de
mands. The reason of this demand was soon
apparent The two bills were passed on the
same day, and President Cleveland promptly
signed the one and vetoed the other.
The Mexican Service Act pensioned all survi-
vors and their widows who were sixty-two
years of age: all who had any physical or men,
tai disability without reference TO age or origin
and even rebels who had borne arms against
the Nation. But poor Union soldiers, who by
reason of age, disease or accident had found
their way to the poor house, could have no re-
lief with Democratic consent. On the passage
OF this Dependent bill in the House. liz Repub-
licans and 63 Democrats voted for II. while the
rs votes against 1t were all Democratic. On
the attempt in the House to pass it on the
veto, 1S Republicans and SO Democrats voted
for it, ard l25 votes, all Democrats, were re-
corded against 1t; and 1t failed for want Of two
thirds
DEMOCRATS HOSTILE TO PENSION LEGISLATION
But the action, or rather the refusal, to act
upon the part OF the Democratic party in the
present Congress (F'iftieth) speaks more plain
ly than ever OF their determination to prevent
any lurtner lepISIat on III DeualI Oh the veterans
of the late war. The control OF the legislation
Of the House OF Representatives rests entirely
with the Committee on Rules tof which the
Speaker is chairman) when that committee is
sustained by the party having control OF the
organization OF the House. They fix days for
the consideration of bills reported from the
several committees, and no legislation can
be considered In any other way or at
any other time except on suspension
a Fact ax,1 hir1 -
each month or by the unanimous consent OF all
the members present. The Speaker decides
absolutely and without any restriction what
measures may be considered upon suspension
days, as he can recognize or refuse to recognize
any member who moves to take up any meas
ure. Under the rules on suspension days de-
bate on bill is limited and q two-thirds vote
is required to pass it. The Committee on Rules
has so far this session refused to support res
olution fixing a time for the consideration OF
bills reported by the Committee on Invalid PEN
sions
Early in April resolution was introduced in
the House and referred to the Committee on
Rules, setting apart two days to be devoted ex
clusively to the consideration of such pension
bills as that committee might determine to
bring before the House Repeated appeals
have been made to that committee to report
that resolution to the House SO that
n vote could be taken upon it. a petition
signed by one hundred and forty members
was presented to them asking for favorable
report upon, that resolution. By uuani-
nous vote the Republicans in their caucus
requested this committee to assign n reasona-
BILE time to the Committee on Invalid Pensions
for the consideration OF such bill reported by
them as they might choose to present For
five months the Committee on Invalid Pensions
has been actively and industrously engaged in
considering and perfecting measures for the re-
lief OF the surviving soldiers Of the war Of the
rebellion aud their widows and orphans. More
general bills have been referred TO them than
to any other committee in the House. More
than one hundred and fifty bills of q general
character nave been presented for their consid-
Grafton. After weeks OF careful examinations
OF the different measures the committee have
reported twelve bills, and with but two keep
tons the rcports have been up on the unani-
nous vote Of the committee. and the most OF
them would doubtless receive favorable con-
sideration in the House il it were allowed to
vote upon them. With but a single exception
the amount OF money required to carry out their
prov sions would be small, and the objects
sought TO be obtained are demanded by every
principle Of justice and equity.
MEASURES BEFORE THH HOUSE
The bill to increase the rate OF pension to the
deaf simply gives to this unfortunate class.
who are doomed to eternal silence who are shut
OUT lrOm Ill tnc more important VOcutiOnS OF
life, who are deprived Of the priceless privilege
Of communing with their loved ones in the Or
binary way who can never enjoy the sweet mu
sic sur ounding them. or listen to the innocent
pratt.e OF their little ones. pension common
surate with their disability. and affords relief
that ought long since to have been granted
them.
The measure for the relief of the exprisoners
Of war does but scant and tardy justice to that
heroic band of brave men, who underwent
greater privations and endured more terrible
sunerinRs than any other class OF their COM
rades. They we're animated by spirit of de-
voted loyalty to their country in every vicissi-
tude. and grandly chose lingering death by
starvation rather than renounce their allegiance
TO the old flag.
Another bill proposes to increase the PEN
sions of that very small but sadly afflicted
class. numbering but a score, and SO soon to
pass that bourne where the conflict Of arms is
never heard-the old veterans who lost both
arms in the defense Of their country.
Another provides for bereaved fathers and
mothers who are now dependent but were not
dependent when the son died, and for depend
ent widows Of soldiers even in cases where the
husbands death can not be technically traced
to wounds or disease contracted in army SER
vice.
Another me sure proposes to abolish the un-
Just discrimination which exists in the present
law, by which portion or the totally helpless
now receive but s5s per month while others, no
more unfortunate, receive e., giving them all
the same rating
The measure which has as much merit as any,
and one demanding the most urgent action. pro-
vides for the large and increasing class Of our
countrys sturdy defenders who, as old age
comes creeping upon them, find themselves no
longer able to provide the necessary means Of
subsistence and are compelled to seek refuge in
the inhospitable alms-houses and other chart
table institutions OF the country, or accept q
support from the hands of relatives and friends.
sometimes sorely burdened to provide for their
own necessities.
The most important bill reported from the