Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-04-21
THE HOUSE GALLERY.
Hot Speech by Henderson
on Pension Bills.
CORY GARMENTS GAIN GROUND.
The Union Pacific Indebtedness
Array of Items From the
Departments.


Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD
WASHINGTON, April 90 In the
House to-day, Henderson of Iowa, al
luded to the action of the House re-
garding the purchase OF bonds with
the surplus, in order to dispel any
doubts in the mind of the President as
to his authority to purchase the bonds.
In examining the arrears of the pen
sion act, it would be found there was
no limitation as to the time when
claims would be filed. the only llmita-
tion ever placed upon that act was
found in an appropriation bill. He
called the attention of the administra-
tion to this fact, for if the President
had trouble in buying bonds with the
surplus, he should have equal diff
Gully in not allowing the arrears OF
pensions. He appealed to the Presi-
dent to be consistent and allow
the arrears of the pensions
to those who had filed claims
within the provisions OF this
act
Henderson then referred to the ad-
ministration of the Mexican War pen
sion law. So rapid was the Pension
Bureau, ne said, in recognizing the
claims under this law, that pensions
were allowed to a claimant before he
put in his claim, and certificates were
issued when the beneficiary
DID NOT KNOW
He was claimant. In proof OF this
assertion he sent to the Clerks desk
and had read an article in a Chicago
paper to the effect that Commissioner
Black has issued pension certificate
to Ex-Congressman Morrison, not
withstanding he was informed that
Morrison's name did not appear on
the list OF applicants, and that Nor
rison had returned it, stating that he
had never applied for a pension.
Outhwaite asked Henderson to
prove another similar case, saying he
was anxious that Henderson should
keep to the truth.
Henderson replied: l want the
truth from your pious Commissioner
who started out in the administration
OF his Office by charging against a
faithful brother officer who left part of
his body on the battlefield (Col. Dud-
ley), that during his administration
the pension office, from turret to
foundation, was used for political pur-
poses.
Outhwaite-Did he not prove it?
Henderson-No; never. Now that
the same gentlemen stands convicted
on Democratic authority OF violating
his terms of law and swiftly issuing a
certificate to Democratic chief, who
was too high and too clean to become
party to the transaction; this man
who entered upon the discharge of his
duties with
HEAvEN-ERECTED FACE
Like saint is caught in the Demo-
cratic trap. He has got lower down in
struggling for political influence than
any officer l have ever known.
When the general debate closed
amendments we're adopted, provid
ing that in all cases of pensions to
widows, payments shall be made from
the date OF the death of their hus-
bands, and that all officers of the
United States authorized to admin
lister the oath shall do so free Of
charge.
The committee then rose, and the
Pension bill, which appropriates $780,
200,000, was passed.
The River and Harbor bill was
briefly discussed, and the House took
a recess until 7 80 O'Clock this even
ing.
The House at this evenings session
passed twenty-five pension bills and
then adjourned until tomorrow.