The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-05-10
THE DISABILITY BILL.

The status of the Disability Bill framed
by the GAR. National Pension Committee
and Endorsed by the National Encampment
is this:
l. 1t was introduced in the House and
Senate at the opening of the session, but
nothing was done in the House for months.
Meanwhile twas passed by the Senate, with
some few changes that did not affect its gen
eral character.
| 2. Itwas sent to the House of Representa-
tiyes, and there referred to the Committee
on Invalid Pensions-CoL c. c. Matson,
1 Chairman.
3. After sleeping there some weeks, Col.
Matson reported it to the House with
amendments which almost destroy it, and
which reduce the benefits and relief afforded
by it to an absurdly low grade
4. The minority of the committee made
report strongly adverse to that of the ma
jority, and which urged the passage of the
bin substantially as it came from the Senate.
5. The amended bill " has been placed on
The calendar, where it viii remain until it
is reached in regular order-which means
i practically never-or until the Chairman Of
the Committee on Invalid Pensions takes
the proper steps to secure its consideration.
He has three ways of doing this The first
and best way is to secure a day for the con-
sideration of general pension bills When
this date IS reached he may call up the bill,
when it viii be open for debate and amend
ment The time usually allotted for this
purpose is either one or two hours for each
side for each bill considered, but an extern
sion may be secured.
The second way is to wait until the COM
nlittee is called in regular order TO bring for
ward anything at its option that it may have
on the calendar. This course is not practi-
cable at this late date in the session, for the
reason that under the present arrangement
the discussion Of the tariff bill viii probably
consume the next six weeks, after which the
appropriation bills, which are privileged,
and which must be considered and passed
before June 3O-the end of the fiscal year
viii be brought forward.
The third way, and most Objectionable OF
all, is for Col Matson to secure recognition
by the Speaker, and put the bill upon its
passage under a suspension Of the rules
This method wiz preclude all debate and
amendment, and force a vote upon the prop
osition just as Col AIatson chooses to present
it. Unless he decides to greatly modify his
amendments on the lines laid down by
the GAR. National Pension Committee and
The NATIoYAL TRIBUNE Pension BIZ, his
bin win be exceedingly unsatisfactory and
disappointing
What the veterans have the right to ex-
pect Of him is that he viii adopt the first
course that we have mentioned; that is, ask
and secure from the House the earliest date
possible for the consideration Of general pen
sion legislation, and allow free debate and
full amendment. Then, if he adheres to his
mangling amendments, the friends of vet
Grams in the House will have an opportunity
to substitute the bill as recommended by the
National Pension Committee and THE Ma
TIoEAL TRIBUNE Pension Bill.
We appeal to bis sense of fairness, and tc
the respect that is due the GAR. as a body,
! to do this.
Let US hare a free deJ1ie. and a fir rote, a
an early dag,
: OUR FAITH N COL. MATsoN.
Last week We said that we still had faith
+ Col. Matson.
We affirmed that this was in spite Of hii
' having wasted five precious months withou
: an effort to secure any general pension Iegis
lation
= 1t was in spite Of his having treated viii
silent contempt all those months the urgen
+ wishes Of the GAR, expressed through th
National Pension Committee, their Nationa
Il Encampment and by an Overwhelming
. popular vote
lie 1t was in spite Of his having, at the en-
Of all the weary pr0crastuatioD. presente
a measure in the shape Of amendments {
the GAR Disability Bill, which took a
= the heart ont or il, and Knocked the veteran
v aud their dependent ones with the shade,
Of the relief to which they are just
entitled
Itwas ia spite Of his having introduce
d this new and uuc0nsidered measure at ia
~ late date, when It's introduction may delc.
5a all pension legislation.
lv We said then that we believed that Co
ed Mstson would, upon more deliberate col
Z sideration Of all the circumstances, see tn
ief the only way to secure any general Iegisl
Of ton at this session for the veterans, wou
&C. be to abandon his managing amendment
he present the bill 10 the House in substa