St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-04-21
PENSION APPROPRIATION.
After Considerable Discussion the
+ House Passes the Pension, Bill. ~

House Passes the EenS1on~ Bill. -
WASHINGTON April 20.-In the house
to-day the pension appropriation bid
was discussed in committee OF the
whole. Mr.. Henderson, of Iowa, in
speaking to the bill, alluded to the re-
cent action of the house in regard to the
purchase of bonds with the surplus in
order to dispel the doubts in the mind
of the president as to his authority to
purchase bonds, such authority having
been conferred in an appropriation bill.
In examining the arrears OF pension it
would be found that there was no limi-
tation as to the time when claims should
be filed. The only limitation ever
placed upon that act was found in an
appropriation bill. He felt it to be his
duty to call the attention OF the admin
istration to this fact, for if the president
had trouble in buying bonds with the
surplus, he should have equal duty in
now allowing arrears i'll pensions. Ii
the president could not without an eX-
preston of opinion from the house go
into the market and buy bonds, he had
no right. if he was logical and consist
ent. to withhold arrearages of pensions.
He appealed to the president to be con-
sistent and come up like a little man
and allow arrears OF pensions to the
bows who filed their claims within the
provisions of the act. That should not
be done until
A DECLARATORY ACT
was passed saying that he must be
governed by the provision of the APP
preparation bill. He controyerted the
claim that soldiers were getting better
recognition from Democratic admins
-tration than they had from Republican
administrations, and he cited statistics
that show that when the number of
claims filed were compared with the
number of certificates allowed the
record of the Republican party and its
administrations stood unchallenged for
acting in the interest of the soldier. He
then referred to the administration OF
the Mexican pension law by the pension
office. So rapid was the pension bureau,
he said, in recognizing claims under
this law, that pensions were allowed be-
fore the claimant ever put in his claim,
and certificates were issued when the
beneficiary did not know he was a
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 had issued
pension certificate to eX-COngressman
Col W. r. Morrison, Notwithstanding
that he was Informed that Mr.. Morri
sons name did not appear Oh the list of
applicants, and that Col. Morrison had
returned it, stating that he had never
applied for pension.
Mr.. Macdonald, of Minnesota-Would
Mr.. Morrison have refused it il he had
been Republican?
Mr.. Henderson, do not know how
that might be, but this | do know
That Col. Morrison Reyer asked for a
certificate, and if M friend were as
sensitive about the administration of
the pension Office as he is eager to be
smart he would give attention to the
matter before the house.
Mr.. MacDOnald-I am smart enough
to say that it is not true.
MI. HenderOn L am smart enough to
say that it is not true, and | ask the
clerk to read the copy OF the letter from
Col. Morrison.
The letter was from Col Morrison to
to the Chicago pension agent, returning
the certificate of pension, and stating
that he was at loss to know how it had
been issued, as he had taken no steps to
obtain it, and did not contemplate taking
any steps.
Mr.. Outhwaite, of Ohio-YOu said
that pension certificates were issued.
You used the plural VIII you prove
another one? am anxious You should
keep to the truth.
Mr.. Henderson, want the truth from
your pious commissioner, who started
out ia the administration OF his Office by
charging against faithful officer. a
brother officer who left part of his
bopy ON the battlefield Col. Dudley,
that during his administration the pen
sion office from turret to foundation
was used for political purposes.
Mr. OuthWaite-Did he not prove it?
Mr.. Henderson-No, never. Now
that same gentleman stands convicted
on Democratic authority of violating
the law and swiftly issuing certificate