National Republican., 1888-02-28

Mr.. Dlbble, OF South Carolina, offered an
amendment setting aeide the third Tuesday
| In March, April, and May for business re-
ported by the committee on public build
ipge and grounds with provision that on
those days no dilatory motion shall be en-
tertained by the chair.
| Mr.. Rogers raised the point OF order
that the amendment was not germane; and
he stated he had not yielded the floor for
the purpose OF allowing the Offering OF
In view Of this statement, the Speaker
pro tenn. declined to entertain Mr.. Dlbble's
| amendment.
Mr.. Rogers then demanded the previous
question upon his resolution, but
as the friends Of public build.
demand, Mr.. Rogers withdrew his resolu-
tion rather than delay the business Of tho
house.
Mr.. Breckinridge, OF Arkansas, called
up the adverse report Of the committee on
manufactures upon the resolution direct
ing the Secretary Of the Treasury to insti-
tute an investigation into the New York
sugar trust.
Mr.. Milliken, of Maine, explained his
| position, and said that he had not intended
TO antagonIze the committee on mgnufac-
lures or trench upon the subject matter Of
the investigation to be made by that COM
mittee.
The resolution was laid upon the table.
| Mr.. Matson, of Indiana, from the con-
mittee on invalid pensions, reported ad-
| versely resolution reciting the zone hun-
dred day circular" issued by the commits
sioner Of pensions, aud directing the com
mittee to inquire whether such a circular
was issued, and II SO, whether any pension
| claims have bten rejected through non.
| compliance with the requisites contained
therein.
| Mr.. Matson stated that such circular
| had been issued, and that its effect had been
salutary. Many claims had been vigorously
prosecuted and allowed which otherwise
| would have remained unacted upon on ac-
count OF want Of evidence.
Mr.. Mason, OF Illinois, regarded the issu.
ing OF the circular as usurpation on the
| part OF tbe commissioner Of pensions. The
circular, in so many words, said to the
claimants that unless their claims were per-
fected within one hundred days they would
be dismissed. The commissioner had actu.
ally taken the place Of Congress, and had
enacted a statute Of limitations; and In Que
| department Of his office between 700 and
SEQ cases had been dismissed because the
| claimants had failed to perfect their evil
dence within one hundred days. 1t was
true that case could be reopened at any
time upon the filing Of additional proof,
but that fact should have been stated by
the commissioner In his circular letter.
Mr.. Matson said that the adverse report
was based on the ground chat the subject
was exhausted. If the resolution were
adopted nothing further could be learned.
The commissioner had stated that he did
issue the circular in cases pending for years
and In cases where repeated calls had been
made for evidence without response. He
had stated further that the effect of this
action had been to stimulate claimants SO
| that large number had been induced to
prosecute their claims. He (Mr. Matson)
did not think that the commissioner had
exceeded his authority. That official ad
wide discretion and was limited by very few
rules OF law In the adjudication Of pension
claims. The present administration OF the
pension Office had made very liberal rules,
| and their effect had been beneficial to the
soldiers of the country.
The resolution was tabled-yeas 1l0, nays
90.
Under the call of states bills and resolu-
tons were introduced, among them being
By Mr.. Baker, of Illinois, resolution
reciting the fact that commission of
distinguished persons appointed by the
government OF Venezuela has arrived In
New York for the purpose Of conveying
the mortal remains Of Gen. Jose Antonio
Paez to Venezuela. and authorizing the
Secretary Of the Navy, as a proper and
graceful act Of courtesy, to designate q
United States war vessel to convey the
commission and the remains of Gen. Paez
from New York to Venezuela.
By Mr.. Durham, OF ILLINOIS To perfect
the sanitary service of the United States.
BY Mr.. Long, of Massachusetts, lat request
of Home Market club Of Boston): To amend
the laws relating to duties on sugar and the
tax on tobacco and distilled spirits and to
reduce the surplus; also, for public build
ing at Taunton, Macs.
BY Mr.. Perkins, Uf Kansas: For the erec-
ton OF postoflice buildings In cities, towns,
and villages of 5000 Inhabitants; also, in
creasiDg the pensions OF persons whose dis
abilities are equivalent TO the loss of leg
| or ann.
By Mr. Breckinridge, Of Kentucky Dl-
rect the committee on printing to in.
quiring whether the pay Of employees in
the government printing office should not
be placed on the same basis as 1t was prior
to Jan. /, 1877.
Also. for tine better protection OF the lives
of fishermen engaged In the deep sea fish
cries.
BY Mr.. Miliken, of Maine Request
ing information as to the expectation of
sugars from the port of New YORK, and the
classification Of the same.
By Mr.. Buchanan, Of New Jersey !:
Granting pensions to persons disabled in
the llfetsaving service.
BY Mr.. Grain, of Texas: Joint resolution
pro posing amendments to the constitution
affecting the terms OF office Of the Presi-
resentatives.
that hereafter letters issued by the commits
sioner Of pensions and fixing time within
which pension proofs must be furnished
shall contain statement that no statute of
Limitation is applicable to pension claims.
The floor was then accorded to the COM
mittee on the District Of Columbia, and
bills were passed eXempting from the pro
visions Of the alien land law foreign lega
tion property in Washington, allowing the
commissioners of the District OF Columbia
to make contracts for three years. to incor-
porate reform school for girls, and incor-
porating the Eckington and Soldiers Home
Railroad Company.
road Company met with some opposition
on the ground that the purpose OF the
measure was less to have railway con-
structed than to cause boom In real es-
tate in the Woodley lane region.
No final action was taken.
Mr.. Wilson, OF West Virginia, offered the
following minute:
This being day set apart for the consdera-
tion of business relating to the District of CO.
lumbia, this Honse deems it not Inappropriate
to place on record a testimonial OF respect for
District Tie late ", W, Corcoran, who as a
munitcent patron OF art, science and many
public and private charities, both IN the ma.
tlonal capital aud in the country at large, has
left q memory that deserves to be gratefully
cherished, not only by residents Of the district
of Columbia but by the people of the country,
OF the kings of whose institutions he was
conspicuous illustration.
The Speakerpro tenn The present occu-
pant Of the chair has known the eminent
man who has been this afternoon buried for
nearly thirty years, and enjoyed his frlenl-
ship as jewel of great price, His urbauitY
his probity, and his large hearted benevo-
lenCe were exhibited In all departments Of
human art and enterprise. This proceed
ing would be fitting for any day OF our SEES
sion, but 1t is peculiarly fitting for day