The National tribune., 1888-08-09
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE WASHINGTON c. THURSDAY AUGUST 1885,

Army, and that the President had nothing
whatever to do with it but to sign the order
when presented to him by the Secretary of
War. Mr.. Mckinney also took up the charge
made of the President appointing rebel Briga-
diers to Office, and he defended the President
by saying that these men had been restored to
citizenship and were asnach entitled to recog-
milton as any other citizen of .he country. The
Union now reaches from ocean to ocean, from
Canada to the Gulf, and there was no such
name as rebel in this country.
In concluding Mr. Mckinney said more pen
sions were now being granted, more soldiers
given offices and more money was being dis
tributed to the needy, than ever before in the
history of the Government and this by Demo
cratic Administration.
Gen. Cutcheou (Mich.) responded with great
vigor to Mckinney. He traced the history
of pension legislation with relation to the
two political parties. Down to March A.
1874, it was admitted that pension bills were
put through by the Republicans because the
Democrats were not in power in either branch
of Congress. Taking up the important pension
bills since he showed the party vote in each as
follows Repeal Of arrears of limitation, 18th
Congress- Democrats for 4S, Democrats against
| 81 Republicans for 49, Republicans against
none. Mexican pension bill with Senate
amendments, 4Sth Congress, first session, Demo
Gratis for 80, against Sd Republicans for 81,
against none. Mexican pension bill with Senate
amendments, 4Sth Congress, second session,
Democrats for 81 against S4 Republicans for
y, against l. Widows increase bill, 49th Con-
gress, Democrats for so, against Sc; Republi-
cans for 49, against none. Dependent pension
bill (the Grand Army billy, 49th Congress,
Democrats for sc, against 76; Republicans for
la, against none. The vote to pass the same
bill over the Presidents veto requiring two
thirds was Democrats for 81, against 1875; Re-
| publicans for 1873, against none.
Continuing Gen. Cutebeon pointed out that
not one of these bills could have passed upon
! the Democratic vote.
| Taking up tho increase in issue of pension
| certificates in the last three years as shown by
! Col. Matson and ar Mckinney, Gen. Cutcheon
| showed that most of this excess was due merely
| to the mechanical withdrawing of one certif-
| cate and the issue of another to conform to new
ratings established by the new legislation
known as the widows increase bill, the ampu-
/ taton bill and the widows arrears act.
| Gen. CutcheOn then took up the veto ques-
! ton. He showed that Grant, Hayes and Ar
thur had disapproved but one pension bill in
! 538, while Cleveland disapproved almost one
I in three. He had vetoed III and allowed 157
to become laws without signature. 1t was
! claimed that he had also signed more than any
other President; but that was nothing to his
credit. He had nothing to do with the num-
| Der Of bills Congress might pass and send to
him. All that indicated anything was the pro-
/ portion he approved. His unfriendly feeling
for the Union soldier was shown in the lam
! guage OF his yetoes.
! The debate closed with an allusion to the
| rebel flag incident, and the consideration Of the
| items Of the deficiency bill was resumed.
FRIDAY, AUG. 3.
In the Senate the time was occupied by the
discussion of the fisheries treaty, Mr. Teller
| (Colo.) consuming most of the time in an able
argument against the treaty. At 5:25 o'clock
| the Senate adjourned until Monday, Aug. 6.
/ In the House, after the consideration of sew
eral bills of private nature, the order of bust
ness, the general deficiency appropriation bill
| was taken up, and consumed the entire days
session. A recess was taken until o'clock.
The evening session was entirely de-
voted to the consideration of private bills un-
ill 1890 o'clock, when the House adjourned IN.
I'll Monday, Aug. g.
MONDAY, AUG. 6.
Both Houses Of Congress remained in session
but short time owing to the fact Of the death
of Gen. Sheridan. Remarks of eulogistic
character were made in both Houses, and
resolutions Of confidence were passed, and out
of respect to the memory Of the distinguished
General of the Army beth Houses adjourned
shortly after l o'clock.