Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-03-31
He Issues Instructions to the Civil Ser
vice Commission Concerning Recent
Legislation.
Tho House Passes the Logan and Blair
Pension Bills Against Considerable
Democratic Opposition.
Reciprocal Relations with Mexico and
South America - Continuation
OF the Womans Con-
sress.
WAsHINGroS, March 80.
House.

On motion OF Mr. McCreary, the Senate
amendments were non-concurred in to the
House bill authorizing the President to ar
range a conference for the purpose of ell
couragng reciprocal commercial relations
between the United States and the republics
OF Mexico, Central and South America and
the Empire of Brazil.
Mr.. Russell of Massachusetts, asked con-
sent to report from the committee on foreign
affairs for the immediate consideration
of the House, the joint resolu-
ton appropriatiug S25 900 to en-
able the United States to participate in the
international exhibition to be held at BARGE
Iona, Spain, in April, 1888.
Mr.. Allen of Mississippi, objected.
Mr.. Allen subsequently Withdrew his OBJ
lection, and the joint resolution passed.
The bill granting pension of 81 900 a
year to Mrs. Logan was discussed at length
Speeches opposing the bill AS class iegsla-
tion and unjust to the widows of other Off
GERS were made by Mr. Taulter of Kentucky
Mr.. Marsney of Michigan, Mr.. Enloe of
Tennessee, Mr.. Hatch of Missouri and
others. Addresses in its favor and also in
favor of raising to So 200 the pension of Gen.
Blair's widow were made by Messrs. Gal
lnger of New Hampshire, Warner of Mis-
souri,, Cannon of Illinois, Clardy of Mis-
souri, Mason of Illons, Springer of IlliDos,
Henderson of Illinois, Mcdonald of Mime
sofa, Tarid of Nebraska and Dockery of
Missouri.
Mr. Mason of Illinois said that Mrs. Logan
was an ideal American. She had been at
Belmont and Shiloh, not only for her hus-
bands saxe but for the sake of the sufferers
in the hospital Days, nights, weeks and
months, without compensation, she stood be-
side the bed of the weak and suffering. The
bill was for the relief of Mary Logan. Thi,
fact should be considered by the gentlemen
in deciding which way to vote.
Mr.. Springer of Illinois said that the ser
vices of Ich men as Logan and Blair were
beyond the measurement of dollars aud
cents. The people owed TO them, their
wives and children, debt of gratitude,
which could never be discharged.
Mr.. Hatch of Missouri said there were
widows of other brave and gallant officers,
who received pension of only 800 month.
He saw no reason why the widows
of Gems Logan and Blair should be taken
out of that class and their pensions raised to
50 900 n year when the average income of
the people of Missouri who would pay their
portion of it, was less than half of that sum.
Mr. Matson of Indiana, said that the pas
sage OF Ille Dllis Itanl the iiHiItNiatt ts-
tablishmeut of an aristocracy class in this
country. If they should become laws, it
would not be a year, until all the widows of
general officers would be asking to be pen
sioued at the same sum. He opposed them
because at the rate of 81 900 year to the
widows of general officers the money would
not go round, limitless as it was supposed to
be by some gentlemen. What reason was
there, he asked, for giving to these good
women more than to the widows of Candy
Meade. Phil kearney aud Stanwooi; The
gentlemen who voted for these bills, voted in
direct violation of the principle of equal
rights TO all.
Mr.. Cochran of New York, said that there
was but one objection which had been urged,
That was, that legislation of this character
was in favor of IA class. This seemed to be
self evident fallacy This legislation was
avowedy based upon iliustrious services.
C,ass legislation was devised for a set of in
dividualS based on some reason extraneous
from their own merit. The legislation which
recognized individual services was directly
opposed to class legislation
The Logan bill was passed by a vote of
l54 to 95.
The Blair bill was passed by vote of AS
to 81. The House, at 4.l5, took a recess
until 80 this evening, the session to be de-
voted to private pension bills.
The House at the evening session passed
"a private pension bills.