, 1890-03-01
SENATOR BLAIR KICKS
Because His Speeches are Not
Reported by the Press.
Thinks They Should be Given
Instead of Dog Fights.
The Senate Also Considers
Pension Matters.

WASHINGTON, Feb. Ex-senator In
gals was elected vice president pro tenn.
and will o%ficiate during the absence of
Vice President Morton in Florida.
Blair took the floor and said he had re
ceived a letter, one of many such, com
planning that the Associated Press
and the newspapers of the coun
try failed to give such reports OF
important matters under debate in the
senate as would properly inform the PEG
pie touching affairs in progress. The
letter in question referred to his educa-
tional bill. This, said Blair. is but a
specimen of the general complaint
throughout the country hat the press, to
which the senate furnishes privileges, and
the Associated Press, whose reporter has
privileges of the floor, fail in the discharge
OF their important duty connected with
legislation. The press has con.
stantly minated hat the reason OF
its alleged delinquency in not
publishing such important matters
rather than prize fights and dog fights, is
that my speech was not entertaining. |
have spent many thousands of dol
lhio uioliiOuAiuR "J SpetCucS anu InlS
would have been unnecessary had not the
press been muzzled and intimidated and
false to Its trust. In that regard | have
been told by newspaper men that the As
ISOLATED Press has not transmitted any, or
scarcely n.y., OF the facts which, day after
day. have been placed before the senate,
and which should have gone before the
people. On the contrary, the papers
have been filled with f~alsehoods, lies and
Misrepresentation of a grave character
bearing on the merits of the question.
That n be an accident. The press
should not cater 10 the worst side of hu.
manity even il it supplies Its owners with
a little more cash.
Hawley said he knew the Associated
Press performed its duty. 1t sent from
Washington every day quite a full abb
stract of the proceedings in congress in
both houses.
Hale and Hoar also spoke 10 defense of
the press. the latter finding an excuse for
the press in 1.-The habit Of senators and
representatives preparing long written
speeches and delivering them to empty
benches.
Blair said: However. there is a de-
mand for information which the press
does not satisfy. There might be a pro-
vision made for a general cheap ~circula-
ton of the Congressional Record That
provision had not been made. With re-
gard to the Associated Press, he was
glad to hear what the senator from Con-
necticut (Hawley) said, but had been told
by responsible newspaper men that it
was not true. The matter was then
dropped.
The nate then proceeded to the con-
sideration of the bill reported from the
committee on pensions on the 18th of
January granting pensions to ex-soldiers
and sailors incapacitated for the perform
ance of manual labor and providing for
pensions to dependent relatives of de-
ceased soldiers and sailors. Davis, chair
man of the committee on pensions,
addressed the senate in explanation of the
bill. The annual expense under the bill
will be $35, COS, 900, divided among in
valid pensions, increase of existing pen
sions, widows, unpensioned soldiers, wild
ows of pensioners. widows whose claims
are pending or rejected, children OF wild
ows and children under pending bills.
Plumb offered a substitute for the Sec
ond section, under which no pensioner
would receive less than SC per month.
Moody spoke Tor the substitute and
Vest opposed the bill. One Of Its incon
sistencies was that a parent who could
not support himself by manual labor, but
who might by mental or clerical work
earn IS. 1000. $40, 900 or $40, 900 a year,
would be entitled to a pension under it.
He also spoke of the unreliability of est
mates, and said no man could tell within
millions and millions of how much this
bill would cost. 1t went over without
action.
The house bill for the appointment of
two persons to represent the United
States in the Madrid conference was
passed.
The senate then adjourned until Mon
day.