The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-12-11
FIFTY-FIRsT CONGRESS.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, DCC. bhS AiuhA-
erous petitions presented and referred was
one by Senator Hiscock from the bankers,
importers and merchants of New York ask
ing for an extension of time for the with
drawal OF goods from bond under former
tariff rates. Among the bills introduced
and referred was one for permanent tariff
commission, and also one for the free and
unlimited use of silver as money.
The joint resolution reported yesterday
by Senator Hawley to issue arms to the
States of North and South Dakota and Ne
braska was taken up. Senator Hawley
said that if anything was to be done in the
matter it should be done quickly.
Senator Voorhees, said he did not want to
delay the passage of the joint resolution,
Int after what transpired yesterday he
thought it due not only to himself but to
General Miles as we'll as TO the country to
submit some matters which had since came
to his hands That was an interview with ex-
Governor Foster of Ohio published in the
Cincinnati Enquirer. All senators were
acquainted with Mr.. Foster, who had re-
Gently served on an important Indian COM
| mission and his views ought to have, and
doubtless would have, great weight. Mr.
Foster said in that interview: I'm my opin-
| ion the difficulties might be easily avoided.
The whole matter has been brought about
bv combination of bad policy and of the
| incompetency of some officials. The Sioux
are starving Give the Sioux plenty to eat
| and there will be no further trouble"
After remarks by several senator's joint
resolution was amended so as to apply to
the states of North and South Dakota,
Wyoming and Nebraska, and vas passed.
the election bill was then taken up and
Senator Pugh addressed the senate in OPP
position to it,. AT the close OF his remarks
| the senate proceeded to the consideration
of bills on the calendar. The following
| among others were passed.
A bill to enable the secretary of the in
terror to complete the sale oflands patented
| to certain Flathead Indians in Bitter Root
valley in Montana and providing for the re-
moval of said patenteeS TO the Joke Reser-
| Walton.
Senate resolution to continue during the
| session the inves igatiOn into the status Of
negotiations between the United States
and Cherokee tribe of Indians.
| After brief executive session the senate
adjourned.
| HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4-On motion of Mr..
Morrow of California the house today went
into committee of the whole, Mr.. Burrows
| of Michigan in the chair, on the pension
appropriation Dlllo'
Mr.. Morrow explained that the bill ap-
proprated for payment of pensions the
sum of $l33, $4,000. 1t was estimated that
| that sum of money would be distributed
among 54,7l5 pensioners. This was the
argest number of benificiaries ever pro-
vided for in any single bill. 1t was esti
mated that the gross. cost to the United
States of these pensions for the year
| 1892 would average $2O3.4O each:
He believed that there would
be no deficiencies next year, but on the con.
trary that there would be slight excess of
| appropriations.
Mr.. Sayers of Texas argued that the esti-
mates of the commissioner Of pensions were
totally unreliable and that the amount of
money required TO pay pensions would
be largely in excess of the amount appro-
propriated by the pending bill. He VEN
tured to say the Fifty-second congress
would be compelled to meet deficiency of
not less than $35,00O,000.
Mr.. Cooper of Indiana referred to the
large force of clerks of the pension bureau
and to the vast expenditure of money for
pensions. He proposed to show why this
force of men should be presided over by
men of high character and why this vol.
ume of money should be distributed by a
man who was above criticism and reproach.
1t was his purpose to call the attention OF
the country to the fact that the present
commissioner of pensions was not such
Ia person. He reviewed the charges
jmade against Commissioner Raum, which
formed the basis of an investigation last
session and asserted they had all been
proved. In the present state of his case he
(Mr. Cooper, might have shown some feel
ing. If he had done so he hoped the house
would disregard it and pass on to its duty.
He knew the strength Of personal friend
ship and the pride of the party, but if the
things he alleged were true, members should
rise above personal friendship and party
pride and go to the bottom of this thing
Mr.. Sawyer said the case has not been
closed. The committee was ready to hear
any evidence that might be brought
before it. The gentleman from In
diana might avail himself OF
any information which had been brought
FORTH and might summon any witnesses he
desired. Mr.. Sawyer denied that the
charges against Commissioner Raum bad
been proven, and after some further debate
the committee rose and the house ad
iOurned.