The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-04-22
A PENSION GRAB BEATEN.
THE HOUSE DEFEATS THE PRIs-
ONERS OF WAR SCHEME.

SeVSrdl Spe9cnSS MADE Asserting
that Hundreds of Men Were Pris-
oners From Choice-The Oklahoma
Government Report Adopted -
Money Voted to Strengthen the
Treasury Vaults.
WASHINGTON, April 21.-In the House
to-day Mr.. Struble of Iowa submitted the
conference report on the bill to provide a
temporary government for the territory of
Oklahoma. The bill, as agreed upon, changes
the boundaries of the proposed territory of
Oklahoma SO as to exclude from the terrific
rial limits what is known as the Cherokee
outlet. 1t is provided, however, that as
soon as the Indian claim to this outlet is
extinguished it shall become part
of the territory of Oklahoma, without
further legislation, and that the lands
therein shall be opened to settlement as
other lands in said territory. 1t Is also
provided that jurisdiction to enforce the
laws of the United States in the Cherokee
outlet shall be conferred upon the supreme
ana district courts of the territory of Okla
homa- The reading of the report occupied
IL hours. After brief discussion and but
little opposition the report was adopted.
The bill appropriating 1885,, 500 TO provide
the necessary vaults and safeguards for the
security of the public money in the custody
OF the United States treasury was passed.
The Speaker then oalled the committees
IN order for motions to suspend the rules
and pass measures on the calendar.
PENSIONS FOR PRISONERS OF WAR.
MIR. Morrill, of Kansas, from the commit
tee on invalid pensions called up the bill to
pension prisoners of war.
Mr.. Tarsney of Missouri opposed the bill
de had entered the army at the age of II
years, had been stricken down wounded at
Gettysburg and had lain for months in the
confederate prisons of Belle Isle and Ander-
sonville. But he, nevertheless, declared
that this bill was a most vicious propo-
sition. 1t drew no line between the meri-
torious and unmeritorious soldier, or rather
1t discrimiuated against the brave and more
deserving soldiers who fought for their
country and in favor of those who were
picked up az stragglers. The bill was an
inducement to soldiers to surrender. 1t told
the soldier to surrender, to get safely into
an enemY's prison and after the war receive
his reward. All men in uniform were not
soldiers; all of the prisoners were not there
through zeal. Many-a large proportion
were put in prison because they were capt
ured after leaving their commands, or
while evading their duty.
CUMMINGS ALSO OPPOSES IT.
Mr.. Cummings of New York said that if
bill could be drawn which would give to
deserving prisoners Of war alone a special
pension he would favor it. But this bill
took in the lingerer as well as the soldier
| Many man became prisoner to escape a
| fight, because he felt that he was safer in
prison than alongside his comrades in arms.
| He gave as an illustration the conduct of a
number of soldiers at Banks ford, and of a
| soldier who had become prisoner of war
to escape punishment for striking his supe-
| rior officer. The bill would not wash with
| the veterans or with the taxpayer.
Mr.. Hopkins of Illinois defended the bill.
| 1t was not so sweeping as had been repre-
sented. 1t limited the beneficiaries to those
who suffered from disability resulting from
confinement 1t was the duty of the gov
ernment to care for such men. There might
be individual instances, such as were held
| up here, but the prisoners of war as a whole
were deserving class of men.
Messrs. Boothman of Ohio, Cutcheon of
Michigan, Kennedy of Ohio, and Morse of
Massachusetts, advocated the passage of the
bill, the latter maintaining that the men
imprisoned at Andersonville and such hells
on earth suffered more than those in the
ranks. The motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill was then put and defeated
the vote being yeas l43, nays rs, not the
necessary uwo-thirds.
Mr.. Mckinley presented the conference
report on the bill to regulate the sittings of
the United States courts in the district of
South Carolina. The House receded from
its disagreement to the Senate amendments.
The report was adopted, and the House, at
$40 o'clock, adjourned. The clerk an
nounced that republican caucus would be
held at $50 o'clock this evening.