, 1890-07-16

In the House.
WASHINGTON, July Is. Cannon
moved that the house go into a committee
of the whole on appropriating 1886, lSe
for additional clerical force to carry into
effect the provisions of the dependent
pension act.
Thomas of Illinois moved that the gen
eral debate be limited to two hours.
Agreed to-yeas 1875. nays Gland the
house went into committee of the whole.
Dockery OF Missouri criticized the
m jority of the committee on appropria-
tons for not reporting a bin making an
appropriation to pay the pensions which
would be granted under the dependent
pension bill, and intlmated that the fail
ure was attributable to political reasons.
The appropriation would not be made be-
fore the November elections.
Cannon said the money would be ap-
propnated and paid just as rapidly as the
pension certificates were issued.
Dockery charged that the majority was
affriRhtened by the startling appropria-
tions made at the present session for pen
sions. and that 1t was the intention OF the
majority to bring in an enormous def
cheney bill after the election.
Sayers of Texas predicted that the
next session of congress would be called
upon TO appropriate no less than $40.-
600, 900 to supply the deficiencies in ap-
preparations for pensions.
Enloe of Tennessee thought that be-
fore any increase OF force was granted the
pension bureau it should be ascertained
whether the charges brought against the
present commissioner In the resolution of
fered by Cooper Of Indiana were true.
Cooper of Indiana said he was ready To
prove before q competent committee that
the commissioner of pensions had out
rageously sold out q ruling 90 behalf of a
firm of pension attorneys in Washington
If the commissioner of pensions would de
vote his time to the discharge OF the du-
ties OF the bureau instead of becoming
the president and chief manager OF a
refrigeratoring institution, based possibly
on no substantial foundation. there would
be no necessity for any considerable num-
Der of clerks.
Cannon said he did not know until last
Friday that Cooper had introduced the
investigation resolution. If he Cannon
had introduced such n resolution, and the
hearing was In progress, be would wait
until the hearing was completed.
Cooper replied that the committee on
rules after hearing his statement had ad-
journed to meet last Monday, but it did
not meet to pursue the inquiry because
the gentleman from Illinois (Cannon) and
other members had absented themselves.
Cannon said he had been absent Non
day for the first time In eighteen years.
The gentleman's eagerness would seem to
show an anxiety to figure In the newspa-
pers. 1t might be that the administra-
ton Of the pension bureau was corrupt.
If it be corrupt let 1t be shown. From
an acquaintance of twenty years with
Green b, Raum-from his honorable
career and the responsible position held
BY him for years in the treasury, and his
uniform good character-from all these
things he would say that If it should be
true that in these last days he had fallen
under temptation it was a rare case. and
for one he would not condemn him unit.
proof was shown.
Mckinley said that owing ts serious
illness in his family he had not been pres
ent at the meeting of the committee or
rules to which Cooper alluded. So fai
as the investigation was concerned, if any
gentleman would rise and charge irregu-
l~arities or corruption. or dishonesty, or un'
fair dealing on the part of the commits
sioner, hat would be sufficient reason fol
him to give his vote for an investigation.
Cannon said he did not go so far as the
gentleman from Ohio. The charge ON
the part OF a member of congress (who
frequently did not weigh his words) of
administration against IN executive
officer was not sufficient to authorize the
house to order an investigation. 1t mus
be a specific charge. for which the repre-
sentative made himself responsible. FL,
must state such facts and circumstance
as would satisfy the house that an iuves
t~igation ought to be made.
Houk of Tennessee offered an amend
ment providing that persons employed
under this bill be apportioned among tn,
congressional districts of the severa
states and territories not now having thei
quota Of employees under the existing law
Ruled out on a point of order.
During a colfbquy between Cannon an
douk concerning the civil service lay
there was considerable warmth of ex
preston. Finally the committee rose
passed the bill, and the house adjourned