The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-07-24
CONGRESS.
An Abstract Of the More Important
Proceedings Of Both Houses.
TUESDAY. July is.

TUESDAY, JULY 10.
Tn the Senate, Mr.. Sherman, from the Finance
Committee. reported a substitute for bill in
troduced by him on May 10 to reduce the
amount of United States bonds TO be required
of National Banks and TO restore to tho cham
nels of trade the excessive accumulations OF
lawful money in the Treasury. Placed on the
calendar with notice by Mr. Sherman that he
would ask tho Senate to consider it very soon.
The Senate resumed consideration OF the
sundry civil appropriation bill, the first item
being one OF 5000 600 for surveying the public
lands tho Committee on Appropriations rec
ommending an increase of that amount to
100000. The object was TO threw open to
settlement the lands intended TO be reserved
for irrigation.
A long discussion followed, and the Senate
adjourned at S p. m. without disposing of the
amendment.
The House went into Committee Of the
Whole on the bill appropriatng 1896, 1s9 for
additional clerical force TO carry into effect the
dependent pension act. BY yeas ia, nays 6O,
debate was limited to two hours. One hundred
and twenty-five members were announced as
paired on this vote.
The bill elected considerable discussion, the
Democrats charging that the Republicans were
frightened at the enormous appropriations, and
were afraid TO make provision for paying the
pensions until after election.
Mr. Cannon (Ill.) said that the money would
be appropriated and paid just rs rapidly as the
pension certificates were issued.
Mr. Enloe (Tenn.l thought that before any
increase of force were granted tho Pension
Bureau. it should be asceriained whether tho
charges brought against the present Commits
sioner were true. 1t had been alleged in res
olution offered by Mr.. Cooper (lud.) that the
Commissioner had changed tho ruling of the
Department in the interest of pension attor-
ney in this city. This had taken hundreds OF
thousands of dollars of the peoples money and
paid it TO claimants who were not entitled to
ANYTHING. IL had been alleged that the Pension
Office was corrupt from bottom to top. He,
himself, believed that the Office was TeekIng IN
corruption in every department.
Mr. J. d. Taylor (0hio) did not believe that
any member had right to make such infamous
charges against an executive officer. III he were
man Of courage he would make an affidavit.
Mr. Enloe retorted that. if the gentleman
wanted to find out whether no tEnlool was q
man of courage, all he had to do was TO investi-
gate the matter personally.
MIR. Cannon, good naturcdly, offered To play
second 20 either or both of the parties.
Continuing. Mr.. Enoe declared that every
other Department bureau of the Government
except the Pension Bureau wss conducted on
business principles and was open TO invesiga-
tion. About that bureau there appeared to be
something sacred or something rotten, and in
MS opinion the reason thal LigS DuEHau Hstu hot
been investigated was because OF tho rotten
ness which was known to be concealed.
Mr. Cooper (Ind.) said that facts had come to
his knowledge which substantiated the rumors
which had been circulated in the newspapers
respecting the Commissioned of Pensions. He
was ready TO prove before a competent COM
mittee that the charges were true. 10 ex-
pocted TO prove that the Commissioner of PEN
sions had outrageously sold out ruling in be-
hal fof ofta affn ia Waah{nU.
ington.
Mr. Cannon Tll.l said that his party, while In
power, would appropriate money TO pay tho
debts of tho Government including this-tho
greatest equity-the pension debt As 10 the
statements made by the gentleman from In
diana, he had not known until last Friday that
Mr. Cooper had introduced the investigation
resolution. II hearing was in progress he
would wait until IL was completed.
hr. Cooper replied that the Committee on
Rules. after hearing his statement had ad-
janrned to meet last Monday, Bat 1t did not
meet 10 pursue the inquiry, because members
had absenied themselves
Mr.. Cannon said he was absent Monday for
the FIRST time In Is years. IT might be that tho
administration OF the Pension Bureau was cor
rupt. Ibso, the name Of no witness bad besn
mentioned TO show il. But IL il DO corrupt let
il be shown. From an acquaintance OF 20 years
with Green =. Ranm, from his honorable career,
the responsible position held by him for years
ia the Treasury and his uniform good charac-
ter if IL should be true that in these last days
he had fallen under temptation, 10 was a rare
case, aud for one he hr. Cannon) would not
condemn him until the proof was shown. IL
was not every accusation by who were
careless or careful Of their moods Il was not
| the bark lpg-no lac would not say that, it WAS
| not the disturbance Of the air by every gentle
man or individual that put everybody on the
| defensive.
Mr.. Mckinley said that, owing to serious ILL.,
ness In his family he had not been present at
/ the meeting of the Committee OH Rules 20
which Mr.. Cooper had alluded. So far as any
! Investigation Of Gen. Raum was concerned il
any gentleman would rise in his place aud
| charge irregularities corruption or dishon.
| esty or unfair dealing on the part of the
| Commissioner, that would be sufficient reason
| for him To give his vote for an investigation.
| IL any gentleman on tho floor made charges
4 against any executive officer he would vote for
| an investigation.
After further debate tho committee rose and
the bill was passed, the House adjourning At
g p. IN.
WEDNESDAY. July IT,
In the Senate, Mr.. Dawes Mass J, from the
| Committee on Appropriations, reported the
! Indian appropriation bill and said that immedi.
ately after the conclusion Of the sundry civil
appr0pr iation bill hc would ask the Senate Ia
/ consider IL.
Mr. Payne tOhio) offered a resolution (which
was agreed TOY calling on tho President for in.
| formation as to the expulsion from Guatemala
| Of g. IL Hoflandcr n citizen Of the IJpit.d