Evening journal., 1890-07-16

Joe" CANNON election. Mr.
Cutcheon (Mich-) inquired whether Mr.
Dockery had any doubt that the appropria
tions already made would cover all pension
claims which might be adjudicated before
the next session Of congress- Mr.. Dockery
replied that he was not called upon 20 pass
on that question. Mr. Cutcheon suggested
that II was a time honored custom 70 bring
In deficiency bill.
Charges Against the Pension Bureau.
Mr.. Sayers (Tex.) predicted that the next
congress will be called upon 10 pass pen
sion deficiency Of not less than $40 900, 600
Mr. Enloe (renn.) thought that before any
increase Of force was granted the pension
bureau 1t would be well 70 ascertain the
truth Of the charges alleged in Mr.. Coop
er's resolution that the commissioner of
pensions had changed the ruling Of the dc.
partment in the interest Of pension at
torney In this city It had been alleged
th2t the pension Office was corrupt from
bottom to top. He himself believed that
the Office was reeking with corruption in
every department Mr. J. ID. Taylor lO)
did not believe any member had a right to
make such infamous charges against an
executive officer. If he were a man Of
courage he would make an affidavit
Mr. Enioe Talks Fight
Mr.. Enloe said that if the gentleman
wanted to find out whether or not he was
a man Of courage all be had to do was to
Investigate the matter personally. He fur
ther said that every other department or
bureau of the government was conducted
on business principles and was open 10 in
vestigation. The pension bureau seemed
TO be something sacred or something rotten
He believed that the reason the bureau
had not been investigated was because Of
its rottenness. MIR. Cooper qnd.) said be
was ready to prove before competent com
mittee that the charges were true and
would prove that the commissioner Of pen
sions had outrageously sold out ruling in
behalf Of q firm OF pension attorneys. He
was favorable 10 the appropriation made
by the bill, but he belieyed'that IL the com
missioner m pensions would devote his
time TO the government business for which
he was paid instead of becoming president
and manager Of q refrigerator institution
there would be no necessity for such
large number Of clerks. The bureau should
be administered honestly, and he charged
before the country that that was not the
case
MIR. Cannon Defends rIp. Raum-
Mr. Cannon said that bis party would
provide for the debts Of the government
AS to the statements made by the gentle
man from Indiana he was not aware until
last Friday that a resolution of investiga-
tion had been introduced. II he (Mr. Can
non) had introduced the resolution, a hear
ing being in progress, he would wait until
it had been completed. Mr.. Cooper replied
that the committee on rules, after hearing
81 had n a
Monday, but it did not meet because OF the
absence Of Mr.. Cannon and other mem
bers. Mr. Cannon said that he was absent
Monday for the first time in eighteen years.
II might be that the administration of the
pension bureau was corrupt, but the name
of no witness had been mentioned to show
it, and If it was corrupt it should be shown
Mr.. Cannon had an acquaintance Of twenty
years with Green b. Raum and if he had
fallen under temptation he was loath TO
condemn him until proof was shown
Charges Against Other OHicers.
Mr. Rogers (Ark) asked why the com
mittee on rules had not taken action on the
resolution for the investigation Of federal
officers in Oklahoma. Mr. Mckinley said
that he did not know such a resolution
was pending. II had never been brought
to his attention. Mr. Rogers remarked
that when the Oklahoma bill was under
discussion the gentleman from Missouri
(Afr. Mansur) had offered a resolution to
investigate the land Office in Gutherie
This resolution had been published all
over the country, and yet the gentleman |
from Ohio was now informed Of il for the !
first time
MIR. Cannon's ReprooE
MIR. Cannon said that a charge on the |
part Of a member of congress, who fre.
quently did not weigh his words, OF NAL |
administration against an executive Off
Ger was not sufficient to authorize the
house to order an investigation. It must
be a specific charge, for which the repre-
sentative made himself responsible. He
must state such facts and circumstances as
would satisfy the house that the investiga-
tion ought to be made.
Mr.. Houk (Tenn.) offered an amend
ment providing that the persons employed
under this bill shall be apportioned among
the congressional districts Of the several |
states and territories not now having their
quota Of employees under existing laws. |
Ruled out on point of order.
Civil Service Criticised.
In speaking to a verbal amendment. Mr.. |
Evans (Tenn.) declared that the apportion- |
ment Of government employees to the vari- |
Gus states was unfair, and alluded to the |
civil service law as the great national lot |
terry. A little colloquy in regard to the |
civil service law arose between Messrs. |
Cannon and Houk. Mr. Cannon said that /
Mr. Houk saw in the bill only the increase
in the clerical force and not the benefit Of /
the old soldier. After further discussion
the bill was passed.