The Portland daily press., 1890-12-05
HEARD IN THE HOUSES OF CONGRESS.
A Personal Attack With the Pension
Bill as a Pretext.
Some More Democratic Eloquence
on the Wicked "Force BILL"
Naturalization Cases Mentioned In
tho Attorney Generals Report

WASHINGTON, December 4-The House
today, went into committee Of the whole on
the pension appropriation bill. Mr.. Morrow
explained that the bill appropriated for the
payment Of pensions $l33, 600 and esti-
mated that this sum would be distributed
among 654, 715 pensioners. The pension bill
for the current year was framed under cal
culation presented by the commissioner Of
pensions, under which sos, 100000 was appro-
priated. 1t was believed the amount of the
appropriation was sufficient. He believed
there would be no deficiency next year. On
the contrary there would be slight excess
Of appropriation.
MI. Sayers Of Texas, argued that the esti-
mate of the commissioner of pensions was
totally unreliable, and that the amount of
money required to pay ths pensions would
be largely in excess of the amount apprOpri-
ated by the pending bill. The commissioner
had failed to tell the House what would be
expended in 1890. He had madea similar fail
ure in 1891, and would make greater failure
in 1892. A Democratic Congress would have
to pay the penalty. His conclusion was, after
a careful investigation Of the matter, that
instead of the governments expenditures
for pensions being confined to S133, 900, 600.
no apology to make for any administration
that would use the pension system to ad
vance the prospects Of any party, Democratic
or Republican.
Mr.. Cooper of Ohio proposed to show that
the present commissioner OF pensions was
not of high character, not above criti-
cism n0rsabove reprOach. lie reviewed the
allegation made against Commissioner Raum
relative to the Universal Refrigerating Com
pany and to the expeditng OF the Lemon
pensions case as set forth In his resolution
of inquiry last session, claiming that the
testimony had substantiated the truih of all
the allegations. He read from testimony
given by the employees of the pension bureau
to show the influence exercised upon the
commissioner by George Z. Lemon. Before
the last election the commissioner had made
a pilgrimage to Indiana, and invaded his
MIR. CoOper'sl district in order to prostitute
his high office as commissioner OF pensions
for partisan ends. He Mr.. Cooperl knew
the strength of personal friendship and
pride Of party but, if the things he alleged
were true, members should rise above per-
sonal friendship and party pride, and go to
the bottom of this thing.
Mr.. Sawyer of New York was surprised
that the gentleman should make speech at
this time, before the case was closed The
case was not closed; the committee was
ready to hear any evidence that might be
brought before it. Nothing in the testlm0-
nv so far had shown that any person In the
office knew anything in regard to the pur-
chase of Universal Refrigerating stock, and
no instan was shown that any person
owning thatIstock had been promoted.
Mr.. Cannon of Illinois said that from both
gentlemen he had learned that the whole
matter was in the hands of special COM
mittee. No evidence or report was ever pre-
sented 10 the House. The gentleman from
Indiana had got hold of copy of the evil
dence and proceeded to dog-ear and Gull 1t in
order to make an attack upon government
officer, W hen no other member was able to
follow him. This discussion had no place
here until the committee reported.
The committee rose and the House
adjourned