, 1890-07-17
TUESDAY.
A Lively Debate on Pension once
Question.

Question.
WAsursoroY. July I5.-In the house
to-day Mr.. Cannon moved that the house
go into committee of the whole ON np-
propriating 1886. ls9 for an additional
clerical force to carry into effect the pro-
visions Of the dependent pension act.
PENDING this motion, he moved that
that the general debate be limited to two
hours; agreed to-ayes, III; noes, 80.
The previous question was then agreed
to-ayes, 1856; noes. 81, and the house
then went into committee OF the whole.
Mr.. Dockery, Of Missouri, criticised
the majority Of the committee on appro-
priations for not reporting the bill max
ing an appropriation to pay the pensions
which would be granted under the de-
pendent pension bill, and intimated that
the failure was attributable to political
reasons, The appropriation would not
be made before the fall elections.
Mr.. Cannon said that the money
would be appropriated and paid just As
rapidly as the pension certificates were
issued.
Mr. Dockery charged that the ojor.
ity was afrighted by the startling appro-
1 bAAehRha maui bN NAl' lA'aNHh SNS''ch ~
pensions, and that II was the intention
Of the majority To bring in an enormous
deficiency bill after the elections.
Mr.. Sayers, Of Texas, predicted that the
next session of congress would he called
upon to appropriate no less than SiO,-
0Co, 900 to supply the deficiencies in the
appropriations Tor pensions.
Mr. Enloe, of Tennessee, thought that
before any increase of the force was
granted the pension bureau 1t should he
ascertainod whether the charges brought
against the present commissioner In the
resolution offered BY Mr.. Cooper, OF In
diana, were true.
Mr., Cooper. Of Indiana, said that lac
was ready to prove before a competent
committee that the commissioner OF
pensions outragcously sold out rul in q
on behalf Of firm of pension attorneys
/ in Washington. II tho commissioner OF
pensions would devote his time to the
/ discharge of the duties of the bureau
instead OF becoming president and chief
manager OF refrigerating institution,
/ based possibly on nosubstantinl iotnda-
| tion, there would be no necessity Tor so
many clerks.
Mr.. Cannon said that he did not know
until last Friday that Mr. Cooper had
l introduced the Investigation resolution.
/ II he (Cannon) had introduced such a
! resolution and the hearing was In prog
I rcss, he would wait until tile hearing WAS
| completed.
Mr. Cooper replied that the committee
OH rules, alter hearing the statement, ad I.
! iourncd to meet Last asondaY, but IL did
| not meet to pursue the inquiry, because
| the gentleman from Illinois tCannon)
and other members had absented them =
selves.
MIR. Cannon said that he had been
absent Monday for the first time In
eighteen years. The gentlcman's eager
ness would seem TO show an anxiety TO
figure In the newspapers. 1t might be
that the ud ministration OF tho pension
bureau was corrupt. IL 1t was corrupt
let 1, be shown. From an acquaintance
OF twenty wears with Green ID. Raum,
from his honorable career, from the re-
sponsiblo position held by him for years
IN tho treasury aud his uniform good
character, from all those things he would
say. II II should DO true That In these
last days he had fallen under tempta-
tion, il was n rare case. and for ono he
would not condemn him until proof was
! shown.
MIR. McKinley said that owing To Sc
riuus illness In his family he had JJt
| been present at the meeting oil the COM
mttec to which Mr.. Cooper alluded.
! SO far a. nn investigation was concerned.
| IL any gentleman would rise and charge
/ irregularities, or corruption or dishon-
.sty, or unfair dealing on the part oi the
| commissioner that would DO sufficient
reason for him to vote for an invesiiga-
ton.
MIR. Cannon said that he did not 20 SO
far as the gentleman from Ohio. The
charge on the part OF q member of con-
greSs-whO frequently did not weigh b Is
wOrds-uf fnaladminiDtration against an
executive officer was not sufficient TO
authorize the house to order an investi-
| cation. IL must be \ specific charge, for
/ which tho representative made himself
responsible. He must state such facts
ami circumstances as would satisfy tho
house that an Investigation ought to be
| made.
Mr.. Houck. OF Tennessee, offered an
amendmrnt providing that the persons
employed under this bili he apportioned
among the congressional districts OF the
several states and territories not now
having the quotn OF employees under the
existing law; ruled out ON point of
order
During n colloqpy between Messrs.
Cannon and Houck conserving the civil
service law there was considerable
| warmth OF exprcssion.
| Finally, the committee arose and the
house passed tho amendment aud ad-
JUurned.
SENATE fROoEEDISes.
Mr., sherm.u Heporss . substitute for