The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-06
CONGRESS.
THE SENATE.
ingalls, Offers an Explanation Pension
Bill Passed.

reported and placed on the calendar in the
Senate to-day was one increasing the PEN
sion of General Clusters widow to 500 per
month
Farwell submitted to the Senate petition
from large number of Chicago banks urg-
ing Immediate passage of the Torrey BANK
ruptcy Bill.
ingalls,, rising to make personal state
ment, said he had been absent from the seS-
sion OF the Senate during the past two
weeks, in which interval action had been
taken on the cloture rule and the Elections
Bill. His attitude on both these questions
had been made the subject of comment and
censure and of aaimadversion. On the day
of his departure, after a consultation with
Allison, on whom he had been accustomed
to lean in every hour of his need, he had
left with Casey, who had charge of the alb
sentees, note saying: "I should vote
against the proposed change of rules and
should vote for motion to proceed to the
consideration of any other than the Elec-
tions Bill. and am paired accordingly with
Senator Allison, who is at liberty to make
the motion"
He had been opposed. he said. unalter-
ably opposed, to the adoption of the cloture
rule for many reasons suffi lent and salts
factory to himself. There were those pres
ent who knew that many months ago while
occupying the chair in the absence OF the
Vice-President, he resisted many urgent
importunities and many strenuous solicita-
tions to cooperate in that direction by
methods that he then believed and now be-
lieveS were revolutionary and SubyerSlve OF
the fundamental principles OF constitutional
government. He had not since seen any oc-
casion to change or modify his convictions.
He was now, and always had been, in favor
of a just and impartial election law, directed
alike against force and fraud, bipartisan
and applicable equally TO all parts OF the
nation. The measure under consideration,
however, did not in many of Its details re-
ceive the sanction of his judgment. 1t ap-
peared to him to be cumbersome, compll-
Gated, obscure in many OF Its provisions ana
difficult of application. 1t subOrdinated the
judiciary to political control and opened the
treasury TO indefinite expenditure without
requisite supervision, and in violation, in
his judgment, of the spirit, II not OF the let
ter of the provision of the Constitution that
declares that no money shall be drawn out
OF the treasury, except IN consequence Oh
appropriations made by law.
In order to guard against the enactment OF
such Il measure into a law in his absence,
and without amendments which he regarded
as essential to prevent dangers not less dis
tinct than those which it was intended to
obyiate, he had reserved the right to vote, IN
his absence, with those Republicans who
favored the consideration of other important
measures. Unless those notifications were
made he had no arrangement, agreement or
understanding, expressed or implied, direct
or indirect, remote or contingent, to have his
vote counted except as against the passage
of the Elections Bill
He had been a Republican since the party
was born, and had voted, without variable
ness or the shadow OF turning, Tor every
Republican candidate during that period
He had never espoused Il cause which he be-
lieved would be wrong, because 1t was pop
ular, and had never refused to advocate
cause which he believed would be right be-
cause twas unpopular.
Allison deemed it due to himself to say
that on every occasion when he had an op-
portunity he had stated distinctly that he
lad no pair with ingalls, on votes respecting
the Elections Bill.
The conference report was presented and
agreed to on the bill setting apart for settle
ment portion of the FoIt Ellis Military
Reservation, in Montana.
The Pension Appropriation Bill was then
taken up. 1t appropriates for pensions for
the year S133, ,173, ,0S5, for fees and expenses
of examining surgeons Sl,5OO,0OO for sal
aries of eighteen pension agents $4,000 and
for clerks hire S300,000.
In the course of the discussion on the
bill, Mcpherson inquired whether the
amount appropriated would be sufficient for
one year.
Allison believed it would be, but admitted
that there might be deficiency OF five, six,
there might be a surplus, but he thought 1t
more likely there would be deficiency.
Mcpherson asked how many appropria-
tons had been made under the act OF last
year.
Allison gave the number up to January
10th as 529, 600. of which only 5000 or 5000 had
been yet allowed.
Quay moved to add to the provision as to
fees, proviso that it shall not apply to any
case now pending where there Is an existing
lawful contract. Agreed 10.
C0ckrell moved to insert proyiso that
hereafter no fee or compensation for any
pension attorney or agent be retained out OF
any allowance for pensions.
There was a long discussion upon the
amendment which was finally disagreed to
on strict party lines.
Cockrell offered an amendment providing
that hereafter no pension shall be allowed
or paid to any officer non-c0mmlSsloned OIL
ficer or private in the army, navy or marine
corps, either on the active or retired list.
Agreed to.
All the committee amendments having
been agreed to the bill was passed, Stewart
not offering the amendment of which he
gave notice to insert free coinage bill as
part of the Pension Appropriation Bill
The Senate took up the House bill to pro-
vide for the adjustment of the accounts OF
laborers, workmen and mechanics arising
under the eight-hour law.
Dawes gave notice of an amendment In
the way of a substitute. requiring payment
for overtime, notwithstanding any agree
ment to the contrary.
The bill was then laid aside informally
until tomorrow.
Among the bills taken from the calendar
and passed were the following: House bill,
TO authorize the construction of tunnel un-
der New York Bay; House bill, for the can
collation. of the contract with the United
States Engineer for the delivery of stone for
the improvement of the mouth of the Colum-
bia River; Senate bill, TO establish Marine
Board for the advancement of the interests
of the merchant marine; Senate bill, author
| iZing the Secretary of War to cause an eX-
ploration and survey to be made of the in
terror of Alaska and appropriating 100000
for the purpose: Senate bill, granting to
| Wyoming certain lands in the Fort ID. A.
| Russell Military Reservation for agricul-
| tural exposition grounds.
| After an executive session the Senate ad-
| journed.