The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-06
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
ingalls, Makes an Explanation-Pensio
Appropriation Bill Passed..

ingalls, Makes an Explanatfon-Pensfo
Appropriation Bill Passed.
WASHINGTON CITY, Feb. 5.--In the Senate
among the bills reported and placed on the cal
endar was one increasing the pension OF General
Clusters widow to 500 month.
ingalls,, rising TO make a personal statement
said he had been absent during the sessions of
the Senate during the past two weeks, in which
interval action had been taken on the cloture
rule and elections bill. His attitude on both
these questions had been subject to comment
On the day of his departure, after consultation
with Allison, on whom he had been accustomed
to lean in every hour of need, he had left with
the senator, who had charge of the pairs of alb
sentees, note saying: 81 should
vote against the proposed change of rules,
and should vote for motion to proceed
to the consideration of any other than the elee-
uons bill, and am paired accordingly with Sena-
tor sanders, who is at liberty to vote and make
motions" He had been opposed, he said, unai-
terably opposed to the adoption of the cloture
rule Tor many reasons, sufficient and satisfactory
to himself TheSe were those present who
knew tnat many months ago, while occupying
the chair IN the absence of the vice president he
resisted many urgent opportunities and many
strenuous solicitations TO operate in that direc-
ton, by methods which he then believed, anu
now believed, were revolutionary and subver-
slye of the fundamental principles of constltu-
tionai government. He had not since seen any
cause TO modify or chang, his convictions He
was now, and always had been, in favor of a
just and impartial election law, operative alike
against force and fraud, non-partlsan and ap-
pIlcabIe equally to all parts of the nation. The
measure under consideration, however, did not
III many OF its details receive the approval of
his Judgment. 1t Itappeared to him to be cum
Vis, Ufons compca.sd % obscure IN many Of its pro.
subordinated the judiciary to political control
ana opeLed the treasury TO indefinite expendi-
ture, with no requisite supervision and in VIOLA
ton, in his judgment, of the spirit if not of the
letter OF the provision OF the constitution, that
declared that no money shall be drawn out of
the treasury except in consequence of appropri-
the enactment of such a measure into law in
his absence and without the amendment which
he regarded as essential TO prevent dangers not
less distinct than those which il was intended
to oDyiate, he had reserved the right to vote, in
his absence, with those Republicans who
favored consideration of other important mat
ters, unless those specifications were made. He
hnd not made any arrangement, agreement, or
understanding, express or implied, direct or in
olrect, remote or contingent, to have his vote
counted against the passage of the elections
bill. dc mad been a Republican since the party
was born, and had voted without variableness or
shadow OF turning ior every Republican can
dldate. During that period he had never upheld
cause which he believed to be wrong because.
II was popular, and had never refused to advo-
cate cause which he believed to be right be-
cause 1t was unpopular.
Allison deemed it due to himself to saw that
on every occasion when he had opportunity he
had stated distinctly he had no pair with Ingalls,
or votes respecting the elections bill.
The conference report was presented and
agreed to on the bill setting apart for settle
ment portion of the Fort Ellis military reselva-
tion in Montana.
The pension appropriation bill was taken up.
1t appropriates Tor pensions for the year, Sl33.-
l73,095; ior fees ana expenses of examining sur
geons, $4,000; for salaries OF eighteen pension
agents. $1,000, and for clerk hire, $4,000.
In the course OF the discussion on the appro-
priation 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,
eight or ten millions. On the other hand there
might be surplus, but he thought it more
likely that there would deficiency.
Mcpherson asked how many applications had
been made under the act last year, and Allison
gave the number up to January 10 as $4,000, OF
which only 5000 or 1900 bad been yet allowed.
Quay moved TO add to the provision TO fees,
proyiso that "it shall not apply to any case
now pending, where there is an existing lawful
contract" agreed to.
Coekrell moved to insert a proviso that here
after no fee or compensation for any pension at
torney or agent be retained out of an allowance
for a pension. There was "a long discussion upon
the amendmsnt, which was finally disagreed to
on strict party lines.
CockreIl offered an amendment providing that
hereafter no pension be allowed or paid any Off
Ger, non n-commissioned officer 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 the free coinage bill
as part OF the pension appropriation bill, the
Senate took up the House bill TO provide for the
adjustment of the accounts of iaborers, work
men and mechanics arising under the eight
hour law. Dawes gave notice of amendment
in the way OF a substitute requiring payment
for overtime, Notwithstanding any agreement to
the contrary The bill was then laid aside in
formally until tomorrow.
Among the bills taken from the calendar and
passed were the following: House bill to au-
thorlze the construction OF tunnel under New
York bay; House bill for cancellation OF contract
with the United States engineer for the delivery
OF stone for the improvement of the mouth Of
the Columbia river; Senate bill to establish
marine board for the advancement of the inter
eets of the merchant marine; Senate bill author
iZing the secretary of war TO cause an expiora-
tion and survey TO be made OF the interior of
ALASKA, and appropriating 100000 for the pur-
pose: Senate bill granting to Wyoming certain
lands In the Fort u. A. Russell military reserva-
tion for agricultural and exposition grounds.
After an executive session the Senate ad
journed.
senator Farwell submitted petitions from
large number of Chicago banks urging imme-
diafe action on the bankruptcy bill.
The president sent 70 the Senate the following
nominations: PoStnasters, Nevada-Niiliam
smith, Nevada Oregon-Edwin NJ. Rands, Ore