Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-19
HOUSE.

o short session OF the House this morning. the
attendance of members was very small. The
committee on rules held a brief meeting AMI
determined to report to the House rule en-
power:nS tie Speaker to appoint the committees
OF the last House with the following changes:
The membership of the committee on ways and
means, increased from 10 to Is members: the
quadro-centennial committee, from TO II
members. The committee on Indian depreda-
ton claims to be dispensed with.
THE HOLIDAY RECESS.
The journal having been read and approved,
on motion Of Mr.. McMillin (Tenn.) a concur
rent resolution was agreed to providing for a
holiday recess from Wednesday, 23d instant,
until Tuesday, 5th proximo.
5lr. McMillin (Tenn. }. from the committee
on rules, reported the rule designating the COM
mittees OF the House and tho members thereof.
Mr.. Meme Millin made brief statement in
explanation OF the report. The membership
OF the committee on Ways and means in
creased from ID 10 10 The reason for this was
the fact that since the number had been fixed
at Is there had been n large increase in the
membership of the House. The committee on
quauro-centenniai had been increased from 8 to
II, and Il similar increase had been made in the
committee Oh immigration.
The committee on Indian depreciation claims
had been abolished, for the reason that at the
last Congress Ii law had been passed submitting
these Claims to the courts. The name of the
committee on commerce had been changed to
the committee on interstate and foreign COM
merce.
DESIGNATING THE CHAIRMAN.
The method of designating the chairman of
any committee was changed in this: Formerly
in the event of the death of a chairman the
second member succeeded to the Office. This
was changed by giving the appointment Of the
chairman to the Speaker.
MIR. Springer I'll. suggested that the detig-
nation of the quadro-centennial committee
should be changed to the committee on the CO.
lumbar exposition.
Mr.. McMiilin jocularly remarked that it
might be called the committee on the Chicago
change proposed. and the suggestion was
agreed to.
Tho report was then adopted.
Mr. Enloe offered a resolution, which was re-
ferred to the committee on rules, providing
for an investigation of the pension bureau
that employees Of the bureau con-
spired against the public treasury
to rate themselves and other persons in IN
irregular and illegal manner, which conspiracy
resulted in the removal OF Commissioner
Tanner Tanner: that the Secretary of the
CATION to be made to ascertain
who were concerned in the rerating conspiracy
and made report to Congress submitting the
result OF his investigation; that Garrison, a file
clerk In the bureau. took from the files and con-
cealed the papers in the case OF W. W. Dudley,
lata commissioner of pensions, SO
that his name did not appear in the
report OF the investigation, although he was
rerated prior to said report; that it is alleged
that Garrison has since been promoted by the
commissioner from $1,000 to an $500
clerkship with a knowledge Of his con-
duct in this matter; that Green b Raum, IT,,
son Of the commissioner, has been compelled
to tender his resignation in the face
OF charges that he has been engaged
in selling the patronage. Of the bureau;
commissioner. has advertised through the
public prints and otherwise that he is
son VI the commissioner, claiming special
avantages in securing favorable action in
the pension bureau; that Green B. Raum.
the commissioner Of pensions, stands charged
with granting of special favors in exchange for
personal and pecuniary favors: that it is alleged
that improper influences control the admins
tration of the office, and that tho special exam
iners' decisions, the completed file systems.
and the board Of pension appeals are made
agencies for promoting personal, pecuniary and
political ends to SUCH an extent that there is
rank favoritism and unfair discrimination
prac .ced in dealing with the soldiers.
who all equally entitled to consdera-
ton at the hands OF the bureau; that it is
DelleVeu tnat tuOrOugn ana searching lnves-
tigation into the methods of administration
which obtain in the bureau will clear away the
scandals which thicken about it and secure an
economical, just and reputable administration
Of the same. The resolution is as follows:
Resolved. That special committee of five
be appointed by the Speaker to inquire con-
corning said charges and all other matters re-
lating to the conduct of the commits
sioner in tine matter or to the adminstra-
ton OF his Office which. in the iudg-
ment of said committee, may conduce to the
honest clean, just, economical and efficient adj
n,inlstration of said bureau. Said committee
shall have power and authority to send for per-
sons and papers to administer oaths, to take
testimony and shall report its conclusions to
this House.
MR.. FoRDs DEATH ANNOUNCED.
Mr.. Chapman Of Michigan announced the
death of his colleague, Melbourne H. Ford. and
in respect to the memory o. the deceased the
House adjourned until Wednesday, with the
understanding that on that day no business
shall be transacted except that referring to the
recess resolution and to the announcement of
committees by the Speaker.