The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-02-17

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10.-The most sig
ni6cent event in the proceedings Of the
house today was the report of the Bland
free coinage bill by the committee on coin
age. weights and measures. The action was
not one which involved debate, as the bill
merely went on the calendar to be taken
up in the order of its consideration, but
it indicated the intention of the free coin
age men to force the bill with all possible
haste. Indeed, Representative Pierce,
Chairman Bland and other leaders of the
free silver movement in the house assert
that the measure will be pressed to a vote
and actually passed by the house within
the next sixty days. In this event there
is no doubt the senate will have an oppor-
tunity of passing upon the Bland bill long
before the date of either of the great ma
tional conventions.
The house also today ordered an inves-
tigstion of the pension bureau as managed
by Commissioner Raum. The scope OF
the investigation is made much broader
than that of previous inquiries, and
Messrs. Enloe (Tenn.) and Cooper lind
as the instigators of the investigation, will
be expected to furnis b the evidence and
practically conduct the fight against the
present administration of the bureau.
\ resolution recommended by the COM
mittee on accounts for the employment of
two additional messengers for the house
was passed after an hours debate.
On motion of Mr.. Seerley of Iowa bill
was passed extending the time for the
construction of bridge at Burlington.
Mr.. Catchings Miss from the commit
tee on rules reported a resolution for the
appointment of a select committee of five
members to investigate the methods of
business in the bureau OF pensions,
whether use has been made by the COM
missioner of his official position to pro-
mote mis- private affairs or for partisan po-
litical purposes; whether there has been
Determinations made between applicants
for pensions or practicing attorneys;
whether any of the clerks have taken adj
vantage of their position to make profits
and whether the civil service law has been
violated by the commissioner.
Mr.. Enloe Tenn offered an amend
ment extending the scope of the inquiry
SO as to include the methods followed by
the board OF pension appeals. In advocat-
ing his amendment, Mr.. Enloe criticised the
administration OF the pension Office and
reiterated the charge against the commits
sioner and his son which he made last
congress.
Mr. Bland (Mo.) from the committee on
coinage, weights and measures reported
the bill for free coinage OF gold and
silver and for the issue OF coin notes. The
minority was given leave to file minor
ity report not later than Mondaynex {.
Mr.. Bacon IN. Y. J, from the committee
on banking and currency. called up the
bill for the better control and to promote
the safety of national banks.
Mr.. J. ID. Taylor (Ohio) thought that
the bill was wholly unnecessary. The
laws now, if properly administered, were
sufficient to remedy the evils complained
Of.
Mr.. Walker Mass favored the bill as
providing safeguards against improper
bor-owing from the banks. Pending a
demand for the previous question the
morning hour expired, the point of no
quorum having been made against the de-
Inand. This gave rise to little pleasant col
loquy between the speaker and Mr. Reed,
the latter contending that no business
could be transacted until a quorum had
appeared and the speaker, taking the view
that the morning hour having expired
the business pending on it went over until
tomorrow without respect TO quorum.
In the course OF the colloquy the speaker
said that with the greatest respect to the
gentleman) the gentleman was lodging
the question as he had been accustomed
to do during the last congress. The
laughter caused by this remark was re-
newed when Mr.. Reed smilingly suggested
that complaint had been made against
him because he had not lodged any
question. The house then went into
committee OF the whole (Mr. McCreary in
the chair on the military academy bill.
Mr.. Bowers of California made a
humorous speech, in which he described
his efforts (seated in an easy chair in the
luxurious room of the military affairs
committee) to reform the military
academy bill and to cut down expend-
lures. He was taking his leisure lat the
rate Of Sl4 day. and he was wondering
at the large aggregate of appropriations
for the support OF the academy, when q
picture arose before him of the cherries
room of the cadet, and he came to the con-
clusion that he would let somebody else
reform on that side.
After further argument by Messrs.
Watson and Compton against the bill the
committee arose and the house adjourned.
NO BACKWARD STEP.