The morning news., 1892-02-11
THE WORK IN THE HOUSE
TWO 1aORE MESSENGERS FOR TIE
BENEFIT OF THE MEMBERS.

4 "
Their Employment Gives Rise to a
| Little Political Skirmishing-A Reso-
luton for al Investigation Of the
Pension Bureau-Bland's Silver Re-
solution Reported-ControI OF the
Banks
WASHINGTON, Feb. lo.-In the House to-
| day Mr. Rusk Of Maryland. from the COM
mittee on accounts, reported q resolution
for the appointment of two additional mes
sengers for service in the House. Mr. Rusk
| stated that their services were required,
and IL at their appointment would be given
to the minority, but this statement did not
satisfy Mr.. Hopkins Of Illinois, who twitted
the democrats with clamoring for reform
and yet proposing to increase expenses.
Mr.. Enloe did not think any more mes
sengers we're needed.
Mr.. Butler Of Iowa concurred in this
view, but said that if the appointments
were made one at least should be given the
democrats
Mr., Covert of New York supported the
report of the committee declaring, accord
ing TO the statement of the doorkeeper, that
an increased force was necessary. The
resolution was adopted-yeas 1873, nays so.
Mr. Catchings, from the committee on
rules, reported a resolution for the appoint
ment 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 commissioner of his official
position to promote his private affairs or
for partisan political purposes; whether
there has been discrimination made between
applicants for pensions or practicing attor-
neys; whether any of the clerks have taken
advantage Of their position to make profits
and whether the civil service law has been
violated by the commissioner.
Mr.. Enloe offered an amendment extend
ing the scope of the inquiry so as to include
the methods followed by the board Of pen
sion appeals. In advocating the amend
ment, Mr. Enloe criticized the administrs-
tion of the pension Office and reiterated the
charges against the commissioner and his
son. which he made last congress, and upon
which an investigation was then based.
The amendment was agreed TO, and the
resolution, as amended. was adopted.
BLAND's FREE COINAGE BILL.
Mr.. Bland, from the committee on coin
age, weights and measures. reported a bill
for the free coinage Of gold and silver, and
for the issue of coin. notes. The minority
was given leave to file a minority report
not later than Monday next. Mr.. Bland
wished the bill TO be placed upon the House
calendar, but Mr.. Dingley made a point
that the bill must inevitably involve an ex-
pense upon the treasury and should go to
the committee of the whole. Mr.. Bland
said that there was no charge made upon
the treasury.
The speaker held the matter In abeyance,
stating that he would examine the rule upon
the subject.
In the morning hour Mr.. BYnum asked
aud obtained consent to withdraw from
present consideration the bill coming over
from yesterday abolishing the minimum
punishment for violation of the internal
revenue laws.
CONTROL OF THE BANKS.
The bill for better control and to promote
the safety Of national banks occupied the
remainder of the morning hour, but went
into committee of the whole. on the mili-
tary academy bill and the question Of
economy in the appropriations came again
TO the front. In the course of a humorous
speech Mr.. Bowers OF California quoted ap-
provingly the criticism from the democrat
side yesterday of the immense aggregate of
the appropriations by the Fitty-first con-
gress. He agreed with that criticism. 1t
was SO easy to criticise an aggregate" but
be had yet to see any gentleman rise and
denounce the Nfty-first congress for hav-
ing appropriated too much for a public
building in his district or for the improve
ment OF the navigation of a dry creek in
which he was interested.
Mr.. Watson of Georgia opposed the ap-
preparation made in the bill. Economy had
to start somewhere. If congress was to be-
gin to economic let it begin, there was no
place so fit for the beginning as the COM
msncement. Pending action on the bill,
the committee rose and the House adjourned.
The speaker has placed the free coinage
bill upon the House calendar