New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-18

SOUTHERN DEMOCRATS REDUCED TIE NUMBER
OF BILLS PASSED By THE LAST CONGRESS.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.
Washington, March I7-Accordng to a statement
prepared by Mr. Martin. of Indiana who was chairman
of the House Committee Invalid Pensions In the
LID Congress, 2,lS2 bills referred to that conf
mttee. Of which 227 were favorably reported. OF
tho total number 100 originated In the House and
81 in the Senate: Of the former, 10l were avOrably
reported, and of the latter &c. while there were ad
verse reports 10 House bills and 20 Senate Bills
OF the 319 private acts OF the LID Congress- 2l1
granted pensions increased pensions to In
dvidual claimants, and Of these 1913 were on account
of services during the War of the Rebellion, and s3
on account OF the Mexican War; the War OF 1872. and
various Indian When the Lid Congress ex
pired, about 7J bills which had been favOrably
ported by the Committee on Invalid Pensions died on
the calendar. These We're all bills for pensions on
account of services during the War Of the Rebellion
The results shown by the foregoing figures were
extremely compared with the action Of the
List Congress. which passed 1880 pension acts, OF
which 1856 became laws In regard TO this CON-
parson, however 1t Is pertinent to observe that soon
after the beginning Of the first session of the Lid
Congress 1t became apparent that certain Southern
Democratic representatives had determined to obstruc
and prevent pension legislation for the benefit OF
Union claimants to the extent OF their ability. The
fact that under the rules all private pension bills had
to be considered at night sessions when II was difficult
indeed mpracticabe, TO secure the attendance OF l67
members. enabling the southern Obstructionists to
out their purpose. A few days before the eX
piraon Of Congress about $50 Representatives pledged
themselves In writing to attend the Friday night sit
ting In order to clear the calendar OF the bills which
had been favorably reported. and at that sitting Jag
Of them In their seats ready 10 do business II
larger number than the average attendance at
day sittings had been when Of great public
| Importance considered and passed but IT was
less than quorum and the objection OF single
obscure memberAnthony, OF 1eXas-ehecually blocked
legislation, and the House was forced TO adjourn.
1t may be remembered that the entire Republican
membership In that House numbered nearly eighty less
than quorum, and enough Democrats could not have
been found supply the deficiency. even II every
| Republican had been In his seat. The Southern Demo
Gratis had simply determined TO prevent pension egl,-
lation except In the direction OF ctirtailng and re-
| strictnp the operation OF laws which they dsrc not
openly attempt to repeal This determination became
| apparent early in the FIRST session that II dis
| cCuraged the members Of the Committee Invalid
Pensions. Democrats well Republicans and this
fact will account In part for the comparatively small
number Of bills reported from that committee. The
members OF the committee, irrespective Of party. are
entitled to credit for their earnest efforts 10 prevent
the adoption Of provisions reported by the Democratic
maj oriy Of the Committee Oh Appropriations In the
Pension Appropriation bill which designed 10
restrict and in some instances to nuify existing laws
for the benefit OF survivors and widows Of the War
/ III Rebellion.