Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-02-27
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 81.
SENATE.

SENATE.
The credentials of James Smith, jr.,
as Senator from the State of New Jel-
sey, in place of Senator Blodgett, were
presented, read and placed on file.
The agricultural appropriation bill
was reported.
A resolution was offered by Mr. Quay
directing the Secretary of War to sus-
pend action on all proposals for the I'M
provement of Philadelphia harbor until
they have been considered by the Sen
ate.
Mr.. Call introduced joint resolution
TO suspend approval of lists of swamp
and overlooked public lands in Florida
until further action of Congress and
asked for its passage.
After considerable discussion Mr..
Stewart insisted that the pension ap-
preparation bill had the right of way
and that the joint resolution should be
referred.
Against that action Mr.. Call protest
ed earnestly, charging that the APPROX
al of lists ofthose lands in Florida was
fraudulent and WAS the result of COL
rupt methods. The reference of the
Joint resolution would, he said, kill it,
and continue the frauds complained Of
Objection to the joint resolution was in
the interest of land spectators and
conspirators. The question was taken
on the motion to refer to the committee
on public lands and the motion was de-
feated.
Mr.. Wolcott said that he had no
knowledge on the subject of the joint
resolution. He did not know the loca-
ton of the lands. He had never been in
Florida but once and if the Lord for
gave him, he would never be there
again Qaughter). But he knew that
the proposition was an interference
with the due and intelligent admins
tration of law and without any sort of
notwithstanding but the vaguest
statements.
Mr.. Call expressed his regret (sar-
castically) at the loss which Florida
had sustained by the Senator's visiting
the State only once, and threatening
never to visit it again. The people OF
that State, he said, would have to bear
the ills of life as best they could. He
thought they would survive without
the presence of any Senator who de-
Tended fraudulent conspirators and I'M
scrupulous spectators.
The Joint resolution went over with
ont action. The pension appropriation
bill was then taken up, and Mr.. Cor
mau called attention to the fact that a
bill appropriating over $l66, 100000
was being run through the Senate
with very few senators giving any no.
tice to it. Acting on that hint IL call of
the Senate was ordered, at the sugges-
ton of Mr.. Chandler and 81 senators
responded.
Mr.. German resumed the floor. He
read from the report of the commits
sioner of pensions, showing that on
the first of June last there were $4,000
pensioners borne on the rolls. 1t was
perfectly safe to say-and the country
ought to know the iact-that the esti-
mates of the commissioner were mere
guess as to the number of pensioners
that would be added TO the list this
year, and it was beyond question that
there would be at the end of the fiscal
year on the 30th of June next, deli
cheney of from five to twenty million
dollars.
The estimate ofthe commissioner was
that in case the adjustment of pensions
went on as rapidly rs it had been going,
the pension appropriation for next year
would become $1SS, 100000 to 10000
900, and that lelore June so, 1891, there
would he 100000 pensioners borne on
the rolls. As to the reduction of pen
sion expenditures by change of law,
that, Mr.. German said, was great
question, which he did not care to enter
into now. 1t might come hereafter.
He suggested that there should be a
provision for the employment of skilled
actuaries in the Pension Ofl'c..
Mr.. German said he could not fail to
take notice of the fact that there had
been an overwhelming vote in the
House against any change in the pen.
sion laws. The fact was that there had
been a rivalry between her two great
political parties to see how far they
could 90 in the matter of pension legis-
lation. All that he (Mr. Germany de-
sired to do was to call the attention OF
the Senate and the people to the fact
that with the present condition OF the
pension laws, Congress would bepower-
less at the next session (as 1t
was at this to reduce pension appro-
priations to any extent, until the ques-
ton was taken up by the pension COM
mittecs. and until legislation was had
for reduction of pensions.
HOUSE.
A demand for the Irregular order"
made by Mr.. Simpson, blasted the
hopes Of Il number Of gentlemen who
were congregated in the area i'll front
of the Speakers desk, each waving q
bill which he desired to have passed
during the closing hours of Congress.
Mr.. Peel moved to suspend the rules
and pass the Indian appropriation bill.
Although more than two-thirds OF the
bill had already been considered and
agreed to in committee of the whole,
and although Mr.. Peel requested that
the reading of that portion be dispensed
with, Mr.. Kilgore objected and the
clerk proceeded to read the bill in ex-
tense.
The reading having been concluded,
Mr.. Taylor demanded second, which
was considered as ordered. He did so
in order to obtain an opportunity to
make some brief remarks in opposition
to the anti-option lii.
After long debate the Indian bill
was then passed.