The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-17
An Alabamian's Charges Against an Indiana
Soldier Promptly Resented BY the
Hocsier Congressman.
Resort to Fisticuffs Barely Prevented
BY Mr. Cooper and Other Members.
0dious Pension Legislation Defeated by Re.
publicans-lnteresiing Political and Per-
sonal Debate in the Senate.



Encounter Between Judge Waugh and Mr..
Turpin-Pension Legislation Defeated.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.-To-day's session
of the House was both exciting and inter.
estinR-exciting because of a personal en-.
counter between Judge Waugh. of Indiana,
and Mr.. Turpin, of Alabama. and interest
ing because partisan prejudice against pen.
sions received its setback in the Demo-
cratic house of Representatives. The Re-
publican members of that body. firm to q
man for the interest of the pensioner, aided
BY q few Democrats from the North, have
killed every proposition reported from Mr.
Holman's committee on appropriations as
amendments to the regular pension bill. and
being the first overt acts of the Democratic
party in the direction of destroying the
present pension system. There were q
number of amendments tackled on to the
regular pension appropriation bill which
were intended to be 'feelers" of the public
pulse upon the question of "retrenchment
and reform in the pension system" and il
they could get through Congress. and did
not meet with too much disapprovsl, they
were to be followed by what the Demo.
Gratis are pleased to term, "a certiication
of the pension laws" which would con-
template q reduction OF pension sppropria-
tions to the extent of at least ope-half the
present toral pension disbursements.
These amendments proposed to transfer
the Pension Office and all its business to
the War Department, where, to use q Dem.
ocratio phrase, ''the law would be
enforced without entiment;" to reduce the
membership of pension examining boards
IL the various localities, OF which there
are thousands. to one physician. in
abolish all of the pension agencies
in the various States and 10 pay the PEN
sions by check direct from the Treasury
Department. the same as bond coupons are
paid; 10 out Oft the pensions of all persons
residing in foreign countries; TO stop the
pensions of all widows who married sol
diers since 1870. and grant no pension to
any one who had an income from whatever
source aggreGating 5000 year. The MOST
popular of all these propositions was that
transferring the pension business to the
War Department.. This has been much
talked of for years. and was supposed to be
favored by some Republicans and many
Democrats who were not opposed to pen
sions. 1t was. therefore. singled ont to-day
as the first OF the propositions to be voted
upon. 1t was defeated by vote of So yeas
to So nays. This was such an overwhelm-
ing defeat for the anti pensionists that
they did not demand the yeas or nays, nor
did they call for division OF the votes
plain that the contemp lated raid upon the
disabled veterans. their widows and or
phans was to be nipped in the bud By an
immense majority, and Mr. Cleveland'a
friends did not care TO put an exact show
ing of their weakness on record.
Some of the most extreme anti pension
lists are bitter in their criticism Of Mr..
Mutchler. of Pennsylvania, for forcing q
vote at this time upon these propositions,
believing that 1t would have been better TO
have waited till the next Congress, as the
amendments would have been thrown out
in the Senate had they passed the House.
1t may be claimed by Democrats that this
was not altogether party issue. but 10
was. All of the proDosltions were submit
ted by Democratic committee. under the
protest OF all of its Republican members.
Every Republican IN The House voted
against ell the propositions. and every
atom of encouragement given the proposi.
tions came from Democrats. The propo-
sitions can all be charged ND to Democrats
be given to the Republicans. for had it not
been for the latter the amendments would
ell have been adopted.
A SENSATIONAL INCIDENT.
The debate on the amendments was
brought to dramatic and almost violent
conclusion this afternoon. Mr.. Tarsney,
In speaking to an amendment, referred to
q speech made few days ago by Mr. Morse.
in which that gentleman. either In his
open remarks or in his copy sent in 20 the
official reporters, had stated that he [Tars-
neyl had referred to the pensioners on the
rolls as ''ruflians. thieves end scoundrels."
He had never used such Language. nor
would he ever do So He was not In the
habit of using harsh language towards
any one but IL be were compelled TO do SO
unsrld not no ha mi w N
fought for the Union, but against the men
who occupied seats on the floor and wiIl-
fully and maliciousiy falsiied the words OF
their colleagues. Applause.l He stood
here and every where. ready to respond to
any individual for his utterances. and.
therefore, he would not sneak into the
House of Representatives and, under the
liberty granted by it's rules. throw into the
official reports of the House words of Will
fioation. slander aud falsehood against his
fellow-members. Applause.
Mr.. Morse replied that be had not at
tributed TO the gentleman any words that
had not been uttered by him, rs far as be
lMorsel had understood them.
The committee By this time was expect
ing a sensation. The area in front OF the
Speakers desk was thronged by members
who were awaiting further developments
between the gentleman from Missouri and
the gentleman from Massachusetts. The
situation. however, took u new and more
serious turn.
Mr.. Morse. having yielded to Mr.. Turpin
to ask q question. the latter brought
about scene which hes not been
enacted on the floor of the House since
Mr.. Sparks, of Illinois, and General Weav'
er of Iowa, took of their coats and pro-
ceeded TO settle their differences by fist
icuffs. Mr.. Turpin inquired of the gentle
man from Massachusetts, whether he was
aware of the fact that there stood to-day
upon the pension rolls ex-soldier who
was drawing a pension of $40 month for
total deafness, who was receiving a salary
of 81 800 year and who was employed at
the telephone Laughter. Now. II any
gentleman wanted TO know the name OF
this gentleman he could tell it.
"Name him, name himm came in chorus
Mr.. Turpin-I do not know whether the
soldier ia q Democrat or Republican. but
in the light of tho present surroundings
| suppose that he is Democrat because he
comes from the doubtful State of Indiana.
IL do not believe your statement. unless
you prove it," shouted Mr.. Waugh. ad-
vancing into the area in front OF the Speak.
err desk. and then the interest became in
tense.
''The gentieman's name is William l..
DAVIS" said Mr.. Turpin. leaving his posi-
tion In the main aisle and advancing to-
wards Mr. Waugh.
Il DO not believe the statement is true.
whether you have the gentleman's name
or not" retorted Mr. Waugh.
The gentleman can doubt the statement
Dut he cannot say that i am false.' and