Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-02-13

The Proposed Amendments 10 Pension Laws
Debated at Length.

WAsH1SGroN, Feb. l2.--The general de-
bate in the House Saturday on the proposed
pension reform amendments ran on through
the day yesterday.
The interest of members in ihc'dscussiun
Of proposed reforms has strengthened them
so that Representatives D'Neii apd Mutch-
Ter, who have special charge of tltom, are
encouraged 10 believe that some at least of
them will be adopted, especially that provid-
ing for the transfer of the pension Office
fIom the interior department TO the war de-
partment.
If members of the House would vote as
they think, regardless of all fear of the
'sollicr vote all the amendments pro-
posed BY the committee would undoubtedly
be adopted. Immediately after the formal
opening this morning the House in commit
tee of the whole resumed consideration of
the invalid pension appropriation bill.
An attempt was made to come TO some
conclusion as to the limitation to be placed
upon the general debate, bat the attempt
was a vain one. The Republicans OBJ
jected. As voiced by their leaders on this
questlon--GrCut of Vermont and Lodge of
Massachusetts--therv views was that the bill
was TOO far-reaching TO be dismissed after
few hours discussion. So Mutchler of
Pennsylvania. in charge of the bill, moved
that the committee rise, and this motion
was agreed TO.
Then Mntchlcr moved that general de-
bate terminate st , o'clock today. and on
fhs n ,tion demanded the previous ques-
ton.
Burrows of Michigan then started tire fl
ihustering. lie moved a recess until 3
i,ft f'l,iS hour ia not s,tt St.sr,a cf
| Pennsylvania. who moved an amendment,
fixing the hour for the termination of Che
recess ut $50. But this was not enough
for Payne of New York who suggested, as
m amendment, that I o'clock woul' be the
proper hour.
Then Pickier of South Dakota thought
the House might do well to adio m, but bis
motion to that effect was supple nented by
/ Payne with one that when the House ad-
| journs today it be to meet on Tuesday next
And so the fibustering motions were
t cinelied.
| The latter motion was lefeatsl--veas.
o; niys. l0--and then Mutchler. Welding
/ 10 the inevitable, Withdrew his motion for
limitation of debate The diIa.ory mo-
tions were also withdrawn, and again the
| House resumed in committee the eousidera-
/ lltff' VI tfbt NfUNttb appropriation blIf
| Curtis of New York aud Harris of
Minnesota opposed the proposed amend
meu,s of the pension laws. Ou the other
hand. Livingston of Georgia approved them.
/ sn'l he lid so as Southern man. The
Republican administration, which was
about to 90 out of power, had appointed a
Southern Democrat to position in the
United States supreme court. It was re-
I Al. IL l.. a.,
would appaint Republican as secretary of
-tate. With such generosity oa the part of
the outgoing and incoming administrations
he supposed that a Southern ex-rebel would
at least find the sympathy of his Republi-
can friends when discussion of the deli
| cate question was entered upon.
| Speaking for Southern men, be sail that
it was MT ever intended to repeal the PEN
sion laws; but he, az Southern man, re-
constructed, under his esuntry's flag and
under his oath to support the constitution,
would vote for The amendments 10 the pend
! ing bill.
The time was corning when there would
he reed of reform. No man would suffer
more under the present pension sys,em than
the veterans who had tough, fokthe Union.
II the present pension abuses we're con-
timed the time would come when ths
masses of the people would go to the other
extr~me, and the old veterans would be in
I jgresl. Southern men were not opposed to
pensiou;ne Union soldiers. Long ago tha,
question had bsen settled, not only As
+ proper, but as iustifabie-
The committee then rose, and public
business having been suspended, the House
pIid It's due need of respect to the memory
of tine late Edward f. Mcdonald of Sew
Jersey English Of New Jersey laii upon
the grave Of his deceased colleague his t:ih-
: ute Of eloquenee. He was followed by
tie;ssenhamer. Bergen and Cadmus OF Neu
Jersey. Campbell. Cummings and coyer
of New York and Newberry Of Illinois
and shen, as mark of respect 20 the mem
cry of the deceased, the House at 4.l5 p
". adjourned.