The Indianapolis journal., 1893-02-12
THE PENSION DEBATE.
4 Soutberner Argues for Reform, and In
troduccs n Little Politics

4 Soutberner Argues for Reform, and In
troduccs n Little Politics.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 1.-THE session of tho
House to-day was without result. The at
tempt of the Democrats to limit the timo
for debate on the pension appropriation
bill was firmly resisted by the Republicans,
and the strong minority came out victori-
Gus. The result was that. without termina-
tion of general debate. the House ad-
iourned.
The House resumed, In committee of the
whole, consideration of the Invalid pension
appropriation bill. An attempt to limit
debate gave rise TO tilibustering move.
ment. led by Mr. Burrows. and the motion
Tor limitation was withdrawn. Mt. Curtis
and Mr.. Harris opposed the proposed
amendments TO the pension laws. On the
othsr hand. Mr.. LIVINGSTON approved them,
and he did so as Southern man. The Re-
publican administration, which was about
TO go out OF power. had appointed q
Southern Democrat to q position on
the United States Supreme Court. 1t was
reported that the incoming administration
would appoint q Republican as Secretary
of State. With such generosity on the part
Of the outgoing and incoming administra-
tious. he supposed that q Southern OK re bel
would at least lind the sympathy of his
Republic friends when a discussion of u
delicate question was cred upon. Speak
ing for Southern men. he said that it was
not even intended to repeal the pension
laws; but he. as Southern man, recon
strncted under his country's tlaR and under
his oath TO support the Constitution, would
vote Tor the amendments TO the pending
bill. The time was coming when there
would be need OF reform. No man would
suffer more under the present pension sys-
tenn than the veterans Who had fought for
the Union. Ii the present abuses were con-
tInued the time would come when the
masses Of the people would go to the other
extreme and tho old veterans would be
injured. Southern men were not opposed
60 pensioDing Union soldiers Long ago
that question had been settled not only
as proper but as justifiable. He then pro-
eeeded TO argue in favor OF the transfer of
the Pension Bureau from the Interior to
the War Department.. he was frank to
say that under General Blacks administra-
tion the bureau had been influenced by
political considerations; he was frank to
admit that political influence was powerful
to-day under the administration of Com
missioner Raum. This political influence
destroyed the whole organization.
Then Mr.. Livingston made a suRgestion
which Mr. 0rout controverted. III" he
began. but Mr.. Livingston interrupted the
question with the remark. The heavens
may fall Areyop willing to 40 into Mr..
ClevelanPs Cabinet7 What do you think
of thatP Loud laughter, tn which Mr..
GTout pleasantly contributed.
Said Mr.. Fellows (sotto vocel-Mr. Ding
ley, so far as Mr.. Cleveland's Cabinet Ia
concerned. no Republican 10 safe. and tho
personal friends and political foes indulged
In hearty Inugb.
The committee then rose, and. public
business having been pended. the House
paid It's due need of respect 20 the memory
OF the late Edward +. Mcdonald of New
jersey. and adjourned.