The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-03-08

needed for pensions. There are on the
rolls OF 1898, 966,0l2 pensioners. The
annual increase has been steadily de-
creasipg. The first year after the act
OF $780, IA, 900 had been added to the
roll; the second year $1,000; the third
year 1000
MFR. O'Neil took occasion in the
course of his speech to defend the
course Commissioner Lochren. In re-
ply to inquiries he said that he believ-
ed the amount carried by the bill
would meet the demands for all Just
pensions.
Did | understand you to say that
there were many fraudulent pension
ers on the roll ~ asked Mr.. Picker.
You did not understand me to say
ANYTHING of the kind ?" replied Mr..
O'Neil sharply.
well, say it." interposed Mr. Mer-
edith, Democrat, Virginia, and | will
give you proof in the morning"
Mr.. Groat, Vermont, followed with
an assault on Commissioner Lochren's
actions in the wholesale suspension of
pensioners. He concluded with a
glowing tribute to the valor, bravery,
and patriotism of the Union veterans.
Mr.. Meredith made rather substan-
tial speech. He said that he protested
against making the pension roll a roll
of dishonesty, in the name of a state
that had paid three times as much for
pensions as Vermont.
"That's because there are more of
you," suggested Mr.. Groat.
But we get no benefit" retorted
Mr.. Meredith.
"That's because you were on the
wrong side" suggested Mr. Johnson,
Republican, Indiana.
whether a man is patriot or a
REBEL" retorted Meredith, depends
upon the result. Success makes a pa.
triot of him who makes rebel of
himself. That was the case in 1876"
Mr.. Meredith went on to cite cases
which he said made him believe there
were thousands and thousands of
fraudulent pensions on the rolls. Dur
ing the progress of his speech he de-
nounced the Republicans for refusing
to vote when the seigniorage bill
was up.
why did not you count u.s." asked
Mr.. Reed.
eff they had put me in the chair"
replied Mr.. Meredith, II would have
administered you your own medicine;
| would have counted you" Repub.
lican applause. Later, in referring to
the same cases in the state of the negro
pensioners, Mr.. Meredith said that
only negroes got pensions in his coun-
try:
"That is because they are the only
people who were loyal" said Mr.
Baker, Republican, New Hampshire.
According to your idea of loyalty, y
replied Mr.. Meredith, there was no
loyal men in my country, and am
proud of it.n
Toward the end of Mr.. Meredith's
speech most exciting scene occurred
which almost ended in q personal en-.
counter between him and Mr.. Funk,
, Illinois. Mr.. Meredith was still talk
ing about fraudulent pensions and
was having an animated alteration
with Mr., Baker of New Hampshire
over case which came under his
(Meredith's) personal observation
where a Union soldier was obtain
ing pension for disability
which he (Meredith) claimed
he did not have. "lf
can Judge from fact that man seems
healthy and strong" he said, "but ye
he gets pension by reason of disabil
, ity. When we see him day by day
week by week, year by year, in my
} plain, homespun country way o
, speaking, say he lied when he wen
{ before the officials and swore that HI
, had been crippled in the army"
Il want to say if the gentleman
honest" interrupted Mr.. Funk, Re
! publican, Illinois, rising in his place
land stating what he believes to be thu
/ truth, if he does not make the cast
| known to the proper authorities, he il
not good citizen"
3 l want to say this, replied Mr.
Meredith: IF the gentleman under
$ takes to insinuate that am dishonest
if the gentleman undertakes"- =
l without completing his sentence, Mer
edith quit his place to the right of the
3 speakers chair and hurried over t.
= where Funk was standing in a sid'
= aisle to left.
II did not say So" said Mr.. Funk, al
: Mr.. Meredith advanced toward him il
, threatening manner.
? "You had better not say So" return
9 ed Mr.. Meredith, still advancing VI
UlO n pCloOllcbl ShSOohuOi "S
4 imminent, members crowded dowr
D about the belligerents amid the mos
= intense excitement and confusion. The!
= were both talking at the same time
/. Finally Meredith clinched his fist ant
= shook il under the nose Of his adver
!. sary. By this time Funk, who hat
s previously displayed no feeling, shout
4 ed out something about Standing b.
Y what he had said" Meredith agail
assumed a threatening position
: but members who crowded arounC
l gently took him by the shoulders AM
il as if to prevent the blow from beini
: struck. All this time Mr.. Cultivate
a who was presiding on the committe
;. was pounding vigorously for order
Q but without effect, and Speaker Crisp
: who had been hurriedly sent for
the rostrum and assumed
e THE gavel, as he is allowe'
d under the rules to d
e when the house is ia com
IS mittee of the whole in times o
great disorder.
II undertake to say that you are no
e my keeper" shouted Mr.. Meredith
n as he was backed down the aisle b
friends.
: 81 stand by that proposition,
If shouted back Mr.. Funk, who was hel