The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-04-28

WASHINGTON, April 6.-IWenty'one
private pension bills passed. tells the story
of the davs work in the house. Mr. Hep
burn of Iowa, who has been harasslng the
Democratic side daily for week to force
action on these pension bills, hnaily sue
ceeded today, through the aid OF Mr..
Picker, of South Dakota, who has been
acting with him, and the bills were passed;
The beneficiary of one of the bills, an oid
lady of 81. totally blind, the widow OF q
soldier of the war of 1872. had died since
her bill was reported from last Friday
nights session. When it was read and
about to be placed on its passage, MI.
Taylor of Indiana interrupted by saying:
Never mind, Mr.. speaker, that bill can
be laid aside; the old lady is dead"
The members who had been chatting
and laughing stopped. There was mo
ment of silence. The relief for which the
old lady had been striving SO long was at
hand, but, like many other congressional
claims, 1t came too late.
The clerk paused, and then went On
reading the next bill The remainder of
the day was devoted to the consideration
of private bills.
The evening session was also devoted to
pension bills.
The usual monotony of the Friday night
session was broken tonight when the
members were in a rancorous temper, the
lies passed and two mem rrS were Called
to order for unparliamentary language.
Mr.. Talbert Dem. S. CD, who has been
trying for several weeks 10 get into the
record a series of articles on the subject of
pensions, repeated his attempt tonight
All his requests were refused.
Mr. Picker Is ID. J, was particularly de-
termined in his opposition. Both gen
tlemen showed signs of temper.
THAT is the most slanderous attack on
Union soldiers ever published" said Mir.
Pickler.
1.-The gentleman is talking of something
he knows nothing about" shouted MIR.
Talbert.
1.-THE gentleman from South Carolina, ]"
continued Mr.. Picker, lis only trying to
SANDER Union soldiers"
Il say" said Mr.. Talbert, in loud tones,
shaking his fist aloft, "the gentleman has
uttered a falsehood, pure and simple"
Instantly dozen members on the Re-
publican side were on their feet and MIR.
Hepburn called Mr.. Talbert to order and
demanded that his words be taken down.
They were read from the clerks desk, and
after some wrangling Mr. Talbert WAS
given permission TO explain. Mr.. Taltert
began his explanation by stating that he
IVES sorry be was obliged TO say what he
had, but it was true. He would withdraw
what he bad said, however, if Mr.. Picker
would withdraw his remarks.
The tone of the South CarOlinian's eXpla-
nation did not seem 10 suit MIR. Baker Rep.
Y. h }, who declared that the explanation
was fully as offensive as the original Ian
guage, and he again called Mr.. Talbert to
order.
AT this juncture there was an effort to
pour oil on the troubled waters, and on
motion Mr.. Talbert was allowed to pro-
coed. He had no further explanation to
make. however, and took his seat, when
MIR. Picker arose and made a statement
which again kipdled the flames of parti-
sanship. The paper which printed these
articles, he said, was continually SLAM
dering and viilifying the soldiers.
The gentleman from South Carolina"
be added, turning toward Mr.. Talbert,
has slaudered and viIlifed them every
Friday night. That is bis object, and /
hold il in utter contempt"
Mr.. Livingstone dem. Ga }, jumped to
his feet, and in turn called Mr.. Picker to
order. After his words bad been read
from the clerks desk, Mr.. Martin Qnd.) },
moved that Mr.. Picker be permitted To
explain.
Il don't want to explain" shouted Mr..
Picker. 81 stand by what have said and
have nothing to take back"
At this point the counsel OF cooler heads
prevailed. The excitement subsidized and
without further incident the house pro-
ceeded and disposed of nine pension bills,
five of which were favorably acted upon.
The point of no quorum was then made
aud after call of the house, at 11:30 ad-
iourped