The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-06
paid out Of the money provided by the
tarin laws.
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tlfin laws.
Cannon Questions Mr. Back.
Mr.. Cannon Rcp., I'D. said the gentle
man from Illinois Black. the former
commissioner OF pensions. had stood on
the floor Of the House and. IT seemed
to him. acted as the attorney for the
Democratic party IN its pension policy
Ia his speech last Saturday he had
told OF the magnificent charge Of the
present Commissioner Of Pensions at
Gettysburg; ana. 70 seemed 10 him, that
the gentleman was endeavoring 10 have
the record Of Commissioner Lochren
spread over the pension policy and the
unfriendliness Of the administration 10
the pensioners He would like 10 know
whether the gentleman from Illinois
was in favor OF the pension vetoes which
Mr.. Cleveland made during his first ad-
mlnistration.
Mr.. Black said the bills vetoed came
to him from the President through the
Secretary OF Interior and were by him
referred 10 various divisions for report.
lie had them sent back 10 the Secretary
~ the Interior with reports, sometimes
giving opinions whether the bills should
be vetoed.
More questioning by Mr.. Cannon failed
TO get the desired Information from Mr.
Black. who declined 10 bctray what hc
believed 10 be confidential relations be-
tween the President and the Commission
or Of Pensions (himselO. To one answer
Of Mr.. Black Mr.. Cannon SAID: "Then.
my colleague does endorse the veto Of
the private bill. but not the dependent
pension bills"
You understand something | have not
said. was the reply. but you have
determined 10 make me say" daughter.
Mr.. Cannon persisted that the gentle
man had not answered his question as 10
whether he favored the pension policy Of
the first Cleveland administration. and
Mr. Black repeated that he could not an
swer until permission had been given him
boy the President or the law had provided
for the removal Of the confidential re-
lauons under which he was placed with
regard to his official connection with the
President.
Cannon Sharply Rebuked.
Mr. Cannon wanted 10 know what his
colleague thought Of the matter as an in
divldual. not as a former Commissioner of
Pensions. lie saw nothing wrong I'm that
'Your estimate Of duty under given cir
cumstances might guide you. ii would not
guide me-"
"Wiil my colleague tell me whether
the Vetoes were written In the Pension
Office or i'm the White House, asked Mr.
Cannon.
81 trust the gentleman will not persist
I'm that line Of questioning after what |
have said said Mr. Black.
Mr.. Cannon did not want to embarrass
his colleague. but he would Ike his ques-
tion answered. he said: and Mr.. Black
replied, amid great applause from the
democratic side. that II was a question
of personal delicacy and decency.
Then Mr.. Cannon made some reference
TO the embarrassment he had caused Mr..
Black, followed by a few other remarks
about Mr.. Blacks refusal TO answer his
question:
This brought Mr. Black again 10 his
feet with the declaration. which he de-
livered with much feeling, that he de-
clined any longer TO be placed in the posi-
ti0n Of a witness. 10 be badgered by the
gentleman from Illinois
"The gentleman declines 10 answer. "
said Mr.. Cannon. THE people OF this
country don't care three hurrahs I'm hades
about what he thinks they want 10 know
about the policy Of the administration
on the pension question"
Mr.. Cannon devoted the rest OF bis argu-
ment TO citing cases of deserving pen
siOners, many of whom had received their
injuries from disease and not bullets. and
he declared that the President was doing
pendent pension act, which he had once
vetoed.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Cannon's re-
marks the House. al $3.50 o'clock. ad-
journed uH tomorrow"