The National tribune., 1894-03-08

luTNbu 10 Tue ilOuSS, HahlbE OGSn SiCSbOo io0S
week Representative-at-large from the State
of Pennsylvania. He asked unanimous con-
sent that Mr.. Grow, who was present, be now
sworn in. the certificate of the Governor not
having yet arrived. There were no objections,
and the venerable ex-Spcaker appeared before
the bar leaning on the arm of Mr.. Holman. He
took the oath, which was administered by
Speaker Crisp. Mr. Grow wore a Prince Albert
suit, and tail collar and black stock of the
style of 10 years ago. He docs not look 40
years old, and his bearing is vigorous and firm.
The friends of the soldiers in Congress,
though there are only a few of them left"
are fully aroused 10 the dangers that beset the
boys in blue The other day Representative
Taylor lind. D. introduced a resolution in
the House, reciting that there is reason to
believe that certain officials aud employees of
the Medical Division of the Pension Bureau
are and have been making false reports of
evidence i'll pension cases to their superiOrs in
Office in order to secure unjust decisions in
cases" The resolution calls for an investiga-
ton and report of the names of the persons
making false reports 1t was referred to the
Committee on Invalid Pensions.
4
The policy of suspending pensioners under
lies much contention that has been taking
place lately in the House Committee on Invalid
Pensions. Charges have been brought forward
by Republican members that the Commissioner
is persistenty ignoring the act of last De-
eember. These statements backed by specific
eases were called to the attention Of the House
by Representative Tawney in tie resolution of
inquiry regarding the construction placed upon
the law ly the Interior Department. Chair
man Martin. of Indiana, has intimated that if
these charges can be sustained, an ironclad
resolution or act should bc passed to force the
Department to carry out the views of Congress
III its policy.
One day last week there was hot discussion
in the House Committee over Representative
Picklers proposition TO throw open the files of
the Pension Bureau to pensioners and their at
torneys for examination. Since it WAS to be such
a hard fight TO get justice, was Mr. Pickler's
argument, the pensioners should not be made
to fight in the dark. Certain other MEM
bers of the committee who are believed to
be in touch with the Bureau. pretended that
this would make additional work for the clerks
and create confusion among the files. After
display of much feeling both sides, the ma
jerity voted against the bill, and unfavOr
able report will be made.
Il
The House Of Representatives has been sar-
castically called the bear pit" However
ho 1ccar.yaI -
rlatte- of opinion, but certainly it was a char
acteristic scene that was enacted last Friday on
the floor OF that chamber. An exchange of
blows at one moment seemed unavoidable
Mr. Elisha i. Meredith, the Firgiuan whose
ire was aroused on account of supposed imputa-
ton upon his honesty. is a big. burly man,
nearly six feet in hight and in the prime of life.
He is native Of Alabama He WAS presumably
too young to enter the rebel army, although
hosts of Union men tonight for their country
at tenderer age than he was when the war
broke out But his sympathies, as his language
in the debate which preceded the outburss
are with the rebel element that still exists in
the Old Dominion The man at whom lie
shook his fist. and who would not recede from
the position lac had taken. was Mr.. B. F. Funk,
the Illinois veteran. sstroug-siuewed. well-built
man of 80, who heard the rebel yell and whistle
of bullets while member of the GSth Ill. If
the matter had been settled instead of the
combatants being separated, the result would
have been doubtful.
4
It is odd that in these days of the continual
denunciation of the cigaret and its smoker,
there should be found one high in the councils