The morning call., 1894-03-08
RHETORIC AND A DAGGER.
Lively Talk Over the Pension
Appropriations.
BOTH SIDES HAD THEIR SAY.
After Much Argument and Amend
ment the Bill Finally Passes
the House.

WASHINGTON, March THE Senate
joint resolution for the appointment of
commission to the Antwerp International
Exhibition passed in the House to-day.
The House then went into committee of
the whole on the pension appropriation
bill.
After a brief speech by Thomas of
Michigan. Springer of Illinois took the
floor in defense of the policy of the Pen
sion Office. He wanted to know why Hi
nois. with more population than Ohio. had
but 6S, 0C0 pensions, receiving $11,0l9.000
while Ohio had 1922 S1 pensions, receiving
ST., $3.50 In Indiana $780, 600 was dis
trbuted to a Congressional district in
Ohio $500, 900, while in Illinois but $780,
900 was distributed to a district He at
tributed this stale of affairs to the fact that
the Pension Office had been made a politi-
cal machine by the Republican party. ILL.,
nois was certain for the Republican party,
while Indiana and Ohio were doubtful.
Pension cases were settled in doubtful
States, while those from solid States were
pigeonholed.
March of Illinois explained the discrim-
ination by pointing out that in Kansas,
which sent but fifteen regiments into the
field, there were $4,000 pensioners. Old
soldiers from Illinois moved west to Kan
Sas and other States.
O'Neil 3D. of Massachusetts, who is in
charge of the bill, closed the debate. He
said the debate was largely for political
effect. The Republicans. as they saw the
limit of pensions soon to be exhausted.
realized their stock in trade would cease
when they could no longer 60 before the
country crying out they had increased the
number of pensions. In concluding O'Neil
warned the Republicans that they were in
a poor business when they saw fit TO dis
credit General Black and Commissioner
Lochren in the eyes Of old soldiers.
Neither could they discredit the President
with the American people. They had alb
sOlute faith in his honesty. his pluck and
courage. [Applause.l
At o'clock the general debate closed
under the agreement reached yesterday.
and the bill was read for amendment and
debate under the five-minute rule.
Bingham of Pennsylvania, Enloe of
Tennessee and Hopkins of Illinois offered
amendments, which were declared out Of
orderEas not being germane.
%Grosveuor of Ohio offered an amendment
to increase the appropriation for pensions
carried by the bill from $4,000 600 to
S165. O00, 900, which was defeated without a
division.
General Henderson of Iowa then got the
floor. He was panied greatly, he said. to
find that upon a measure which ought
to inspire every patriotic heart the
House was as divided as if it was
a war measure. General Black. who
deserved every generous word that had
been spoken concerning him, stood here
with bouquet of rhetoric for the soldier
in one hand and dagger to strike him to
the soul in the other. "Oh. my country"
said Henderson, addressing the Democratic
side, she who wore stars upon his shout
ders in the cause of the Union can do more
harm to old comrades than all those who
fought under the Confederate flag. Mark
the contrast presented by the other dis
tinguished soldier. General SIckles Re-
publican applanse1, who. fearing not the
thunder of the executive nor the cruel heel
Of patronage, stands for the soldiers with
whom he fought. Scars are honorable.
but must not be used as cloak from be-
hind which to strike equally honorable
men. This debate shall not close without
my crying. Shame, shamep at the soldier
who sought to discredit his comrades in
arms"
Enloe replied 90 General Henderson,
especially as to the structures on General
Black. who was absent. and then after
some further debate by Springer. Lacey
and others Mahon Of Pennsylvania pre-
sented an amendment declaring pensions
vested right. O'Neil made the point the
amendment was not germane, and the
point was sustained.
PicRler of South Dakota offered an
amepdment to make the reports of exam.
ming surgeons open TO inspection of attor-
neys and the applicant. This was
agreed to.
Grow of Pennsylvania offered last
amendment providing that no pension on
account of disability in the service should
be less than So per month. With this
amendment as text he made a briel
speech, his first since bis return to the
House. which he left thirty years ago a:
Speaker. Crows remarks dubbed ovel
with patriotism and glowed with the FIRE
of eloqueuce. The members listened t.
his words with close attention, and burs
of applause from both sides of the House
greeted their conclusion. The bill was ther
reported to the House and passed withon
division. The House then adjourned,