Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-03-03
FUSS ON THE FLOOR
Two House Statesmen Nearly
Come ito Blows.
VIRGINIA AND ILLINOIS IN ARMS.

mated Debate aasi Neredith Of Virginia
d flooded" Cor the Fray-Fank OF mi
sess Mskes . Remark and an Old Do
1isses Fist Shakes Undcr . Prairie st, .
Noss-Ns Bloodshed.
WASHINGTON, March S.-The hous. has
entered upon the consideration of appro-
priation bills. The fertilization bill, car
rying something over &, 0OO. 600, was passed
in TWENTY-FIVE minutes and then the pen.
sion appropriation bill was taken up. The
ell usually leads to considerable display
III political feeling, and this one was no
exception. An alteration occurred be
tween Meredith Of Virginia and Funk Of
Illinois over the formers attempt to prove
that there were many fraudulent pensions
on the rolls. which almost resulted in a
collision. The trouble began when O'Neil,
who had charge of the bill Ind was ex-
planning it, took occasion to defend the
course Of Commissioner Lochrea. In re-
ply to inquiries he said that he believed
the amount carried by the bill would
meet the demands for all just pensions.
Mer~aith Eager for the Fray.
did / understand you to say tina, there
were many fraudulent pensioners Gu the
rolls." asked Pickler.
"iou did not understand me 20 say any
thing Of the Kind" replied O'Neii sharply.
We'll, say it," interpo>ed Meredith of
Virginia. land will give you proof in the
morning"
Grout of Vermont followed with an as.
ssnlt on Commissioner Lochren's action
in his wholesale suspension of pensioners
He concluded with glowing tribute to
the valor, bravery and patriotism of the
Union veterans.
Meredith made rather a sensational
speech: He said that he protested against
making the pension rolls roll of dishoncr
in tie name of a state shat had paid three
times rs much fo- pensions as Nernsont
Some Reason. and some Retorts.
That's because there are more of you,"
suggested Grout.
But We get no benefit" returned Mere
dith. That's because you were on the
wrong SIDE" suggested johnson OF In
diana
whether man is n patriot or rebel"
retorted Meredith. depends upon the re-
suit. Success makes patriot of him
whom defeat makes a rebel of. That was
the case in 1ss6n Meredith went on to
cite cases which he said made him believe
that there were hundreds and thousands
of fraudulent pensioners on the rolls. Dur
ing the progress of his speech me de-
nounced the Republicans for refusing to
vot. when the seigniorage bill was Ups
why did you not count u.s." asked
Reed.
''lf they had put me in the chair" re-
piled Meredith. Il would have admins
tered to you your own medicine. would
have counted you" Republican ap-
plause.
Il am glad to find there is one man of
some sense CT that side" retortcd Reed.
tLaughter.l
AFact Meredith Is Proud of.
Later in referring to some cases in his
state Of negro pensioners Meredith said
that only negroes got pensions in his coun-
try. THAT is because they are the only
people who were loyal said Baker
According TO your idea OF loyalty" re-
piled Meredith, there were no loyal men
In my country and l am proud of it." It
was toward the end of Meredith's speech
| that hOstilities nearly took place and a
personal collision was barely averted be-
tween the Virginia man and Funk of Hi
nois. Meredith had cited a case that came
under his own observation where a vet
eran was receiving pension for a disabil-
| ity he did not have.
Speaks In - "f'lain. HOme~Pun" Way.
IF can judge from the fact that man
| seems healthy and strong" said he, land
yet gets pension by reason of disability,
| when see him day by day and week by
week and year, in my plain, homespun,
| country way Of speaking l say that be
lieve that the man lied when he went be-
fore the officials and swore that he mad
| been crippled in the army