Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-03-03
A LIVELY LITTLE TINE
In the House, Yesterday, Over a Pen
sion Bill.
MEMBERSALMOST COME TO BLOWS
But We're Prevented From Engag-
ing in a Personal Encounter
Representative Grow, of Penn
sylvania, Sworn In, and Warm
ly Greeted-A Very Animated
Partisan Debate During the
Session.

Session.
WASHINGTON, March 2.-The House
to-day entered upon the consideration
Of the appropriation bills. The fortf-
cation bill, carrying something over
50, 900, 600, was passed . in twenty-five
minutes, and then the pension appro-
priation bill was taken up. This bill
usually leads to a considerable dis
play Of political feeling, and to-
day was no exception. An alter
cation occurred between Mr.. Meredith
of Virginia, and Mr.. Funk, of Illinois,
over the formers attempt to prove that
there were many fraudulent pensions
on the rolls, which almost resulted in
personal collision. Mr.. Meredith, who
was the aggressor, rushed over to the
place where Mr.. Funk was standing,
and shook his fist in the latter's face.
Hot words were spoken, but friends IN
terfered and the Speaker restored order
before any blows were struck.
At the opening Of the session MIR.
Bankard, chairman Of the Committee
on Public Buildings. offered resolu-
tion for the appointment OF suo-com-
mittee 10 go TO Charleston and investl-
gate the postofics building there, with
view TO determining the question of
its safety, etc. Mr.. Bankard explained
the pressing necessity for examination.
The resolution carried an appropriation
of 81, 500. 1t was passed.
Mr.. McRae called up from the Com
mittee on Public Lands the bill which
mas been before several previous Con
crosses, to provide for the opening OF
certain abandoned military reservations.
After some debate the bill was passed.
On motion of Mr.. Holman, ex-Speaker
Grow, the newly elected Congress-at-
Large from Pennsylvania, was then
sworn in.
"Mr. Grow" said Judge Holman, ad-
dressing the Speaker, latter serving as
a representative from Pennsylvania for
twelve years, left the place you now so
highly honor thirty-one years ago, in the
midst of the blood and strife of civil
war. After this long period of time he
returns again to the theatre Of public
affairs when the hag OF the Republic is
honored and revered in all sections OF
the country InaSmuch as his creden-
tials have not yet arrived, l ask unani-
nous consent that he he now sworn In. "
As Mr.. Holman finished burst Of
applause greeted the tall form OF Mr..
Grow, as be stepped down the aisle to
take his place at the bar Of the House.
His hair and beard sre white, but his
eyes are bright, his form erect, and he
gives no undue evidence OF the weight
OF years which rest upon his shoulders.
Mr.. Holman escorted him to the bar
where, with uplifted hand, the oath
was administered. Another round Of
applause followed him TO his seat.
On motion OF Mr. Sayres, the House
went into committee OF the whole, Mr..
Outhwaite (Ohio) in the chair, for the
consideration OF the Notifications ap
preparation bill.
Mr.. Livingston, in charge Of the bill,
explained its provisions. The total sum
carried by the bill was 50, 2l9, 654, upon
an estimate of S7,43s,413. The fortif-
cations bill in the Ffty-frst Congress
carried S4.232, 935. Ho explained the
necessity for rigid economy.
Mr.. Bingham, OF Pennsylvania, on
behalf of the minority, said that be had
no objections to urge against the bill
itself, but IL was like all the other ap-
uropriations that would follow. 1t was
the declaration Of depleted Treasury.
The Republican side OF the House would
probably be met with the statement
that the present economy was made
necessary by the eXtravagance OF the
last Congress, and 1t would be charged
on the other hand that the proposed
unwise tariff legislation was the source
OF the poverty Of the Treasury and the
cessation Of industry.
General debate was closed and the
bill was then read by paragraphs for
amendment.
Mr. Livingston offered an amendment
providing that the civil residents OF
Fort Monre, Va, should bear one-half
of the expense Of constructing a sewer
age system at Fort Monroe. Agreed 10.
The appropriation for carriages for
field gun batteries was reduced from
SCI. 600 to SIS, 900 and that for carriages
for breech-loading rifed mortars Of p
inch cali0re was increased from $50, 900
to S75, ,OOO These we're the only
amendmeu
The Committee rose, twenty-five min
utes having been occupied in its con-
slderatiou. II was passed-70 TO 9.
The House went back in Committee Of
the Whole for consideration of the pen
sion appropriation bill. Mr.. O'Neil, OF
Massachusetts,, in charge OF the meas
ure, explained its provisions.
The bill carried for the fiscal year
year ending June 30, 1895, S14, $50
less than the bill last year. The
original estimate for the coming
fiscal year was Sl62. 900, 600, but il
mad been revised and cut down
later by Commissioner Lochren. Mr..
O'Neil argued that while the appro-
priations for pensions might waver for
a few years the maximum OF pensions
appropriations had been passed and
hereafter there would be q material re-
duction In the amount needed for pen
sions. Mr.. O'Neil took occasion ia the
course OF his speech to defend the
course Of Commissioner BOchFen.
Mr. Grout, of Vermont, followed with
an assault oE Commissioner Lochren's
action in his wholesale suspension Of
pensions
Mr.. Meredith (Dsm.. Virginia. made
rather sensational speech. He said
that he protested against making the
pension roll roll Of dishonoE in the