The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-03
MEREDITH ON HIS METTLE.
During the Pension Debate He Takes Ex-
csptionS 10 a Republicans Remark.
PARTISAN DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE
On the Pension Appropriation Bili-The
Fortifcations Bill Passed-Honorabie
Gaiusha a. Grow sworn In.

after the storm was particularly ivliNe"
bic in the appearance Of the House this
morning The galleries were comparative
~ deserted. and the floors were almost
bare Of members. A general air Of list
lessncss marked the demeanor Of the two
or three score Republicans in their seats
They did not even seem to be interested
in their mail or the morning papers. in
which they made a pretence of engaging
themselves.
Mr. Bankhead Dem, Ala.), chairman OF
the Committee on Public Grounds and
Buildings. asked the consideration Of a
resolution, authorizing the committed
either in whole or by subcommittee. e
investigate the question OF the erection
Of new public building at Chicago
with permission TO hold sessions i'm chi
cago If deemed necessary, all expenses {,
be limited TO $780, to be paid from th'
contingent fund Of the House. He eX
planned the necessity OF making the IN
yestigatiOn, the committee having beer
unable 20 reach conclusion on the sub
ject from the reports Of experts and ar
chitects now before II. The resolution was
agreed to, after being amended so that
only a subcommittee should be authoriz-
ed 10 proceed to Chicago.
At the request OF Mr.. DOckery Dem,
Mo- the report OF the Auditor Of the
Worlds Fair. showing receipts and eX-
penditures. was ordered 10 be printed In
the Record. 10 complete the COngressi0n-
al history Of that affair.
Mr.. kilgore 0eXas) offered his resolu-
tion originally introduced Wednesday, re-
lating 10 the enforcement Of the law di-
recting the Sergeant-at-Arms to with
hold the per diem Of members for alb
sences, except on account of sickness.
and Il was referred 10 the Committee on
the Judiciary
MIR. McRae Dem. Ark). chairman Of
the Committee on Public Lands. report
ed, claiming it 10 be privileged under the
rules. % bin regulating the disposal by
the Secretary Of the Interior Of aban-
doned military reservations.
Mr. Sayres Dem, Tex. chairman Of
the Committee on Appropriations raised
the question Of consideration against the
report I'm favor Of the forthcations bill,
but, by vote OF so to 81. the House de-
cided 10 consider the land bill
After explanation and some debate by
bin was passed without q division.
\ New tOid) Member.
An interesting incident marked the pro-
ceedlngs at this point Taking a place
In the centre aisle. Mr. Holman the
Father of the House." addressed the
Chair. He said that thrty-One years aeO
the Hon. Galusha A. Grow had LEFT the
place now filled with so much honor by
the Speaker at a period when the coun-
try was in the throes OF civil war. Now,
after this long period. Mr. Grow return
ea 20 the Housc. having been elected
last week a representative at large from
the state Of Pennsylvania. DE asked
unanimous consent that Mr. Grow, who
was present be now sworn in. the
certificate OF the Governor not having
yet arrived.
There was no objection. and leaning
upon the arm of Mr.. Holman. the ven
cradle eX-speaker appeared before the
bar and the oath was administered 10
him by Speaker Crisp. His seventy years
did not appear tO sit heavily upon
him, and his bearing was as vigorous as
that shown IN his portrait. which has
for many years adorned the corridor OF
the hall AT the conclusion OF the cere-
mOny there was a gentle round OF ap-
plause. and members crowded about him
TO grasp his hand and welcome the new
old member into their midst. After pay
ing his respects 90 Speaker Crisp, Mr.
Grow took a seat at the extreme left
OF the Chair between his judgely-faccd,
black-haired colleague Mr.. Adams, Of
Pennsylvania, and Mr. Quigg. the youth
ful member from New York. and the
three made a pleasant and striking pic
ture.
The routine Of proceedings was re-
sumed. and Mr.. BOatner Dem, La.) en-
10 secure consideration for the
resolution agreed upon by the Committee
on the Judiciary. directing an inyestiga-
ton OF the injunction issued by Judge
jenkins, forbiding the employees Of the
Northern Pacific railroad TO strike against
the schedule Of wages promulgated by the
receivers. Mr.. Kilgore objected, demand
ing the regular order.
The Foriifcations Bill Passed.
The House resolved itself into commit
tee OF the whole and took up the fortifca-
tions bill The appropriation carried
In the bill, as reported, amounted 10
& 2ly, G5l, being S5,2lS,759 less than the
and 50 j99 more than the total
)f the last fortifcations bill. Debate was
confined 10 brief statements by Messrs.
Livingston (Ga), and Bingham (Rep.,
Pa). The latter said. that waving until
a more important bill shall be presented,
discussion of the question whether the
legislation OF the Fifty-ilrst Congress. or
tariff legislation by this Con-
gress. is the cause OF the present financial
distress for himself and Republican assO-
ciates on the committee, he desired TO in
form the House that the general features
Of the proposed bill had their approval.
Under the nve-minute rule amend
ments recommended by the committee
were agreed TO as follows; Assessing
lne-half the expense OF CONSTRUCTING
leverage system at Fort Monroe, Va,
against the Hotel Company and other
1on-military residents on the reserva-
ton. reducing from S6i 900 10 $4,000 the
for carriages for field gun
,afteries. increasing that for carriages
or twelve-inch breech-lOading fiiied
nortars from $1,000 10 5000; that for
.xpenses Of ordinary officers while en-
,loyed on constructing from 5000 TO
) OO0. This made "A total increase or
3 900 In the amount as reported.
The bill was then reported TO the House,
he amendments agreed to. and the bill
vas passed.
Pension Appropriations Bill.
The House again went into committee
I the whole on the pension appropriation
i'll This bill carries an appropriation
r Sl5l so SO for the year lS9i-'s5, against
stimates of slG2. .Bi $40 and an appro-
riation for the present year OF Nsl.oSl,-
ID.
The debate on the bill soon became p2-
fical and heated. and from that 10 per
onai. Mr.. O'Neil 1Dcm.. Mass)' chaiF
ian Of the subcommittee Ia charge OF
he bin. made statement covering 'ns
lovement OF the total Of the pension r'i
rac.uf wears. TO show why the pro- |