St. Paul daily globe., 1894-03-06
DEBATING THE PENSIONS.
Continued From First Page.

been ITO convictions of pension claim
agents for manufacturing testimony in
pension cases.
He had read letter from Commits
sioner Lochren, under date of March 5,
1894. saying that there were between
5000 and 10000 pension cases at present
under Investigation where there was
strong presumptive evidence of fraud.
Mr.. Tawney (Rep., Minn.) continued
the debate in opposition to the pension
policy of the administration. =
Mr.. Baldwin (Dem.. Minn.) gave
humorous description of the war dogs of
the other side; Mr.. Dolliver, who was
only preventing from charging on the
Serried ranks Of rebellion and of having
himself enshrined on the pension roll
by his tender youth; Cannon. whose old
age thirty years ago enabled him TO
escape the draft. and Pickler, who now
refused to smooth the front Of grim
visaged war.
I'm the name of God and suffering
people," he concluded, ''let us have
peace" Laughter and applause.
r. Cannon concluded the debate for
the afternoon. In the course of his
speech he drew Gen. Black into most
subtle colloQuy. Mr.. Cannon's purpose
being to
COMMIT GEN. BLACK
to the latter's opinion of Mr. Cleveland's
pension policy. All his finesse, how
ever, availed him not. He first asked
Gen. Black whether, when he was COM
missioner of pensions under the former
Cleveland administration. the presi-
dents pension vetoeS did hot originate
i'll the pension office.
Gen. Black answered frankly that it
was the custom of the president when a
private pension bill was passed to send
it to the commissioner of pensions for a
statement of the facts in the case. By
him it was referred to the proper
division for the official statement of
facts. When 1t was returned to him he
examined the case, gave his opinion as
to whether the claimant was pensiOna-
Ole under the general law, and his gen.
eral impression as to whether the bill
should be vetoed. 1t then went back to
the president, and he vetoed it or not,
as he chose. AS to the matter of the
dependent pension bill vetoed by Mr..
Cleveland. he had no recollection as to
whether it was referred to him or not.
Il am to understand then that you
IIiooA oOu oil tiS PCpolOH tCtOcS VI IuT.
Cleveland"' asked Mr.. Cannon.
"YOu seek to understand that, t,"replie1l
Mr.. Black, because you wish to clinch
conclusion you have already reached. -
Mr.. Cannon then sought by questions
to drive Mr.. Black into a positive ex-
preston as TO whether the latter in
dorsed MIR. CIeveland's former pension
policy, but Gen. Black refused either
by direct question to divulge what had
taken place between himself and Mr..
Cleveland when he occupied a conf
Dental relation TO the president.
At last, being unsuccessful, Mr..
Cannon sought to get an expression
upon the present pension policy.
Gen. Black replied rather shortly that
he declined TO be treated as witness
any longer. He had already given his
opinion OF the Democratic idea of pen.
SionS.
''The country" replied Mr.. Cannon,
''cares not three hurrabs in hades what
the Democratic party thinks; what it
would like to know is whether the pen
sion policy of Grover Cleveland is Just
one. L believe my colleague (Gen.
Black) does himself au injustice when
he seeks to make his own magnificent
war record cover a malicious and
wanton attack upon his comrades"
The committee then rose and the
house at 5:45 adjourned.