The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-03-08
THE PENSION BILL PASSED.
Numerous Amendments Ruled Ont on
Points of Order.

Points of Order.
Washington, March 7.-The discussion
Of the pension APPROPRIATION bill was re-
sumed in the House today. Mr.. Hudson.
Populist of Kansas, said the real reason
that the House INDUCED in this annual
debate was that the old soldier had a
vote. The discussion was continued by
Mr.. Stockdale, Democrat of Mississippi,
Mr.. Johnson, Repu ublican of Indiana, Mr..
Russell, Democrat of Georgia, Mr..
Thomas, Repu blican of Michigan, Mr..
Springer, Democrat of Illinois and Mr..
Heburn, Repu blican of Iowa. The de-
bate cook wide scope. Mr.. Springer
charged that the pension bureau was as
used by the Republic party to affect
the vote in Ohio and Indiana, which were
doubtful statesrrpolitically
Mr.. O'Neii, Democrat of Massachusetts,
in charge OF the bill closed the general
debate. The cause of the great and sud
den decrease of the issue of pension GER
tificates, he said, was the decision made
by Assistant Secretary of the Interior
Bussey in the late administration which
reduced the allowance of a certain class
of certificates five per cent. MIR. ONell
said the average monthly payment of
certificates issued in the last year of
Commissioner Raum's administration
were &c. 81, and the value of those issued
in the first ten months of Mr.. Lochren' S
administration were S10.08.
The bill came up for consideration un-
der the five minute rule.
Mr.. Bingham, Republican of Pennsyl-
vania, proposed an amendment repeating
the provision of the pension act of 1882.
that No pension shall be paid to nom
resident citizen of the United States ex-
cept for actual isabilities incurreds in
the service" which was recommended
by Commissioner Lochren. On point
of order it was ruled out.
Mr.. Hopkins Republican of Illinois,
offered an amendment giving to the
pensioners whose pensions may be sus-
pended by the Commissioner the right
of appeal to the United States court for
the district in which the pensioner lives.
This was aslo ruled out on point of or
der.
Mr. Enloe proposed an amendment con-
STRUNG the law of December 21, 1888,
as not intended to prevent temporary
suspensions where fraud was suspected.
This was ruled out
Mr.. Grosyenor, Republican of Ohio,
moved to amend by making the total APP
preparation for pensions s165, 900 in
stead of $50, 000,0 600.
M.Blair, Republican Of New. Hamp-.
Commissioner Lochren and the fiscal
officials of the bureau, that the proposed
increase should be made, but the amend
ment failed.
On this amendment debate required to
the points covered in the general debate,
particularly as to the charges that the
pension bureau was used for political
purposes.
Mr.. Mahon, Republican of Pennsyl-
yania, offered an amendment providing
for the speedy inve stigation and ad-
Indication of charges of fraud against
pensioners, hut Chairman Outhwaite
ruled it out of order. Mr.. Grout,. Repub-
lican of Vermont, offered an amendment
intended to effect the revival of the
boards reported ratings of disabilities.
This was met by the point of order from
Mr.. r.O'Neil that it changed the existing
law by restricting the right OF the Secre-
tary of the Interior to make regulations
tor the pension bureau which point the
chairman sustained.
Mr.. Grout appealed from the decision
of the Chair and the Chair was sus.
tanned.
Mr. Pickler, Republican of North
Dakota, offered an amendment providing
that all papers in pension claim before
the pension bureau shall be opensto the
inspection of the claimant or his at
torney. This was ruled out.
An amendment making reports of the
local examining board open to the claim
ants and their attorneys was offered by
Mr.. Picker and adopted.
Mr. Grow, Republican of Pennsylvania,
offered an amendment makings... the
lowest monthly pension rate for disabili-
ty $12. This was ruled out.
The committee rose and the bill was
reported to the House. The Picker
amendment was agreed to and the bill
passed without division.
The House adjourned.