St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-03-04

Commissioner by Inscriptions
Republicans - Discussion Of
the Pension Policy in the House
WASHINGTON, March 3.-An clio
luent tribute 10 the bravery at
Gettysburg of Commissioner Lochren.
and vigorous defense of the pension
policy of the Democratic party by Gen.
John G. Black, the commissioner Of
pensions under the former Cleve-
lana administration, were the sole
things that enlivened the proceedings
of the house today of absolute tedium.
After yesterdays exciting colloQuy,
which forced the house to adjourn,
lull was natural, and it came today,
for not member showed the slight
est disposition to stir the embers
of the war and create i'll feeling. The
house is well up with it's work. and.
after tame session of little over four
hours. during all of which the pension
appropriation bill was under discussion,
adjourned with the bill still before the
house.
WASHINGTON, March 3.-ln the house
today two rivate bills were passed by
unanimous consent, one on motion of
Mr.. Richardson (Tennessee) to pension
Fannie f. Norman, and the other Oh
motion of Mr.. Curtis (kanSas) to pension
Andrew Franklin, captain in Capt.
Armstrong; company in the war of
1912. Mr.. Bryan, of Nebraska, asked
unanimous consent for the considera-
ton of bill approDrlating $4,000 to
reimburse the state of Nebraska for
expenses incurred in repelling a threat
ened invasion and raid by the Sioux
Indians in 1890 and 1891. on the occasion
of the Messiah craze, which eliminated
in the Wounded Knee fight. Mr.. Say
ers objected. Mr.. Haugen, of Wiscon-
sin, asked unanimous consent for the
consideration of a bill authorizing the
Duluth d Superior Bridge company to
construct bridge across the st. Louis
river between Wisconsin and Mime
sofa. Objection was made.
The house then went into committee
Of the whole for the further considera-
ton of the pension bill. Mr.. Picker,
of South Dakota, again took the floor
and made vigorous speech in behalf
of a beral pension policy. The old
soldier, his widow, his children and his
grandchildren should have justice, he
said. Gen. Black. of Illinois. ey-com-
missioner of pensions, followed Mr..
Picker, whose kindly speech, he said.
might almost be adopted as declara-
ton of principles by the house. While
was true that there was no praise for
Union soldiers that would not find an
echo OH the Democratic side,
THE ASSAULT OF MIR. CIRCUIT,
speaking for the Republican minority.
could not be overlooked. Mr.. Grout
MIR. Black SAID. had laid down three
propositions. First, that the pension
office was unfrieudly to the soldiers,
AMI second, that it was inimical to their
rights, and third, that the Demo-
cratic side was hostile to the
Union soldier. TO these PROPOSE
tons he desired to address himself.
In 1892 3l1,000 claims were allowed,
an average of 100 pension certificates
issued daily. In the final adjudication
one clerk passed on 2,4OO cases In
month, or one Ill every four minutes.
After he had made this record he was
promoted. Thousands OF cases were
adjudicated on three papers: First, the
pensioners application; second, the
date of entering and leaving the army,
without stating whether he was honor
ably or dishonorably DISCHARGED; third.
the medical examination. There was
an entire neglect of the great requisi-
ton of the law. that the condition. of
the applicant should be shown not to
have been the result of his own vicious
habits. This was the sort of skeleton
work which produced such enormous
results. He did not say this in critl-
cism. only to show the methods that
obtained. 1t was impossible. except bv
the interpretation of a miracle. to avoid
gross and extensive errors with such
methods.
MIR. Black went on to cite a case of q
Northwestern regiment which went