The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-03-08
Sl5O,0OO,OOO THIS YEAR.
Iha! Amount Is appropriated by
the House to Pay the
Pensioners
Doubtful States Get Much of It,
Largely for Political
Purposes.
Orators In Poor Businsss Try
ing 60 Discredit Gen. black aud
Comm issiOnsr Lochren.

WAsHNGros. Match I'm the houss the
senate joint resolution was passed for the
appointment Of q commission TO the Ant
werp International exhibition. The house
then went into committee OF the whole on
the pension appropriation bill. After brief
speech by Thomas. republican, OF Michi-
Rsn, Mr.. Springer. democrat, Of Illinois.
took the floor in defense Of the policy Of
the pension office. lie wanted 20 know
why Illinois, having more population than
Ohio. had but 6S.O00 pensioners receiving
S11.0l9. 900, while Ohio hal l02.98l rem
sioners receiving Sl7326. 900. la Indiana
100000 il distribnted 60 each congress
sionAl district, in Ohio 1856. 900. while In
Illinois but 2510.0 is distributed to each
distriot. lie attributed this state Of affairs
10 the fact that the pension office had been
mode political machine BY the republican
party. Illinois was certain for the Tepub-
lioan party, while Indiana and Ohio we're
doubtful. Pension cases we're settled in
doubtful states. while those from solid
states were pigeon holod.
March. Of Illinois. explained the dis
eriminaiion by pointing out that in
Kansas. which sent but fifteen regiments
into the field. there are 1900 pensioners
O.d soldiers from Illinois moved west to
Kansas and other states.
O'Nsill, democrat. of Massachusetts
who Is In charge Of the bill, closed the de-
bate. He said the debate was largely for
political effect. The republicans. as they
saw the limit Of pensions is soon TO be
reached, realizsd that their stock in trade
would cease when they could no longer 60
before the country crying out that they
had increased the number OF pensions. Ia
concluding, Mr.. ONeill warned the repub-
leans that they we're in poor business when
they saw ht to discrsdit Gen. Black and
Commissioner Loohrsn In the eyes OF old
soldiers. Neither could they discredit the
president with the Amoricsn people. 1hev
had absolute faith in his honesty. his pluck
and hia courage. Applause.
Al three o'clock general debate closed
under ths agreement reached yestofd
aud the bill read for amendments and de-
bate undsr the Eve minute rule.
Bingham. OF Pennsylvania. Enioe. OF
Tennessee, and Hopkins, Of Illinois, offered
amendments which were declared out OF
order as not being germane. GrosvenoF, Of
Ohio. offered an amendment TO increase
tbs appropriations for pensions ca rried by
the bill from $780, 900. 000 20 $l65 900, 600,
which was defeated without division.
Gen. Henderson, republican, OF Iowa
then got the hoer. He was panied beyond
measure. he said. to find the house divided
il we're a war measure. Gen. Black,
who deserved every generous word that had
been spoken concerning him. stood here
with a bOqHet OF rhetoric for the soldiers
in one hand and dagger 10 strike him to
the soul in the other. ''Ohl my county,"
said Mr.. Henderson. Addressing the demo-
- "a ba hn 4 q
shoulders in the cause of the upion can do
more harm TO his o.d comrades than all
those who fought under the confederate
Gag. Mark the contrast presented
by that other distinguished sol
der, Gen. Sioklss republiesn applause
Who fearing not she thunder of the exscu-
tive OF the cruel heel Of patronage, stands
for the soldiers with whom ne fought.
Scare are honorable. but must not be used
as cloak from behind which TO strike
equally honorable men. This debate shall
not close without my crying shame!
shamer az the soldier who sought TO dis
credit his comrades In arms"
Enloe replied 10 Gen. Henderson, espec-
tally as TO his structures on Gen. Black, who
was absent, and then. after some further
debate by Springer. Lacey and others,
Mahon. of Pennsylvania, presented an
amendment declaring n pension a vested
right. Okeill made the point that the
nmendmsRt was not gsrmans. and the point
was sustained.
Picker of South Dakota, offered an
amendments TO make the reports OF sxamin-
ing su gsons opens TO the inspection OF
attorneys aud applicant. Agreed 20.
Grow. of PennsFlvania. offered the last
amendment. providing that no pension on
account of disability in service should
be less than 3l2 per month. With this
amendment as text he made = brief
speech, his hrst since his return 20 the
house. which he left thirty years ago as
speaker. Mr.. Cows roma ks bubblsd over
with patriotism and glowed with the FIRE
CT eloQnence. The members listened TO his
words with close attention and a burst of
applause from both sides of the house
greeted its conclusion.
The bill was then reported 20 the house
and passed without division.