The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-03-15

ness of the pensioDer has been judically deter
mined may here and there involve some little
loss to the Government, but l am satisfied the
amount will be small much smaller than is
asserted by those who falsely claim great frauds
to have been practiced in pension matters !;
and it is infinitely better that this condition of
affairs should exist than that any deserving
pensioner should be Inundated harassed.
delayed. and inconvenienced-aye, sir. and
distressed by Withholding from him the pension
money which he ought to have in his pockets,
with which to obtain the necessaries of life.
Mr.. Thomas Mich, r. said that IL this dis
cussion the division has been strictly partisan.
In so far as | know the advocates of the policy
which ieoPardizes the rights of these veterans
are confined to the Democratic party. Gentle
men may say this is a mere coincidence; but
the careful student of American history en-
counters too many condolences to be satisfied
with the explanation.
series of condolences establishes a rule.
Turn over the pages of the Congressional Record,
and wherever you find an opposition vote to
any beneficial law for the soldier you invari-
ably find Democratic vote. And l will go
one step farther, and say not law upon which
pension appropriations for the last war are
based originated with the Democratic party.
1t was custom among the Greeks to infict
a penalty on the prosecutor who failed to MAIN
tain his charges. If we had such law here
and many SANDER suppressed through fear.
There is every reason to believe that this charge
of fraud is exaggerated. First, because it is
vague and uncertain; and, second, because it is
not made where it can be investigated.
1t is safe to say that the pension-list is a roll
of honor. 1t is from the muster trolls of thou
sand battlefelds from Charleston to Appomat-
tox, from Shiloh to Gettysburg, from the Ohio
to the Gulf from the Atlantic to the Western
plains, that a grateful Nation has gathered
names to adorn its pension-roll.
Mr.. Springer charged that the Pension Bu-
reau had been used by the Republican party to
affect the vote in Ohio and Indiana, which were
doubtful States politically. Illinois averaged
neither many pensioners nor so much paid
per pensioner per district as did both the States
named.
The general debate was then brought to
close by Mr.. O'Neil, in charge of the bill.
He reviewed the various speeches by Repub-
lcan members. and replied to their several
criticisms of, and charges against, the Bureau.
The close of Mr.. ONeiPs speech was eulogy
upon the character and services of Gen. Black,
the ex- Commissioner; Commissioner Lochren;
Secretary Smith, and President Cleveland;
and he declared the bill generous expression
of the Democratic party on the subject of PEN
sons.
The bill then came up for consideration
under the fve-minute rule and for amend
ment
SEVERAL AMENDMENTS
were read and presented, including Mr.. Enloe's.
but were defeated either by points of order or
without division.
Mr.. Henderson Qowa r. said: / have
been panied not little during this debate that
a measure which should. inspire the heart and
receive the Endorsement of every American
citizen divides this House almost as radically
as though we were discussing some great war
measure, and as though we represented here