The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-01-12
FIGHT The WAR OVER.
A Lively Tilt in the House Over
Pension Bills.
Grew Out Of Attempt to Pension
General McClernand.
BILL is WITHDRAWN.
Clark Says Defeat is Due to
Hostility to Pensions.
BILL is WITHDRAWN.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2.-Yesterday
was private bill day in the house. but
only one bill was considered-a claim
of the heirs of William johnson OF
Fayette county. Tennessee, for 3d.
600 worth of stores con6scated during
the war. Three hours were con-
sumed in debate, but on account of
the opposition the bill was finally
withdrawn. Before the regular order
was demanded, nine bills were passed
by unanimous consent Most of them
were of minor Importance. the most
important being to amend the shipping
act of August 10, 1890, so as to elm
mate some of the penal provisions OF
of that act which had proved nduly
harsh in their application to seamen
on board vessels engaged in the
coastwise and nearby foreign trade.
Another bill was passed to protect
the salmon fisheries of Alaska.
The feature of the night session of
out of the attempt of Mr.. Springer
(Dem., I'D to pass a bill granting
500 a month to Ma jor General John
A. McClernand. Mr.. Jones (Dem.
Va.) insisted upon making the point
of no quorum. Mr.. Springer. in a
heated speech, 1ectured those of his
Southern Democratic colleagues who
constantly assumed an attitude of
hostility toward the pension of Union
soldiers. He called attention to the
fact that but thirteen Democrats had
been re turned to the next house from
the North. He warned them that if
their course was persisted in, none
would be returned to the succeeding
congress. Mr.. Pence Pop, Col
in an earnest speech, appealing
to Mr.. Jones to withdraw his
point, spoke of the well-known dis
tinguished patriotic servic es of Gen
eral McClernand, when Mr.. Waugh,
Republican, Indiana, threw a bomb
shell into the discussion by asking if
the beneficiary of this bill was not
the same General j ohm A. McClernand
who was relieved from command be-
fore Vicksburg by General Grant for
unsoldierly conduct and of whom
General Halleck said it was premedi-
tated murder to place him in COM
mand. The attack on General Nc
Clernand came from an unexpected
source, and Mr.. Marsh, Republican,
Illinois, and others FASTENED to his
defense. Mr.. Marsh declared holly
that General McClernand had never
been guilty of unsoldierly conduct,
and the history of the transaction
would show that be had not been re-
moved by General Grant for that rea-
son.
The discussion was prolonged for
more than an hour aud was marked
by several sensational scenes, one of
which was the kissing of Mr.. Jones
when he said that the widow of Gen
eral John A. Logan, who received a
pension of So, 600 a year, was living in
social luxury in this city and annually
spent more than her pension money
for flowers displayed by her at her
social functions. Later on when he
proclaimed his pride in the Confeder-
ate cause that had gone down in de-
feat, the Republicans in chorus
shouted: ''We have no doubt of it,
but in the galleries many of the spec
tators applauded vigorously
Mr.. Springer was finally forced to
withdraw the bill. But even after
the bill had been Withdrawn Mr..
Champ Clark, Democrat of Missouri
got the floor, and in characteristic
speech scored Mr.. Jones roundly as
he said on behalf of his Democratic
colleagues of the North. He began
by saying the Democratic party pre-
sented a dissolving view, and would
soon be lost to sight, though to mem
ory dear. He attributed much of the
0lSdSleF 1dSb lall 10 Tie
course of the Southern Denocra is on
the pension question, and charged the
defeat of at least five Northern Demo-
Gratis to the speeches of Mr.. Jones.
He then paid magnificent tribute to
McClernand.
After appealing to Mr.. Jones to al
low this meritorious bill to go throue b
he turned to him and said Impress
ively that the Democrat is of the North
were sick and tired of having their
Southern party associates come to
congress and stab their party in
the back. I'VE are through with
you" Mr.. Clark concluded
After passing two bills. the house
at 1920 adjourned.
No bride should commence housekeep.
ing without supply of DR.. Prices Bak-
| ing Powder. It's boon to beginners.