The Washington times., 1895-02-13
HEEIBERS WERE LGITATED
Hot Criticisms and Personalities
on Account of Old Soldiers.
PENSION OFFICE DEFENDED
Mr. Goombs Was Accused by Mr. Van VOcr-
his of Having Wheels in .His Head-Mr.
De Armond Criticised Congressional Yul-
lures and Was Called a Raven-No
Clerks for Congressman Other DOings.

The House had q turbulent session yester-
fay over the final passage of the legislative,
executive. and judicial appropriation bill.
Two OF the items OF the bill reducing the
force al tho Pension Office and providing an
nual clerks for members OF Congress excited
warm controversy.
Messrs. Pickle-, OF South Dakota, Miiiken,
of Maine. Hainer. of Nebraska, and Baker. OF
New Hampshire. protested against the reduc-
ton of the Pension Onice force. alleging that
it was a covert move TO displace cid soldiers
and widows of soldiers employed there.
The debate was diverted into financial
channels by Mr.. Coombs. Of New York and Mr..
Van Eoorhis, Of New York, vino indulged in
hot criticisms and personalities, MIR. Van
Toorhis concluding with the assertion that
Mr.. Coombs had "Wheels in his lead" The
opposition to the pension item vas not ef-
fectiye. however. aud the effort to secure
annual clerks for members aroused much per-
sonal feeling owing TO the personal Interests
invoked. II was finally deieated-yeas, ";
nays. l42. The bill was then passed.
When the House. at the beginning Of the
session yesterday. resumed consideration Of
the bill. AIr. Picker offered a substitute for
the PROVISION OF the bill relating 10 the work
ing force OF the Pension Office. The substl-
tute proposed the same force of officers and
clerks as AT present instead OF the reduced
force reported by the appropriation.
D1scHARG1Hd OLD SOLDIER CLERKS.
Mr.. Picker said the executive authorities
were afraid to assume the responsibility of
discharging old soldier clerks and were try
ing TO unload the responsibility on Con-
gress.
Mr. Milliken also spoke against this sin
sidous plan of ousting the old veterans" and
leaving them in their old age like abandoned
hulks.
MIR. Coombs defended the pension item Of
the bill against criticism. He then branched
of into a financial speech.
Mr. Bland and Mr.. Snodgrass sought to in
terpose. and the counter assertions became so
warm that Nr. Coombs, amid confusion and
laughter. appealed TO the chair for protec-
ton. Hesai1 Congress had shut its eyes to
the reco lamentations of the President.
Another uproar arose when Mr.. Van
VOorhis replied 10 Mr.. Coombs. He ar
raigned the administration for its course on
the financial question.
There was more laughter and a lively ex-
change between Mr.. Coombs and Mr.. Van
Voorhis, which could not be heard above the
confusion.
WHEELS IN Mr.. CooNBs' HEAD.
sThe gentleman has wheels in his head, .
said Mr. Van Voorhis, resuming. al had
suspected as much, but now he has proved
IT,.
Mr. Coombs joined in the general laughter
and made no further reioinder.
Mr. Bingham. a member OF the Appropria-
ti0n Committee. said the criticisms on the
proposed reduction in pension appropriations
was not justified, as il was based on plain
business principles.
A warm exchange occurred with Mr.. Baker
when that gentleman spoke OF the one-arm
q -rks at the Pension Office who were ex-
pected to do as much as twO-armed clerks.
why do you not put it in the statute if a
one-armed clerk is not to do as much as q
tWo-armed clerk asked Mr.. Bingham.
Because God Almighty has put it in His
statute declared Mr. Baker.
Proceeding, Mr.. Bingham said Mr.. Picker
could not show his devotion for the old sol
ders in any way which would not have his
(Bingham's) approval. But he did not be-
heve the discharge Of veterans was contem-
plated.
The vote was taken on Mr.. Picklers substi-
tute and it was defeated, 90 to 1872
MANY HUnoRoUs INCIDENTS.
When the bill was reported back to the
House the contest was resumed against the
provision for annual clerks to members of
Congress Mr.. Dockery pointed out that the
annual clerks would cost S355, 600 before the
next Congress actually assembled.
Mr.. Bartlett, the author OF the plan for
annual clerks. defended it. There was great
interest among members. owing to the per-
sonal concern many OF them had in the out
come.
The intensity OF feeling aroused by the
struggle brought cut many humorous incl
denis
Mr.. De Armond criticised Congressional
"VGltures'
Mr.. Bartlett resented the imputation and
declared that Mr.. De Almond was not a vul.
ture, but raven, continually croaking
''neyermore.
Mr Bartlett said his fight in behalf o.
clerks involved nothing personal to himself
as be was serving in Congress at loss of his
nuaiiv Thereupon Mr. Carulh created much
amusement by running up the aisle and
pleading that this abandoned law practice bC
turned over TO him.
Mr. Dockery finally cut of the lively de-
baie by moving the previous question, which
was ordered. A yea-end-nay vote was then
taken on the amendment Tor annual clerks
and it was defeated - yeas. IS; nays. l42
Most Of the Republicans voted for the clerks
and the Democrats against
The legislative appropriation bill was theI
passed without division.