The herald., 1896-01-15
The CoggsweIl Pension Bill
Passes the Senate
MILLS FINANCIAL POLICY
POpuIist Butler Seeks to Prohibit All
Bond Issues
The House Wrestes With the Questions Of
Pension Appropriations-A Long
Debate Is Likely
Associated Press Special Wire.

today, but without appreciable approach to
q conclusion of the debate. Mr.. Butler of
North Carolina spoke for two hours in op-
position to bond issues and in favor of sill
yer legislation. The early hours of the
session brought out an extended contro-
versy over pension Determinations. Mr..
Lodge sought to pass the bill granting a
pension to the widow of General Coggs-
we'll, but Mr.. Allen led vigorous opposi-
l ion, claiming that the widows of generals
a ere being unduly preferred over the wild
otvs of the plain soldiers. The bill was
fin ally passed.
Mr.. Mills offered resolution declaratory
of q ne policy of the government against is
suin, bonds, favoring the speedy extinc-
ton # the national debt and for the COIN
age oa the silver bullion in the treasury.
The bill granting pension of S75
month ly to the widow of the late Brigadier-
Genera Coggswell, a representative in
coneres from Massachusetts at the time
of his de 'ath, caused long debate in the
senate t. day. Hill and Mills wanted in
formatio as to the system pursued in
granting these special pensions.
Mr.. Ala n of Nebraska, Populist. opposed
discrimina tions, saying. II want to go on
record as O, opposed to any distinction be-
tween the " idow of private soldier and
that of brig adier-generals, majer-generals
or any other generals.
ssIt was til g plain private soldier,n he
added, sswho met the brunt of the war. To
hear the senat ors talk, it would be thought
the brigadier-q, 9neralS won the war. 1t was
q species of nanuby-pambyism and fiunkey-
ism, un-America'n Discrimination
Mr.. Hawley of Connecticut, Republican,
suggested the world recognized questions
of rank, even if the Nebraska senator did
not, and while eulogizing the plain soldier,
he pointed out the mortality among officers
UNI than that the in
the ranks.
Mr.. Hoa- asked if Aliens logic would
lead him to approve of placing the salary
of General Miles, commander of the army,
1t $13 per month.
SIT would doubtless measure the value
of his services in many cases." answered
Alien.
MIR. Hoar asked if the Nebraska senator
did not pocket $4,000 year while some
poor constituent made only rs cents a
day.
replied Mr.. Allen aggressively, and added
that sen, ,tors talked as though God made
some dis tinction between tae soldier and
ssThen W, 10 made the distinction?n re-
Piled Mr.. H. awley.
Allen.
Mr. Thursto n, Republican of Nebraska.
made his maio en- speech in the senate in
support of liber, Il pensions, anil eloquently
portrayed the Sc rvlces of his deceased IA
ther as plain sol der He urged that the
war heroes have Il 'e ampiest Tensions;
ing its allowance REQ uced, sho uld serve to
advance the allowance 9 of tho Sc who served
in the war.
Mr.. Thurston expressed satisfaction that
his first words in the senate should be in
support of pension.
NJ tho W nIIl i,,Ixr
show full Justice in granting pensions, but
he pointed out that certain peculiar infu-
enees prevailed, resulting in discrimina-
tions in pensions to widows of officers,
which bore severely on the O Id soldiers and
they felt it.
The suggestion of 'specular infiuences''
was hotly resented by Mr.. Lodge.
Mr.. Allen disClaimed all purpose of at
tacking the widow, and added that it was
only when the blue blood was touched that
Lodge grew eloque1
A motion by Alien to reduce the allow
ance to $50 was not agreed to-2S to So
the Democrats, with some exceptions, sup
porting the motion, and all the Republi-
cans voting against it. The bill was then
passed without division.
The Associated Press bulletin announc-
ing the election at Columbus, O., of MIR.
Foraker to the United States senate was
received in the senate and started a buzz of
comment. Mr.. sherman read the bulletin
and nodded his head approvingly. Mr..
Brice was not present.
A new phase of the financial situation
was presented by Mr.. Mills, in the form of
. resolution giving seven declarations of
policy, substantially as follows:
First-Against the retirement of out
standing legal tender notes.
Second-Favoring the coinage of the sill
yer bullion in the treasury.
Third-Tbe issuance OF emergency legal
kny,dor n of a 1Ptioianoy
Fourth Against the Understanding
bonds.
Fifth-Establishing policy of the United
States in paying obligations in both gold
and silver.
Sixth-Repudiating the theory that a pub
lie debt is public blessing.
Seve uth-Urging the rapid extingnish-
ment OF the national debt and the MAIN
tenance of the sinking fund therefor.
Mr.. Mills resolution went to the table
until TOM orrow, when he may make some
remarks u Don it.
A bill gr anting to the Atchison and Ne
braska Raj lroad company and the Chicago,
Burlington and Quincy Railroad company
. right of " ay across part of the Sac and
Fox Indian reservation was passed.
Senator Nelson introduced bill placing
Interstate ra ilroads which have been char
tered by act of congress under the jurisdic-
ton of the sta ties they enter, so far as con-
oerns the cor troll of the tolls, rates and
fares charged, regardless of charter pro-
visions to the ontrary.
Senator Lodg introduced an amendment
70 the fortifcah ons appropriation bill, au-
thorizing popui ar 8 per cent coip loan of
100000, 200, th e proceeds to be used in
providing for the defense of the coast, the
manufacture of guns and the erection of
forts and batteries.
The senate Pacific railroads committee
decided to take up the various Pacific rail-
road bills on Monday next. The commit
Tee probably will grant hearings, and
among others will have the Union Pacific
Yeorganization committee before them.
The bond silver bill was taken up at .
o'clock and Mr.. Butler, Populist of North
Carolina, offered an amendment prohibit
ing the issuance Of interest bearing bonds,
and directing the secretary of the treasury
to pay in gold or silver according to the
market values of the coins.
Mr.. Butler spoke in opposition to bond
Issues.
IL would not do, he said, for either the
Republicans or Democrats of the senate 10
ovade the responsibility by saying it had no
& majority.
II PLEDGE said he. ..six Peoples party
Quality