The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-01-15
THE GALE BEGINS.
Populist Senator's Start in on Their
Silver Oratery.
THE HOUSE BOND BILL is BEFORE
THE SENATE.

To-day Mr.. Peffer Will Have His Innings
Spirited Debate on the Subject of Pen
sions for Soldiers Widows-The House
Considers the General Pension Appro-
priation Bill.
Washington, January IA private
pension bill granting SIS month to the
widow of Brigadier General William
Coggswell of Massachusetts, of the yolnn-
teer army, gave rise to some discussion
in the Senate today.
Mr.. Hill, Democrat of New York, in
quired as to the usual rate of pension al
| lowed in such cases, and was informed by
Mr.. Gallinger of New Hampshire, who
had reported the bill, that there was no
rate established by law, but that under
special acts. pensions we're allowed all
the way from $50 to $500, s75 beirg the
average rate.
Mr.. Allen, Populist of Nebraska, pro-
tested against the higher pensions given
to the widows of officers than were given
to the widows Of private soldiers. He
thought that the discrimination was a
piece of nam by -pambyism and funkey-
ism.
Mr.. Allen was replied to by Mr. Haw-
ley, Republican of Connecticut, who said
he would not characterize Mr.. Allen S
remarks as he would like to. but he in
formed him that the uniformity he adyo-
GATED was absolutely impossible. There
were grades of rank which the world rec
ognized, whether the Senator from Ne
braska did or not.
Mr.. Hoar Of Massachusetts, also W
gued against Mr.. Aliens views and
eulogized the late Gen. Coggswell, who
served all through the war, took part n
the most famous battles, came out with
the rank of brigadier general and died
as Representative in Congress. He
asked Mr.. Allen whether ne would vote
alton bill to make Gen. Miles's compeu-
sation $13 4 month or to raise the pay of
private soldiers to SIS, 600 year.
Probably. Mr.. Allen retorted. S1S a
month would cover the value of General
Miles's services in some instances
Mr.. Hoar repelled the suggestion, with
some exhi ibltion of feeling, and reminded
for his services as Senator, while some
humble neighbor of his got only seventy
five cents day. (Laughter.)
After some further discussion, Mr.
Thurston. Republican of Nebraska, made
his maiden speech in the Senate. In a
very impressive tone he said: My
father fought and died private soldier,
&c. l. -. 49, l1fA
needy and destitute as any widow of that
great conflict. From fifty years, and
down to xtreme old age, she drew from
the government pension OF S8 month
stand here today, on this floor, the son
of that father and Of that mother, deeply
sensible OF the scant and pitiful justice
done by this country to the survivors of
the late war, and to their widows and
orphans. And will never seek to re-
duoe pension reported by the pension
committee for the widow of any man
who fought for his country / would
gladly uso the figure in this bill as an ar
gument why the pensions of every other
soldiers widow in the country should be
increased. Rising here for the first time
| in my place In the Senate of my country,
go on record as being in favor of every
pension to every widow of soldier of the
Republic. and as being opposed to any
reduction OF a pension which commit
tee of this body sees fit to recommend
The discussion wasssoohtinued and grad
ually became more excited. A motion to
reduce the pension from $75 to $50 a
month was made by Mr.. Allen, who
spoke IN support of that motion az did
also MI. Faulkner, Democrat Of West
Virginia, and Mr.. Villas, Democrat of
Wisconsin. 1t was oppose by Mr.. Lodge
of Massachusetts,, who spoke of Gen.
Coggswell as man who had very bril-
liant record, the youngest brigadier of
the American army. who was in the SER
vice from the beginning of the war to the
end. who was always in the field, had
| country in civil life, and who died with
clean hands and without q dollar.
| The consideration Of the bill had occu
pied an hour and a quarter wnen the
Senate proceeded to vote on Mr. Aliens
| amendment to reduce the pension from
$75 to $50 month. The amendment was
rejected; yeas. 23; nays, SO. All the Re.
and the Democrats in the affirmative,
with the exception Of Senators Call of
Florida, Hill of New York, Mitchell of
Wisconsin, Palmer of Illinois, Roach of
North Dakota and Voorhees, of Indiana.
| The bill " as then passed. the rate of
$40 a month being retained.
| Mr. Mills, Democrat of Texas, offered
resolutions declaring that the outstand-
| ing *s&NN
LEGAL TENDER NOTES
shall not be retired, cancelled or funded
into interest bearing bonds; but be kept
in circulation; that the whole of the Sill
ver bullion now in the Treasury shall be
coined as rapidly as possible;
that whenever there is deficit