Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-01-23

and for the coinage of the silver bull /
lion in the treasury
Washington, D. c.. Jan. 1.-THE /
house spent today in further debate /
upon the pension appropriation bill /
The speakers, with single exception, /
were republicans, and all favored a
liberal administration of the pension I!
laws proposed by the bill. Among the
speakers was General john A Walker,
who served with distinction in the con-
federate army from Manassas to Az
pOmattox. He is the only republican
representative from Virginia. His as
surance of the good feeling that ex-
listed in the south toward the union
soldier, and the lack of hostility to-
ward the pension system was warmly
received on both sides of the house.
Mr.. Cummings dem, n. V created
mild sensation by a severe arraign-
ment of the pension office for hostility
to the old soldiers and a stirring re
pudiation of the speech made yester-
day by Mr.. Bartlett, who is one Of the
Tammany congressman from New
York. The speaker announced the ap-
pointment Of the Chickamauga Park
commission as follows: Messre. Gros-
venor (Ohio), Keifer CMinnesota),
Strong Ohio, Avery CMichigan), Bow
ers California;, Republicans; Wheeler
(Alabama), Cox CTennessee), Maddox
and Crisp Georgia., Democrats.
Washington, Jan. Ex-senator Sher-
man presented an adverse report
on the bill prohibiting citi-
: zens of the United States
from accepting any titles, decorations,
I ETC., from foreign nations. He said
, there appeared to be no need for the
proposed legislation and the consider
, alton of the bill was indefinitely post
i poned. He reported favorably On
I joint resolution appropriating $4,000
I for the expenses of the commission
: engaged in fixing the boundary be-
+ tween Alaska and British America
, and it was passed.
Mr.. Mills (dem., Tex then took the
floor in support of his resolution con-
corning silver and bonds. After Mr..
Mills had finished, Mr.. PETER spoke
at some length on the bond bill.
On motion Of Mr.. Bowers (rep., CALI
bill was passed in the
house authorizing the Sec
rotary of the interior, under regula-
tions to be fixed by him. to permit the
use of the right of way upon public
lands for the purpose of generating
electric power
George B. Mcclellan was declared
elected from the twelfth district of
New York
A free home bill, making actual
residence on railroad land grants I'M
necessary while the lands have been
fenced and improved, was passed.
The house then went into commit
tee of the whole on the pension bill
Mr.. Mccall rep, TENN believed the
pension laws are good, but are not
enforced in the proper spirit. Mr..
! Hanley rep, Ind favored an amend
ment providing for the restoration of
pensioners dropped from the rolls. Mr.
Hardy rep, Ind thought the debt to
soldiers never had been paid and IA
vored more liberal pensions Mr.
Lacy rep, Iowa) predicted that the
104, 1000 cases of pensioners dropped or
suspended from the rolls by the pres
ent commissioner would be reviewed
by the next administration and many
of them restored. He asked that
nothing be done to prevent review by
one commissioner of his predecessors
work, Mr.. Mines rep, Mich.) wanted
every soldier who served ninety days
to have a pension. Mr.. Grow (rep.,
Pa opposed the idea of communica-
tons being sent to the house by the
president and cabinet officers for the
purpose of creating legislation and re-
ferred to a letter sent by the president
to Mr.. Catchings. "This house." he
said, should resent any attempt by
the president or his clerks to dictate
! legislation