The morning times., 1896-12-19
GUARDING THE TREASURY
Republicans in the House Care
full Of Expenditures.
DEFICIENCY BEFORE THEM
Mr.. Mahon in Opposition Says
Towns Devastated During the
War Are Yet Coming to Ask That
the Loss BE Made Good d-Laugh
at Mr.. Reed.

The Republican party. on account Of the
growing deficiency in revenues, has de-
veloped several watch dogs of the Treas
ury" who bid fair to rival Mr.. Holman,
or Indiana. Among these are Messrs
Cannon, Dingley, and Lacey.
1t was private bill day yesterday and
Mr.. Dingley set himself firmly against
number OF claims. He opposed the
addition OF fifteen folders at SO a month
for the House work, and it was defeated.
He said that with a deficiency of $40 ,OOO,-
900 in the government revenues, expenses
must be cut down at every turn.
Later when bill was up simply looking
to the investigation OF claim he urged
that it was an entering wedge. The
claim was for loss sustained in ''the theater
Of war" as the legal phrase goes, and
il the door was opened to such demands
there was no limit to the amount that would
be required TO pay the losses by the civil
war.
BORDER STATE WAR CLAIMS.
on tue other ha nd Mr Mahon, announced
that demands for losses by raids In the
border States were yet TO come for set
tlement by this country. His words
opened up a prospect as yet little con-
sidercd by the people of the United States.
AT 2;4o O'Clock the House went into
Committee Of the Whole on the private cal
endar. The first bill was for the relief
OF Thomas b. Reed, and the name was
greeted With round Of applause. 1t
proved to be, however, not a claim OF the
Speaker for extra pay or anything else,
but a demand from PENNSYLVANIA ser
geanu of the same name, who wants $500
for services rendered.
The lii was laid aside with favorable
Recommendation, and when it came up
for passage there was a double round of
laughter and applause
DEBATED A PRIVATE BILL.
A number Of other private bills were
discussed and four were passed one Of
these, TO repay Swedc $500 which he
paid for a substitute in 1862, provoked
much discussion
Mr.. Cannon opposed it. Mr. Mahon OF
Chambersburg, Pa, made an earnest ap-
peal for the payment of the claim. He
said the statute of limitations ought not
be allowed TO run in such case. This
country could afford TO pay the debt it
owed those who, while loyal or neutral
suffered loss in the great conflict for the
preservation OF the Union. After the
Franco-P russian war the people of France,
impoverished as they were, paid $40, 600,
900 To citizens who had lost their private
property In the conflict.
Other nations dealt generously with
sufferers in such cases. This country
had pail only a pitiful 81 900 900 to the
people who. living along the border line
OF 5000 miles where they were subject
to ravages from both sides, had suffered in
a way that no one living out OF that sec
ton could appreciate.
HAD ONE HIMSELF
My own town and county were sacri
feed in that day he said, when the
Confederate raiders were threatening fhe
City of Washington and the life of the
government. 1t was by the order of the
President and it was right. But it is not
right for one citizen, or one section, 10
bear such a disproportionate share of the
burden OF war. We are coming here some
day TO ask this government TO make good
the loss to our county,
The House wavered upon the vote 10
pass the bill. Upon a division il was lost
but when tellers counted 1t was carried.
Another claim favorably acted upon was
that OF George McAlpin, a sutler who sup
piled goods to the Army of the Potomac
1t was for $4,000, due for percentage
on supplies. McAlpIn died here about two
months ago, and the money, if paid, will
go to his legal represe Mt at ives. The
House reduced the amount TO $2,250.
AT the night session of the House four
teen pension bills were considered and laid
aside with a favorable recommendation
At 10:30 the House adjourned.