Evening star., 1896-01-14
That Subject Occupies the Attention
of Both Houses.
DEBATE ON THE QUESTION OF RANK
The Regular Appropriation Bill
Continues in Discussion.
MR.. MILLS FINANCIAL POLICY

to the widow Of Brigadier General
Coggswell Representative in Congress at
the Q e of his death.
Mr.. Hill and Mr.. Mills wanted information
as to the system pursued in granting these
special pensions.
Mr.. Allen CNeb.) opposed the discrimina-
ton shown in these pension allowances.
There was no rule, he said. The other day
a $50 allowance was made to the widow of
brlgad1er general, and now widow who
Is without family was to be allowed $75.
Il want to go on record" said Mr. Allen,
as opposed to any distinction between the
widow of the private soldier and that of
Dflgadler generals, major generals or any
other generals
Mr.. Allen said it was the plain private SOL
dier who met the brunt of the war. To hear
Senators talk it would be thought that
brigadier generals won the war. 1t was
species or namby pambyism and funkey
lsm." 1t was an un-American discrimina-
ton.
Questions of Rank.
Mr.. Hawley (Conn.) suggested that the
world recognized questions of rank even If
the Nebraska Senator did not. 1t recognized
the difference in rank between the Senator
from Nebraska and some country lawyer.
While eulogiziEg the services of the plain
soldier. Mr.. Hawley pointed out that the
mortality among officers was greater thap
that among men IN the ranks.
Mr.. Hoar asked If Mr.. Aliens logic would
lead him to approve placing the salary of
Gen. Miles, commander of the army, at $13
per month, the rate paid private soldier.
'It would doubtless measure the value of
his services in many cases. answered Mr..
Allen
Mr.. Hoar asked if the Nebraska Senator
did not pocket 5000 year. while some
poor constituent made only 10 cents a day"
AT least 1 pocket no more than 5000"
replied Mr.. Allen suggestively.
Except your mileage added Mr.. Hoar.
Mr.. Allen said these Senators talked as
though God made some distinction between
the soldier and the general.
Then who made the Distinction" asked
Mr.; Hawley:.
Mr. Thurston [Neb) made his maiden
speech in the Senate in support of liberal
pensions. He spoke in resonant tones, and
with force which brought out ripple of
applause as he closed. He eloquently por-
trayed the services of his deceased father
as plain soldier. He urged that the fol-
lowers of Grant and Sherman and other
heroes of the war should have the ampleSt
pensions. This bill, instead of having it's
allowance reduced, should serve to advance
the allowance of all who served in the war
Mr.. Thurston expressed satisfaction that
his first words in the Senate should be In
support of pension.
Mr.. Villas said the Senate would certainly
show full justice in granting pensions
But he pointed out that certain peculiar
influences prevailed resulting in discrim-
nations in pensions to widows of officers,
which bore severely on the old soldiers, and
they felt it.
MIR. Lodges Sharp Reply.
Mr.. Lodge sharply resented Mr.. Villas
suggestion of peculiar influences" He de-
clared that Mrs. Coggswell had never
sought pension, nor had her friends She
had sought employment. He Uodge) had
himself urged this allowance as a matter
of common Justice. He was amazed at
these attacks and covert suggestions. This
widow asks no pension concluded Mr..
Lodge emphatically, but Massachusetts,
asks it for her"
tacking the widow. The Massachusetts,
Senator Uodge) was never heard passion
ately in behalf of the plain soldier, but
when the blue blood was touched this
Senator grew eloquent.
A sharp and at times amusing colloquy
occurred between Mr.. Hawley and Mr.
Allen as to where the officers We're during
the battles Of the war. Mr.. Allen insisted
at elevated points. At times they were
three miles in the rear doing stab duty
Mr.. Hawley contended that officers were
not expected to be in front of their ranks
when volley was to be fired He chal-
lenged Mr. Allen to name one instance of
an officer remaining three miles In the
rear on stab duty
roll call was had on Mr.. Aliens mo-
ton to reduce the allowance to $50. The
amendment was not agreed to. 1896, the
democrats, with some exceptions, support
ing and all the republicans against.
The bill was then passed without divi-
sion.
Foraker's Election Noted.
The Associated Press bulletin announcing
the election at Columbus, Ohio. Of Mr..
To he mi ia uo
received in the Senate and started buzz
Of comment among the Senator's Mr..
Sherman read the bulletin and nodded
his head approvingly. Mr.. Brice was not
present.
MIR. Mills Seven Declarations.
new phase of the financial question
was presented by Mr.. Mills in the form Of
resolution giving seven declarations of
policy, substantially as follows: First,
against the retirement of outstanding legal
tender notes; second, favoring the coinage
of the silver bullion in the treasury; third,
the issuance of emergency legal tender
notes in the case Of a deficiency; fourth,
against interest-bearing bonds; fifth, es-
tablishing the policy of the United States
in paying obligations In both gold and
silver; sixth, repudiating the theory that a
public debt is a public blessing; seventh,
urging the rapid eXtnguishment of the
national debt and the maintenance of the
sinking fund therefor.
Me- Mills resolution went to the table
until tomorrow, when he will make some
more remarks upon it.
A bill granting TO the Atchison and
Nebraska Railroad Company and to the
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad
Company right of way across part of the
Sac and Fox Indian reservation was
passed.
MIR. Butler Against Bond Issues.
The bond-silver bill was taken up at 2
o'clock, and Mr.. Butler On. c. offered an
amendment prohibiting the issuance Of In
tt rest 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.
THE HOUSE.
The House went into committee of the
whole as soon as the journal had been ap-
proved to6ay, and proceeded with the con-
siders ton of the pension APPROXIMATION bill