The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-07
Little Probability, However. that the
Session VIII Close Before the
First Day Of June.
RUSH OF PENSION MEASURES
SEvENTY-TWO BILLS PASSED IN
FIVE AND A HALF HOURS.
FrnifIess Attempt to Reduce Amount
Voted Mrs. Gresham-Speaker Reed
Criticised by Mr.. Picker.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special TO the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, May 6.-The passage in
the House OF the formal Adjournment resolu-
uion must not be interpreted too seriously.
The original resolution. as adopted by the
ways and means committee, which has juris-
dictSon. over the subject of final adjourn
meflt, named May % as the date. 1t is I'M
derstood that the date was subsequently
changed by the committee to May is at the
request of Speaker Reed. This was proba-
bly, done as matter of courtesy TO the Re-
publican members of the Senate, it viii
be remembered that this is the date selected
by the recent Republican caucus. There is
little reason to believe that the Congress
Will be ADJOURNED before May %, and the
first week in June is even more likely to be
the approximate time. 1t is always GUS
tomary for Congress to remain in session
ten days after the river and aharbor bill is
submitted to the President for his signature.
This is done for prudential reasons. Most
Presidents are opposed to the enormous
sums voted away in the river and harbor
bin. and President Cleveland is especially an
enemy OF that bTl. Congress. therefore.
wisely remains here ten days after 1t sends
him the bill, so that in case of a veto, which
Is always probable. the bin can be passed
over his veto. For Congress TO adjourn on
the 18th of May the date fixed in the House
resolution, it would be necessary to have
the pending river and harbor bill at the
White House Friday morning. This is
clearly impossible, as the bin bids fair to
remain before the Senate the rest of this
week, after which IL will probably remain in
conference for some time. The LIST OF June
rs the earliest date for which 1t viii be wise
70 expect adjournment.
The reading of the adjournment resolution
In the House this afternoon was received
with an outburst OF applause from members
on both sides of the House. Mr.. Wheeler
denounced the majority for proposing to de-
sert their posts. He said that during the
campaign of 1894 the Republican party hal
pledged itself to the relief of the people from
existing depression
Caused by the Democratic party" inter-
jected Mr.. Milliken.
Mr.. Dinghy made no reply to Mr.. Wheeler
sand the resolution was adopted without
division.
The report on the contested election case
Of Thompson VS.. Shaw from the Third North
Carolina district, which was unanimously
in favor of the sitting member, was adopted.
MRS. GRESHAM'S PENSION.
The House then proceeded under the spe-
cial order adopted yesterday to consider
private pension bills and acted on them
at the rate of about one every five minutes.
BY the terms of the order the debate on
each bill was limited to ten minutes In
five and half hours to-day seventy-two
bills were favorably acted on. Among them
were bills granting the widow of the late
Secretary Walter O. Gresham a pension Of
daughter of Gen. Phil Kearney, SIS per
month, TO the widow of the late Senator
George e. Spencer. of Alabama, $50 per
month, to Gen. James C. Parrott $50 per
month, to the widow of Gen. James II.
Blunt of Kansas. SIS per month and to
Gen. Nathan Kimbal s100.
| An attempt was made 10 reduce the
amount of the proposed pension 10 the
tributes were paid to General Greshams
memory by Mr. Picker. Mr.. Curtis and
Mr.. Evans. The Democrats took no part
Mr.. Crowther moved TO reduce the rate
Of the proposed pension to $50 per month.
duce the pension carried by the bill. General
Greshams distinguished services in military
and civil life he said, made this bill in every
way exceptional. He had died in the har-
ness, Mr.. PicklS- nd, and he thought, in
view of the GIT popularity of General
Gresham, whose friends all over the coun--
1t TO itself TO pass this bill without amend
ment.
Mr.. Crowther. however. contended that
there was no reason why sucn a distinction
should be made in favor of Cen Greshams
widow. There are thousands of as deserving
widows as she.
ton OF $75 per month. He referred to the
fact that the House had declined to give
Gen Blunt of Kans es'n and thousht Mrs
Gresham stood on no better footing than
she. Mr.. Gresham. he said. had been on
cessantlyS for thrty-five years. and if his
widow was not in easy circumstances he
said there must have been 'profiigacy
Gen. Curtis, Mr.. Cannon and Mr.. Evans
warmly advocated the bill as reported. Mr..
Cannon thought the bill but simple and
scant Justice in view of the large pen
sions to other eminent commanders. and
Mr.. Evans expressed his sincere hope that
both amendments would be defeated
Both amendments were rejected, one with
out division, the other by a vote of A to
81. Several of the Democrats, including
Ex-speaker Crisp. did not vote. The bill
Mr. Picker, chairman of the committee on
invalid pensions, desired TO keep the House
IN c9nain h;1 session IN order 10 go anead
on rules protested, stating that the special
order did not contemplate prolonging the
journment. He sought to proiong the SEES
sion despite the protest OF the leaders and
had many Republicans with him. When the
quorum failed shortly after 6 o'clock the
Speaker recognized Mr.. Dingeley to move
an adjournment.
Mr.. Picker Indignantly protested. This
is an internal piece of snap Judgment" h-
shouted. There We're 800 members present
and We were entitled to so into committee
of the whole"
II call the gentleman to ORDER" said Mr..
Payne.
sdThe gentleman will take his seat" or
dered the Speaker.
Pm stating the TRUTH" Mr.. Picker re-
piled. defiantly. but he sat down after being
again admonished by the Speaker.
After that exhibition, l think we had
better adjourn" called out Mr.. Evans but
Mr.. Picker rallied his forces and defeated
the .motion TO adjourn-39 to 81 He then
moved a call of the House. which Mr. Willis
supplemented with another motion to ad-
journ, and it looked as If Mr.. Picker in
tended TO fight IL out as long as he could
get handful of supporters to stand by
him But on the next roll call the House
voted-52 to 4S-to adjourn, and the session
closed shortly after o'clock.
Wool Men Not Prosperous.
Washington Post.