Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-19
IN THE HOUSE.
Bill Tor Relief Of 1hos. B. Reed Passed Amid
Much Amusement.

Washington, Dec. 1S.-In the House
Evans presented report of conferees on
the joint resolution to extend the time
within which the joint congressional
committee to investigate the question
Of regulations for the use Of free alco-
hol in the arts and manufactures, shall
report to Congress. limiting the time
To 10 days after the beginning of the
next session agreed to.
This being private bill day under the
rules, Bingham. in charge of the leg
isiative, executive and judicial appro-
pfiation bill, asked unanimous consent
TO proceed with its consideration, but
objection was made by Mahon. chair
man Of the committee on war claims.
The bills on the calendar reported
from the committee of the whole, were
disposed Of, 81 being passed. The bill
To pay $4,000 to Flora p. Arlin. widow
of Confederate general. for money
alleged to have been taken from her al
the time OF her arrest on a steamer at
New Orleans. when travelling on a
safe permit granted by Gen. ~ p.
Banks, was laid on the table, despite
the favorable recommendation Of the
committee.
These being disposed Of. the House
went into committee Of whole to CON
slider bills for private relief The first
bill read raised Il laugh. being for the
relief of Thos b. Reed" The proposed
beneficiary was a sergeant in he
9TH Pennsylvania Infantry. and the
bill authorized the court Of claims TO
pass upon his claim for pay as such
sergeant, he having been carried on
The roll as "A private. The bill was
passed,
\ bin for he relief Of James Bigeler
New York. who owned some property
in Virginia destroyed during the war
was laid aside to permit an investiga-
tion into the question as to whether it
WAS destroyed in military operations.
Dingley suage sted that If this were the
case. the hill opened up a dangerous
Field. one which Congress never before
eftered-that Of paying for property
destroyed in military operations
Should that policy be now adopted. he
said, Congress would have to provide
revenue To- the extent of $500 900 900 or
soc. GEO 900 instead Of $50, 900, 900 or S75.
900. 900
Three or four other war claim bills
We're considered, meeting with the
usual objection. Upon measure to
repay 5000 substitute money taken
from a Swede drafted while not a citi-
zen of the United States, Dingley
pleaded that the statute of repose
should be allowed to obtain and these
claims arising 80 years after the war
had closed, be settled and stay settled.
Mahon replied to this vigorously,
protesting against the government
pleading the statute of limitations
after years of denied justice TO the
claimants. In this case tpdegraff, of
whom the claimant is a constituent,
denounced the action of the govern
ment as that of highway robbery
seizing the money like a rohber. by its
strong arm and retaining it because of |
its power to do so. BY vote of s. to
o.. the committee recommended favor !
able action on the bill and il then
rose.
The House passed the bill for the re- |
lief of Thos. b. Reed amid much |
and some embarrassment |
Of the Speaker. The hour of ) o'clock |
cess until p. NJ.
At the night session "A pension bills |
were considered and laid aside with /,
favorable recommendation. At 1890 the
House adjourned.