The National tribune., 1896-02-27
CONGRESS-
Abstract Of The More Important Pro-
ceedingS of Both Houses.
TUESDAY. FEB. is.


needless EXPENSE of a special inquiry.
Mr. PETER followed at considerable length,
eriticizipg bond issues He declared that pub
lie indignation alone prevented the last bono
issue from going TO the syndicate which mace
such enormous profits at the previous pona
sale.
Mr.. Stewart followed in advocacy of an in
curry, aud in strong criticism OF recent bona
issues
Mr. Hills appearance in opposition to the
proposed inquiry was the signal for splrlteo
debate He was opposed, he sala, to any llh-
vestigation at this time by the Finance Oonl'
mittee or any other committee lie oepre-
Gated the custom of following up every ioie
rumor. every indefinite charge that the right
thing had not been done.
The Senator (Mr PETER who proposed this
inquiry did not make personal charges against
the President or Secretary OF the Treasury.
"But / make the charge" exclaimed Mr..
Stewart rising and moving down the middle
aisle.
Mr.. Hill waved Mr. Stewart back and de-
clined to yield 10 the interruption
"Bat let me make the charge" insisted MIR.
Stewart.
1.-The Senator will charge anything" said
Mr. HILL still declining to yield. lie then
proceeded to argue against Senate inquiries OF
rumors when he was again interrupted, tins
time by Mr.. Tillman IS. c., d.. The latter
raised his right arm, and was about to frame
an energetic question, when Dir. Hlll pesi-
lively declined 10 yield to question, saying
only few minutes remained before O'CLOCK,
when the expiration of the morning hour
would cut him off,
Mr.. Tillman yielded reluctantly, and, as he
took his seat exclaimed; 1T is not the first
time have seen the Senator do up resolution
bv talking on il until 2 o. clock"
Dir. Hill turned about. facing the South
Carolina Senator and, addressing him person.
ally, said: Il will be the judge OF how long
and when shall speak"
Undoubtedly" interjected Mr. Iillman,
ironically.
..And.' proceeded Mr.. Hill, 81 will not be
governed in my course by the Senator from
South Carolina"
Mr.. Hoar asked that the Military Academy
bill. which was the order of business after
o,cloek should be laid ASIDE 10 allsw Mr.. Hill
to proceed. But Mr.. Hill smiliuEly declined
to proceed as the PETER resolution had now
lost its status and gone TO the foot OF the
calendar "As that resolution went to the
calendar at O'clock" said Mr.. Hill, Il will
proceed some ether day.
Thereupon shrill, whistlng sound came
from Mr. Tillnan, indicating that his prophecy
ms TO O'Clock had been fulfilled The shrill
sonna was like drawn-out ALI" Mr.. PETER
tried to secure unanimous consent to go on
with the resolution. but Mr.. Hill objected.
Then Mr.. PETER moved 20 set aside all other
business aud 20 on with his resolution. he
yielded however, to urgent appeals, and al
lowed the Military Academy appropriation bill
70 be taken mp.
The Pension appropriation bill was considered
in Committee of the Whole.
The Secretary proceeded to read the bill,
which had boon reported from the Committee
on Appropriations with amendments.
The Grst amendment OF the Committee on
Appropriations was. on page 2. line 8. before
the word whenever" TO strike out curing
the fiscal year 1897, in expanding this appro-
priatior." and insert "that"; SO as 10 make
the clause read:
That whenever q claim for pension under the net
OF June o. 1890 has been shall hereafter be.
jected. suspended. or dismissed. and new appli-
cation shall have been. shall hereafter be. flied
aud pension has been. or shall hereafter be. al.
lowed Ia such claim, such pension shall date from
the of fling the first application, provided the
evidence la the shall show pensionsble dis
ability 10 have existed or TO exist, a. the time Of
filing such fret application, anything in any law
ruling of the Department TO the contrary notwih-
standing.
The amendment was agreed TO.
The next amendment was, on page 2, line %
bsfore the word "thousand," to strike ont
"soven hundred and fifty" and insert "eight
huDdred"; so TO read:
For fees and expenses OF Examining Surgeons
fer services rendered within the fiscal year 1897
Board SHALL authorized by law, receive tie
cum Of 81 for the examination Of each applicant
whenever Eve OF less number shall be examined
any one day, aud 81 for the examination of each
additional applicant on such day.
The amendneh was agreed to.
The next amendment was on page 4, to in
crease the appropriation for rents for Pension
Agencies from $3.50 to $25.S30
The amendment was agreed TO.
The reading OF the hill was concluded.
The bill Was reported TO the Senate as
amended aud the amendments were concurred
In.
Mr.. Gallinger.-Mr. President before the bin
is passed j simply desire to occupy the atten-
ton OF the Senate for a moment.
Had il not been for the fact that the Commit
tee on Appropriations complained, aud think
very justly, that appropriation bills were loaded
down with amendments submitted by Senators
during the consideration of those bills should
have offered several amendments to this bill
covering matters =:sIcb ] think ought to be-
come law as speedily as possible; bot in defer
enee 10 the committee and j think the senti-
nent hat is prevailing in the Senate at the
present time, / have withheld those amend
mcBts.
If / had supposed, Mr. President that it
would have done any good, ] should have IN
oulged IN some observations by way Of criti-
eism 81 the administration OF certain pension
laws by the present Secretary OF the interior
and the Commissioner Of Pensions. believe
there very great abuses in the Pension
Bureau to-day. ] think the Bureau means
well but the regulations calculated to do
injustice 10 worthy claimants under the laws
OF the United States. ] have satisfied myself
that such criticisms could do no good: that
they would not change the regulations OF the
Bureau, and they certainly would not amend
the laws; aud for hat reason have felt it my
duty 10 withhold such criticisms aud TO permit
this bill TO pass without any discussion.
Mr. German said that the Pension appropria-
tion bill hung like a pail Congress and the
country.
MF. Gallineer said If that was so, he was glad
il did. he believed the men who served the
Union should be generously provided for.
The bill was passed.