Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-21
THE HOUSE.

At the opening OF the session Of the
House today Mr. Grosvenor (Ohio) arose
to a question of personal privilege. He
sent to the clerks desk and had read a
Washington special to a Cincinnati paper
charging that at recent meeting Of the
ways and means committee after pledg-
ing himself to vote to report a reciprocity
bill he had voted against 1t. The terms Of
the special created much amusement 1t
described the surprise created by his lin
Ing up with the Reed faction and spoke of
him a Mckinley manager" who re-
fused to support legislation "along McKin-
ley lines Mr.. GrCSvenor explained face
tiously that If the publication only con-
tatned the charge that he had lined up
with the Reed faction he would not have
troubled the House. He did rot think he
could be found in better company Qaugh-
teri.
No Foundation for the Charges.
But this was q serious matter. The cor
respondent had undoubtedly been grossly
imposed upon. There had been a constant
reiteration of the charge that the ways
and means committee was rent by fac
tional dissensions. This charge had no
foundation in fact. AS matter of fact at
the informal meeting Of the republicans of
the committee referred 20 In the dispatch
a report on reciprocity was made by the
subcommittee and discussed There was no
difference of opinion among the republic
cans Of the committee as to the ultima te
purpose of the republican party to carry
to triumph the doctrine of reciprocity.
There had been proposition to re-enact
the third section of the Mckinley law
the reciprocity clause, but it had been
found in view Of the tariff law on the
statute books Sugar having been placed
on the dutiable lisO that the third section
of the Mckinley law would Lot be appli-
cable. In this opinion he had concurred,
and he was ready to take the responsibility
whether he lined up with one faction or
another. If there were factions. Mr.. Gros-
venor went on to deprec ite ell these dis
sensions among the republicans of the
House. He explained that there had been
no difference Of opinion on the advisablity
of presenting the Dingley bill and con-
cluded with the statement that the re-
publican party was charged with a duty
above faction. that of wping out the evils
of bankrupt treasury and once more re-
storing prosperity to this country.
MIR. Hoover's Pension Bill.
Mr.. Kirkpatrick Ran.) then called up
the bill to pension Francis E. Hoover at
the rate Of so per month, which was re-
turned with the Presidents veto.
The claimant was a private in company
I. sixty-fourth o. " 1. The President We
toed the bill on the ground that there was
no claim that the present helpless condi-
Mr.. kirkpatrick moved that the bill be
passed over the veto. and said: IF Con-
greSs does not give him relief he will go to
the poor house. The committee can never
assent to that as long as there is a dollar
in the treasury.
testimony secured by the committee since
the veto message was received. showing
that the soldiers condition was due to
army service, but said the committee want
cd hicti 40 tnn1 hot
clearly within the power Of Congress to
grant the relief in a case of extreme hard
ship. even If this were not the case. 1t was
important that this right should be indi-
Gated. Mr.. Kirkpatricks remarks were
literally applauded.
Mr.. Erdman Pa) opposed the motion
He explained that information in the DOS
session Of the President was the original
report Of the committee and the testimony
on file at the pension office, in neither of
which was 1T claimed that the disease was
due to service origin.
TIE new report. he declared. presented
more than the usual absurdities of a plea
of confession and evidence.
Mr. Loud CCal) also opposed the motion
and Mr.. Wood Qll) supported it. The lat
ter caid that If there were but $50 in the
treasury he would be in favor of taking it
out to pay the first months pension to
Francis E. Hoover.
During the debate thp Senate amend
ments to the fortifications appropriations
bill! were disagreed to and a conference
ordered.
Mr.. Bartlett On. " Endorsed the Presi-
dents veto.
Mr.. Willis. Oel) concluded the debate
with stirring ten-minute speech In crit
icism of the Presidents course in vetoing
private pension bills. He declared that
it was an abuse and degradation of the
veto power, reassertion of the idea con-
veyed in Mr.. Cleveand's contemptuous
statement that he had Congress on his
haLds." He gently ridiculed Mr.. Bartlett
for corsoling the poor survivors of the
Union who were going down to their death
in sickness and poverty with the words
of Fitz Green Hallock that they had the
thanks of mortals yet to be-"
"Such thanks interrupted Mr.. Morse
(Mass) will not buy bread and butter.'
In conclusion he congratulated Mr..
Cleveland and Mr.. Bartlett on the position
they took. Their minds are cast in the
same mold-but I don't want tine gentle