The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-20
PRIVATE PENSION BILLS.
THE HOUSE SPENT THE WHOLE DAY
DISCLOSING OF THEM.
Mr.. Turpie Makes Bitter Attack on the
Maritime Canal Company Of Mica
ragua in the senate.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 19.-The House
spent the whole Of to-days session in
Committee OF the Whole considering pri-
vate pension bills. Favorable action was
taken urcn nfty-two Of them. one being
the Senate lin to increase to 500 month
the pension OF Major-General Julius II.
stahel.
The first bill called up was for the re-
lief OF Margaret O'Donnell. n nurse In the
United States army. Objection had been
made 10 the bill when IT vas last under
consideration. and it was postponed until
a more suspicious occasion. Upon the
reading Of the title Mr.. Mines Rep. OF
Michigan announced that since that time
the proposed beneficiary Of the bill had
died. and he. therefore. moved that the
bin DO lie on the table. which was agreed
10.
in tho course OF the afternoon the army
appropriation bill was received from the
Senate. and proceedings under the order
wcre suspended long enough for tine
House 10 vote 10 disagree to tho Senate
amendments and 10 agree 10 a confer
ence thereon. Mossr-. Hull Rcp. =
Iowa). Parker Rcp OF New Jersey, and
Mcclellan Dem. OF New York; were
named as conforocs
ENERGETIC MEMBERS.
After spending three hours I'm passing
upon bills as placed upon the calendar
Mr.. Thomas Oop. of Michigan, in charge
Of the bills. stated that many members
had told him they had bills pending which
IL was important should Dee passed M this
session. For himself he was willing 90
waive objection 70 members calling mp
bills out of the regular order for the rest
Of tho day. His motion that members be
permitted thus 20 call for bills i'm which
they were Interested was agreed To-. and
then q most amusing scene occurred.
Mr.. Willis Rcp. OF Delaware was
the first gentleman to obtain rccocni-
ton. and while the Clerk was reading
the bill. the steps leading 10 the Speak
ers' chair swarmod with members urg-
Ing Chairman Henderson TO favor them.
The struggle was earnest and noisy.
and the few members remaining on the
noor laughed and applauded their more
energetic associates. The hubbub was
so great that proceedings had 10 be sus-
pended until something Ike order was
restored. Progress under the new or
der was much slower than previously.
there being half hundred representa-
tives on their feet and yelling, MIR
Chairman" after each bin was passed.
until the chairman had made selection
from among them.
a SENSATION.
For threo-quarters of am hour the House
proceeded. amid much confusion. when
something OF "a sensation occurred Mr.
steele Rcp. of Indiana stated that
while be- recognized that many bills were
reported from the Committee on Invalid
Pensions proposing legislation iu the
behalf of soldiers or their dependents.
who were entitled 10 special legislation.
g. was true that fully - per cent. OF
the bills were for persons no more enc
titled 10 10 than were thousands for whom
10 was not asked or. 81 asked. died Boo
the committoo-r0om DE was opposed
10 the recent order. IL was irregular and
unfair and Doe protested against its cone
tinuance. lie had applied among the
first TO the chairman for recognition.
repeating the application a second and
third time. but unsuccessfully.
Mr. Wood ORcp. OF Illinois, resented
the reflections cast upon the Committee
on Invalid Pensions by the gentleman
from Indiana saying that the House had
increased the pensions OF many claim
ants over the amount recommended Dos
the committee.
Mr. Steel. responded that ho meant to
mako mo- reelection unon the committee.
hut. believing that such proceedings were
not right. ic Should vote against FRIDAY
ui~hr sessions foo future Or this method of
obtaining recognition was 10 be contln-
uod.
Chairman Henderson explained that. in
his recognition of members he was en-
doavoring to follow the SUGGESTIONS of the
Committee on Invalid Pensions 500 1858 TO
reach some cases demanding immediate
action. and az the same time 10 do
what Dee conceived TO he fair TO the
Democratic side of the House
Mr. Steele. "Weu the lil / wanted 90
call up was for the benefit OF a widow
entirely helpless and destitute
Several members. go. YOU don't believe
On such legislation; why do YOU want
20 cali IF mp"
Mr. steele moved that the committee
rise. hut the motion was lost However.
on motion of Mr. Payne RoD. Of New
york; the committee voted 90 take up
bills in their order on the calendar.
This restored relative quiet and 3D. few
other bills were acted upon. making a
total of afty-two for the afternoon.
YOsT-TUCKER CASE
Tho committee rose at $40. At the re-
quest OF Mr.. Walker lRop. of virginia..
ls minority report upon the contested
election case OF Yost VS. Tucker. in IN
v0r of seating Yost. was ordered print
cd.
At 5I5 the House adjourned until to-