The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-10

read from Commissioner Evans testi-
mony before the committee predicting a
deficit of from $S,O00.0 900 to $40 900, 900 in
pensions during the next fiscal year.
The maximum had not yet been reached.
On Waiting orders
'"Thrs question Of the maximum of the
pension rolf exclaimed Mr.. Allen, lis
one of the things that is protracted
mountain IN congress. When I first
came here they were talking of the maxi
mum. I stayed ten or more years TO see
1t, but it has not yet come and guess
will have to come back again.
Iaughter.)
Mr.. Allen directed the batteries of his
humor at the Dingley law as revenue
producer, picturing the intense anxisty
of the chairman of the ways and means
committee at the extra session to get
a bill on the statute books that would
strike a balance between the receipts
and expenditures and predicting anxiety
on the part of Mr.. Dlngley next spring
at another extra session called for the
same purpose.
In conclusion he spoke of the arduous
tax burden placed upon the people OF
the south, who, he said, were being re-
lentlessly burdened by the gold stand
ard and 41kc cotton.
Mr.. Allen again got THE floor and dis
claimed any intention of attacking the
federal soldiers or the pension rolls.
But, he said, he could not but marvel
at the fact that $4,000 names were now
ON the rolls and THAT there was 100000
applications in the pension office.
A Bit of wit
There had been but 2,2oOO0O men in
the federal army and he was reminded of
meeting between an ex-confederate
and ex-federal at a blue and grey reun-
fon They Were feictating themselves
ON the disappearance of all hostility.
"If there should be another war;" said
the ex-federal, I'VE will be standing
shoulder to shoulder under one flag"
I'VE will, but you WON'T retorted the
ex-confederate.
"whaIt do you mean?" asked the ex-
federal
Legally you are disabled" Naugh-
ter.)
Mr. Allen gave notice that he would
offer amendments to prohibit the grant,
ing of pension to widow whose appli-
cation was not filed during her widow
hood, the denying of pensions to widows
who had net married prior 10 the pass
age of this act and to strike from the
rolls the names of all permanently in
sane or helpless children who had reach
ed their majority.
Norton's Declaration
Mr. Norton (dem) of Ohio declared
that it was not the democratic side of
the house that was assaulting The pen
e,,o roII 10 fad tc f,~fa dol
for the old soldier being on the PEN
sion bill,'' he cried, (which could not
be too large to suit me-
Messrs. Meyer (dem.) of Indiana and
Campbell (dem.) of Illinois submitted
brief remarks in favor of liberal PEN
sions.
Mr.. Hepburn (rep) of Iowa replied to
some of The criticisms of the pension
roll, which came from the other side.
He was especially severe in his condem-
nation of remark by Mr.. Norton, which
he charac. .erized as "mons.rous."
The statement was to the effect that
the regulations of the pension office
compelled most soldiers to stand on the
rejec ed list, or commit most sweeping
legal perjury to reach those rolls.
Mr.. Norton disclaimed having used
of that word to many he stood by
that sta.ement. The pension office re-
quired testimony which was not In ex-
ispence He stood ready Mr.. Norton
said, to aid in sweeping away the sense
less regulations.
A Dig at Grover
''While your party had the presidency,
th= senate and the house." asked MIR.
Mr.. Stone, republican, of Pennsy wanna,
''why did you not remedy some of these
evils?"
"When God or the country had the mis-
fortune to give the only democratic presH-
dent we had since the civil war; replied
Mr.. Norton, 1--WE found it out too la.te.
He belonged go you and you owned him."
Democratic applause)
Remedies do not begin with the
president" said MIR. Stone, ''but with the
congrses Why did not a democratic
congress do something to reduce the pen
sion roll 1t does not lie in your mouths
to complain" Republican applause).
'If we committed wrong why do you
SIT supinely and do nothing Demo
cratic applause and republican j:ers).
Mr.. Hepburn denied that he had put
any words in Mr.. Norton's mouth. On
the contrary HE asserted that he had
heard the werd most he was corrobo-
rated by all members about him and by
the official reporters notes. The gentle
man from Ohio, with all his .boasted
courage, was trying to run away from
the foul slander he had uttered
At this point tbs committee rose and
the house adjourned.