The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-12-10


Forms, Some Republican Members
More Than Hinting Thst the Limit Has
Been Nearly Reached and Some Demo
Gratis Expressing Favor Towards Pay
ing .he Natien's Debt of Gratitude
LiberaiIy-Mr. Allen OF Mississippi Eu-
tertsins the House.
Washington, Dec. 9.-The house regu-
larly today got down 10 serious work.
Jerry Simpson OF Kansas was in his
seat for the first time this session and
was warmly greeted by his colleagues
The house early went into committee OF
the whole, Mr.. Payne of New York, IN
the chair. for the consideration OF pen
sion appropriation bill which was re-
ported yesterday. TIE bill carries Sl4l,-
121, $50, OF which 81, III $50 is for fees OF
examining surgeons, salaries Of agents.
clerk hire and the other items for the
execution of pension laws. 1t stirred
up a debate that promises TO continue
for several days. Several Of the south
.ern Democrats offered criticisms OF
various classes of pensioners, and Pri-
vate John Allen Of Mississippi, VINO led
the assault In a speech replete with ms
characteristic fumor, presented a serves
of amendments, designed, as he safo.
10 correct some Of the most glaring evils.
They prohibit the granting of pensions
to widows whose applications were not
filed during their widowhood, and the
granting Of pensions % widows whose
applications ere based on maria ges con-
tracted after the passage OF this act,
and 20 permanently insane or aoiosic
minors who had reached t1eir majority.
The northern Democrats, however, Vleo
with the Republicans in their profes-
sions of friendship for the soldiers, ana
one of them, Mr. Norton OF Ohio, de-
clare3 that the Republicans could not
make the bill too large for him. IL
was admitted on both sides Of the house
during the discussion that the s14o,ooo,-
900 carried by the bill for pensions would
not cover the expenditures but, as con-
gress would be in session, Mr.. Cannon
said. it would be easy to make good any
deficiency that might occur.
CANNON GIVES FIGURES.
Mr.. Stone, in barge of the bill, yielded
to Mr.. Cannon, chairman Of the commit
tee on appropriations, who took occa-
sion to make a general statement of the
estimates submitted by the secretary or
the treasury for the public service or
1899. for the purpose, me said. OF dis
abusing the minds of members and the
country Of the false impression MADE py
a conrariSon of these estimates with
those of preceding years. The estimated
revenues for 1899 were s4S2. 100000. the
expenditures s5O4 900, 900, showing an es-
tima'ted deficit of s29, ,o0o,e 600.
Under the last sundry civil act the
secretary Of the treasury, ne pointer
out, was compelled TO estimate this year
for 's4S, coo, 900 of river and harbor work,
s33SS, 900 900 Of which had not been author
lied by law. If this sum, not heretofore
included in the estimates, We're deducted
there would be an estimated surplus OF
IS, ,oc5. eco instead Of a deficit.
Last year the estimated deficit under
the last tariff act was $4,000, 900. IF
the s17,oC0, 900 for river and harbor work
for which the government then stood
bound had been included. the estimated
deficit would have been $4,000, 600.
Mr.. Cannon said il might be that the
expenditures for pensions for 1899 would
exceed the estimates TIE commissioner
of pensions estimated the expenditures
ar $14S. .0O0, 900. If he should prove 10
be right. Mr.. Cannon pointed out, the
81 40. .o0O. .OOO0 Appropriated by this bill
s4ould pay all pensions for the first
eleven months OF the fiscal year and a
deficiency appropriation could be easily
made. In conclusion, Mr.. Cannon SOL
EMMY warned the house that the large
anticipatory importations would keep
the revenues under the present law
down to the minimum and ne appealed
to his colleagues to see 90 1t "that while
the public service is sufficiently supplied
with money, not one dollar is appropri-
ated which is not absolutely necessary to
the best interests Of the public service" f"
This statement of Mr.. Cannon was
warmly applauded on the Republican
side.
MR.. ALLEN AND HIS WIT.
Mr.. Allen Oen., MISSY attacked Mr..
Carnon'S statement IN speech IN
which there were flashes Of his inimita-
tle humor that set the house into a roar
OF laughter. He gravely commended Mr..
Cannon's appeal for economy, burt
aycwed that the figures Of the chairman
Of the appropriations committee did not
do the situation justice. He produced
figures that showed an estimated deficit
for the next year OF s72.0oo,00o. He re-
ferrei 10 the increase in the pension
roll under the present admin seration
and ridiculed the fcea OF a decrease un-
less the increase was 10 be attributed
to-itise ''exigencses OF the recent cam
paign in Ohio" He read from Com
missioner Evans testimony before the
appropriations committee. predicting a
deficit OF from IS, 200, 900 to $4,000, 600 in
pension expenditures during the next
fiscal year The maximum had not yet
been reached.
This question OF the maximum OF the
pension roll" observed Mr.. Alien, is
one of the things that has protracted
my stay in congress. When I first came
here they were talking Of the maximum
1 staye5 ten or fifteen years 20 see it
out II has not yet come and I guess l
will nave to come back again" Q1augh-
Ser.)
Mr.. Allen directed E1e batteries or ms
humor at me Dinsley law as a revenue
producer, picturing the intense anxiety
o. the chairman OF the ways and means
committee at the extra session 20 get
a bill on the statute books that would
strike a balance between the receipts
ard expenditures. and predicting an
o.ner season ot anxiety on Mr.. Ding
iey's part next spring at another extra
session called for the same purpose
Nr Allen seriously criticized some %