Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-20
FIFTy-FOURTH CONGRESS.
Attack on Niraragua-CannI Com
pany-Privatc Pension Bills.

FIFTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.
Attack Nfrnragua-Cann1 Com
pany-Private Pension Bills.
WASHINGTON, January -. - The
Nicaragua canal bin was under con-
sideration before the Senate for two
hours to-day. At least that length Of
time was occupied by Mr.. Turpie de-
mocraD. Of Indiana, In an attack upon
the measure, and I'm denunciation OF
the Maritime Canal Company, of Nicara-
qua. which he characterized as a
beggar and a pariah in any rational
financial system. as an outcast and
fugitive from the financial world and
as totally discredited in this and every
other country. He Is to continue his
speech tomorrow, when the bill Will
come up as the unfinished business.
The legislative appropriation bill was
taken up after the Nlcaraguan measure
had been laid aside, and was completed.
with the exception of provisions in rela-
tion to the library OF Congress, which
went over without action until to-mor-
row
Earlier in the days proceedings. Mr..
Hill DcmocraO, Of New York, spoke
for an hour and a half on a joint reso-
luton relating TO electric subways I'm
the District of Columbia. While 1t APP
peared to be "A matter of purely local
interest, Mr.. Hills contention was that
it was a fight between the United
States Electrlc-Llght Company, which
he referred TO as the "old monopoly"
and the Potomac Eiectric-Light Com
pany, owned chiefly in New York, whose
money and property, legally invested in
the District, the joint resolution would
confscate. Mr.. Hill occupied the floor
until the close Of the morning hour.
when the matter went over without ac-
ton.
The resolution offered by Mr.. Morgan
last week, as to default in the Pacific
railroad companies, and the one offered
yesterday by Mr.. Pettigrew (Silverite). of
South Dakota, rs to the Venezuelan and
Guiana boundary agreement were laid
before the Senate; but went over-the
first indefinitely and the other till to-
morrow.
Monday next was fixed upon as the
date for the delivery Of eulogies on the
late Speaker Crisp.
The Senate then, at 5:i5 p. NJ, ad-
journed until tomorrow.
House of Representatives.
The House spent the whole of to-day S
sidering private pension bills. Favorable
action was taken upon fifty-two of them.
one being the Senate bill to increase to
500 a month the pension of Major-Gene-
raj julius III. Stahel.
The first bill called up was for the re-
lief of Margaret O'Donnell. a nurse In
the United States army. Objection had
been made to the bill when 1t was last
under consideration, and 1t was post
poned until a more suspicious occasion.
Upon the reading of the title, Mr.. Mines
Republican). Of Michigan. announced
that since that time the proposed bene-
fciary of the bill had died, and he. there
fore. moved that the bill should lie on
the table, which was agreed to.
In the course of the afternoon the
army appropriation bill was received from
the Senate. and proceedings under the
order were suspended long enough for
| the House to vote to disagree to the
| Senate amendments, and to agree to a
conference thereon. Messrs. Hull Qe-
publican). OF Iowa; Parker Republican,,
| of New Jersey, and Mcclellan Demo
craD. of New York, were named as con-
| ferrees.
After spending three hours in passing
upon bills as placed upon the calendar,
Mr.. Thomas Republican,, of Michi-
gan. in charge Of the bills, stated that
many members had told him they MAD
bills pending which 1t was important
should be passed at this session. For
himself. he was willing to waive objec-
! ton TO members calling up bills out OF
| the regular order for the rest of the day.
His motion that members be permitted
| thus TO call for bills in which they were
! interested was agreed to, and then a
rnust amusing scene occurred. Mr.. Wills
Republican), of Delaware. was the hrs'
| gentleman to obtain recognition. ana
| while the Clerk was reading the bill, the
stems leading to the Speakers chan
| svarmed with members, urging Chair
man Henderson to favor them. Inc
struggle WAS earnest and noisy, and the
| few members remaining on the hooi
| laughed and applauded their more eher'
| eetic associates. The hubDub was SC
| great that proceedings had to DC gus
nended until something like order was
restored. Progress under the new oldei
| was much slower than previously. there
being half a hundred representatives OF
their feet. and yelling, "Mr. Chairman
| after each bill was passed, un.n M
| chairman had made an election iron
among them. For three quarters OF ar
hour the House proceeded amid muci
confusion. when something Of sensation
occurred.
SENSATION.
Mr. steele Republicam. of Indiana
| stated that while he recognized tnal
| MANY bills were reported from the Com
| mittee on Invalid Pensions, proposing
| legislation in behalf OF soldiers or theI
| dependents. who were entitled 10 specld
legislation. 1t was true that fully 10 pei
| cent. of the bills were Tor persons n'
| more entitled TO IT than were thousahu'
| eor yhor if was not asked or, II asked
~ rooucsts died I'm the committee-room
| tIo was onposed 10 the recent order; D
was irregular and unfair, and he pro
tasted AGAINST its continuance. He ha'
| o,nlied among The first 10 the CHAIRMAN
| Gov recognition. repeating the appiica
! lion q second and a third time, put uh
| successfully. Wit. -
| NJ Wood Republican,, OF Illinois, re
sented the reflections cast upon the com
,,,ittee ON Invalid Pensions by the gentle
nan from Indiana. saying that the Hous
had increased the pensions OF man!
claimants over the amounts recommehue'
| by the committee. =,
Mr. steele responded that he meant u
roke no reflection upon the committee
hut believing that such proceeuins'
,.,o,a NOT right he should vote asalns
,rri6a,, niobt sessions in future, If tnh
roetbod of obtaining recognition were Il
be continued. -, ~. &,
chairman Henderson explained that II
,de recognition of members he was en-
deovoring to follow the suggestions o.
,he Committee on Invalid Pensions. s.
as 20 reach some cases which demanded
,,,roeaiate action, and at the same time
10 40 what he conceived to be fair u
the Democratic side OF the House.
Mr. steele: Well. the bill ! wanted e
call up was for the benefit OF WiuoN
entirely helpless and destitute.
Several members: o, you doh Deies'
,,,hN do Won Want II