Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-01-21
54th CONGRESS.
Private Pension Bills Create a
Brisk Stir in the House.
Go-as- You Please Style Of Business
Creates a Mild Sensation.
Tarpie Makes Speech in Senate Against
Nica-asuan Canal Sill.

Washington, Jan. BIN the House, inn
mediately after the reading OF the Jour-
nal. the House resolved itself INTO the
committee Of the whole and proceeded 10
consider private pension bills. In the
first hour the committee favorably acted
upon II bills. In the course OF the after
ceived from the Senate and the House
voted to disagree to the Senate amend
ments and agree to a conference thereon:
Hull. Parker and Mcclellan We're named
The committee. at $40, at the request OF
Walker, Rep, of Virginia. took up his
minority report upon the contested cleo
ton case of Yost VS.. Tucker, in favor OF
seating Yost, and ordered it printed.
The House adjourned.
After spending three hours in passing
lpon the bills as placed upon the calen-
lar Thomas. Rep. Of Michigan. in
members had told him that they had bills
bending which 1t was important should
le passed at this session. He moved that
members be permitted to call up bills
nut of the regular order for the rest of
he day. The motion was agreed 10.
Willis. Rep. of Delaware. was the first
gentleman to obtain recognition. and
While the clerk was reading the bill, the
warmed with members urging the
chairman to favor them. The. struggle
Vas earnest and noisy. and the few men,
)ers remaining on the floor laughed and
,pplauded their more energetic associ-
ties. The hubbub WAS SO great that pro-
'eedings had TO be suspended until some
hing like order was restored. Progress :
inder the new order was much slower
han previously. there being half a hun
lred representatives on their feet and
Yelling Mr.. Chairman" after each bill
,asse,i, until the Chairman had made Il
election from among them. For three
quarters of an hour the House proceeded
mid much confusion. when something OF
sensation occurred.
f...at.A M In "a tod ls4
While he recognized that many bills were
eported from the committee on invalid
tensions proposing legislation in behalf
4 soldiers or their dependents who We're
Untitled TO special legislation. it was true
hat fully 30 per cent. of the bills were
@or persons no more entitled to 1t than
he thousands for whom II was not asked.
n If asked. whose bills were decNed in
he committee room. lie protested
gainst the present order as being irreg-
liar and unfair. He had, he said, applied
lmong the first to the Chairman for
'ecognition. repeating the application II
econd and third time. but unsuccess-
'uly.
Wood. Rep. of Illinois. resented the re-
lections cast upon the committee on in
'alld pensions by Steele. saying that the
louise had increased the pension Of many
laimants over the amount recommended
~ the committee.
Steele responded that ne meant to make
10 reflection upon the committee, but he
'hould vote against Friday night sessions
n the future. If this method OF obtaining
'ecognition was to be continued
Henderson explained that in his recog-
iition of members he was eadeaVoring to
'ollow the suggestions of the committee
III invalid pensions. so as to reach some
asses that demanded immediate action.
and at the same time to do what he con-
sidered fair TO the Democratic side OF
he House.
Steele-Well. the bill | wanted to call
Up was for the benefit of a widow entire
y helpless and destitute.
Several members-Oh. You don't want
such legislation. Why do you want to
all ii up?
Steele moved that the committee rise.
nut the motion was lost. On motion of
Payne. Rep, of New York. the committo =
voted to take up the bills in their order
IN the calendar. This restored relative
quiet and a few other bills were acted
upon. making 81 for the afternoon.