The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-19
MR.. OVERSTREET IS HERE
HIS VIEWS ON THE PRESENT OUT
LOOK FOR WAR WITH SPAIN.
President McKinIey's Wise Course
IatiOn-HandIing the Pension Claims.

Representative Jesse Overstreet arrived in
the city yesterday from Washington and
will remain here week. He was asked as
to the war feeling at the national capital
while the situation growing out of our
strained relations with Spain is very seri-
GUS and grave" said he, lit need not neces-
sarily lead to war. Nothing is likely to oc-
cur until after the report of the naval
board of investigation concerning the cause
of the explosion of the Maine. There is
strong feeling at Washington that the Pres
1dent is to be approved for his course thus
far pursued. He has acted with tirmness
and dignity, yet in his preparation for coast
defenses and full equipment of the naval
FORCES, he has manifested commendable
promptness.
II feel that he will continue to dispose
Of this question in a way that will COM
mend itself to the approval of the country.
The President feels the grave responsibility,
yet he also appreciates the patriotism OF the
peace can be maintained. In my judgment,
the explosion of the Maine, even should it
be determined to have been occasioned by
an outside cause, will not be the only rea-
son to cause change of policy by the adj
ministration. The deplorable condition of
the Cuban people and the failure of Spain
to successfully suppress the rebellion may
States.
'Yet in either event war is not the inev-
table result, because, should the United
States interfere or recognize the independ-
ence of Cuba, Spain may accede to our de-
1t is my impression that we are rapidly APP
preaching the crisis in the situation, and
it is probable that only short time wall
pass before 1t will be definitely known what
the naval board of inquiry reports, and
whether or not the United States govern
ment will demand of Spain that the method
of warfare with the Cuban insurgents shall
cease The action of Congress in appropri-
ating $5O,O00O0O for the national defense was
so unanimous and enthusiastic that there
is no longer any doubt of the absolute unity
of the American people on any matter as
between this government and any foreign
nation. Our people have responded most
cordially in this matter, and should war
come they will be found to be absolutely
united. The administration is showing re-
markable energy and sagacity In Its, prepa,,
ration for the national defenses and naval
equipment, and have no fear but that the
situation will be properly met"
ADJOURNMENT OF CONGRESS.
Speaking of the reported early adjourn
ment of Congress, Mr.. Overstreet said:
II am not advised of any concerted eff
fort for an early adjournment of Congress
other than what I have seen in the daily
papers. There has been no talk among
members of the House. and it is not at all
likely that Congress will adjourn until some
definite steps are taken in the Cuban af-
fair Congress is further advanced in the
disposition of appropriation bills than has
ever occurred before and could adjourn by
the middle of April If nothing else was to
lit is not improbable, however, that the
may not be considered by the House this
session. This question has been greatly
overshadowed by the Cuban question, but
nevertheless the committee on banking and
currency of the House has continued its
consideration of this question. 1t is my i'm
preston that the , subcommittee tt OF the
the full committee next week, and with
out having any definite information, am
reported by that committee will take for
its basis the recommendations of the In
dianapolis commission. l am still of the
opinion that it will be mistake to adjourn
the session without enacting measure for
currency REFORM and still believe the rec
concentrations of the Indianapolis commits
sion to be the best that have yet been lad a9
ever it will not be surprising to see the
disposition of this question postponed until
the next session of Congress-
PENSION APPLICATIONS.
Mr.. Overstreet's activity in the interest of
civil war veterans has been feature OF
his service in Congress. He was asked how
many applications for pensions have been
filed from this district:
81 have no data at hand as to the number
Of applications for pensions which have been
filed by residents of the Seventh congress
sional district of Indiana. The commits
new applications during the first few
months of the administration averaged
about fifteen hundred g day, but that the
NUMBER
So far as my individual work in this line
is concerned, it is quite as heavy as 1t eyer
has been. The department is greatly be-
hind in its work on account of the in
creased number of applications, but there
have been enough allowances alreauy
made to indicate that there Will be de-
ficiency in the pension appropriation dur
ing the present fiscal year of about $8,OOOOOO.
There have been a great many reJectlons
of claims lately, but the great proportion
of these reflections have been claims for m
crease. I have on my records ABOUT z5OO
rames of pensioners with whom l have
more or less correspondence, and my calls
for status and other inquiries concerning
these claims aggregate perhaps nVe thou-
sand. L see no reason why the PENSION
Bureau should not be able to handle all
these pension claims with proper care ana
discretion, and, if the work is greater than
the present force can manage, the force
how many claims passing through my
hands have been rejected or allowed.
1T is not at all probable that there Will
be any appropriations this session for pub
lie buildings The, probable expenditure
necessary for the National defense VIII
create a spirit of economy that will likely
prevent any appropriations for pubic bulId-
ings. / can say, however, that the bill pro-
viding for the indianapolis public building
is as far advanced as any other similar bill
pending in Congress, and ! have no doubt
that it will receive as good attention at the
hands of the House any OF them. or
course, shall be glad to secure the pas
sage of this bill now, but nothing can be
gained by making. misstatement of facts.
1t shall continue to receive my attention,
- 10 oaAf. ,fe.