West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-12-22
Our WASHINGTON Letter.
Pension Politics For Pivotal States
Proven by Senator Vest.
BAILEY OF Texas Wants The Law En-
forced. Even II IL Does Catch
Gen. Joe Wheeler.
correspondence OF N 9 Argus.

Ten. Joe W hceier.
correspondence OF m @ Argus.
WAsHISGToN. Dec. 10. 1893
Senator Vest made u spiriteti attack
on the evils OF the present pension
system, SAYING that the government
had fallen into "a most iniquitous
expenditure by Its III nd vised legis
latlon ana thorough political in
hucnces." aud was now acting ds .
sort If politicl accident insurance
company. lie declared that he did
not wish TO deprive IA single honest
applicant Of his pension, but he lid
wish to have he abu scs stopped.
lie said that althhngh Illinois had
furnished 90. 900 more soldiers for
the civil war ban Indian, did that
the pension payments in Irliana
exceeded those in Illinois by ST.
800 600. and charged that the rea-
son was that Indiana Is u pivotal
State politically, and that it was
notorious fact that pensions had
been granted to almost every appli-
cant in districts that were close.
-
When Boss Plat was asked
whether anything else besides the
demands of his private business had
influenced Secretary Bliss to resign
the portfolio of Secretary of the
Interior, he could hardly keep his
face straight. He didn't answer
the question, in words; he wasn't
expected to. Bliss was taken into
the Cabinet to head off demands
made by Platt, and he has been
used for the same purpose at var
ious times since. So Platt isn't
grieving over his resignation. In
deed, it is altogether probable that
Plat has done his part to push
along the petty annoyances which
have resulted in. convincing Mr..
Bliss that his private business needs
his attention. While it. is not like.
ly that the resignation Of Mr.. Bliss
WAS brought about by any open
rupture, it was probably the cul
mination Of dissatisfaction because
OF a thousand and II little things,
no ole of which is important
enough to BE assigned ns ii reason
for resignation. It has hern mn
open secret in Washington tina, Mr..
Bliss didn't like his iob.
Representative iley, Of Texas
has made u statement CONCERNING
his attitude towards Gen Wheeler
and three other members OF tb,
House who hold commissions IN
the volunteer army. lie quotes
Section 6 Of Article /. Of The Con
stitution, "ThAt uo person holding
any Office under tho United States
shall be a member of either House
during his continuance in office"
and cites two cases IN which the
House decided members To hive
forfeited seats, one by accepting u
Majors commission in the District
OF Columbia Militia, and the other
by becoming Colonel Of a volunteer
regiment in the Mexic,n war. M.
Bailey thus defines his own posi-
ton: 81 am one of those who be
lioVe that it is the highest duty Of
every man to obey the law and to
respect the Constitution; and |
have little patience with the weak
suggestion that a member Of Con.
gress shall shrink from his sworn
duty because public sentiment
would allow a brave and distin.
guished man to hold two high
Offices, even though it be against
the Constitution Of our country"
Another phase Of the same question
is now being discussed in the Son
ate-the Constitutional right Of
Senators to serve as government or
Presidential Commissioner.
Representative DeArmond. Of
Missouri, had the pleasure OF nag
ging Car Reed INTO making %
speech this week. The incident
was started by Representative Grow
Of Pennsylvania, a Republican,
making a speech attacking the gag
rules Of the House. Mr. DeArmond
then took the noor sud ch irged
] A a ID II IA -