The record-union., 1898-12-16
APPROPRIATIONS
FOR PENSIONS.
The Bill Quickly Disposed Of in
Lower House Of Congress.
Passed Within Twenty Minutes, Without
Even a Word of Criticism.

The Urgent Deficiency Appropria-
ton Bill, Making Provision for
the Army and Navy for the Next
Six Months, Displaces the Mic
aragua Canal Measure in the
Senate, Passing After Spirited
Discussion.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-The House
to-day surpassed all previous records
in the expedition with which it passed
the pension appropriation bill. The
bill in days gone by has been one OF
the most fruitful themes Of acrimoni-
Gus partisan debate, but to-day, al
though carrying $4,O0O,000 more than
the Act for the current year, it was
passed in twenty minutes, without a
word of criticism The House then
entered upon the consideration of the
bill to incorporate the international
American Bank. This project was rec
commended by the Pan-American Con-
gress in 1889. An arrangement was
effected for a vote upon the passage
of the bill at 3 o'clock tomorrow.
The House to-day adopted the con-
ference report on the bill extending
the marine inspection laws to sailing
vessls of 700 tons and over, and pro-
viding for the licensing of second and
third mates.
Barney (R.) of Wisconsin, in charge
of the pension appropriation bill, then
called up his measure, and made a
general explanatory statement Of it's
provisions.
Allen CD of Mississippi of the APP
preparations Committee, in reply to
Barney, called attention to the fact
that when he first came to Congress
fourteen years ago the pension appro-
lriat n bill invariably precipitated a
blooa shirt discussion. He congratu-
lated himself that Congress has pro-
gressed since then, and that there was
no acrimonious discussion of the bill.
TE9 country at last had the gratifying
IL Jrmation that the pension roll had
reached it's maximum.
And I congratulate the country for
this said Allen in conclusion, that
while one of the most gallant and des-
perate soldiers of the Confederacy him.
self helped to report this bill, the
President of the United States is down
in Dixie doing honor to the Confeder-
ate dead. We all have come to re-
joice." daughter and applause)
There was no further debate upon
this bill. It was read through without
a word of criticism, and passed. The
whole time occupied in it's considera-
ton was less than twenty minutes.
This is the shortest time on record for
a general pension bill. The bill car
ries S145, ,233, $50.
Under the special order, Hill (R.) of
Connecticut then called up the bill to
carry into effect the recommended
tions of the international American
conference by the Incorporation of the
International American Bank and it
was taken up after the Chair had
overruled a point of order raised by
Bailey of Texas, that Hill had no au-
thority to call UP the bill
Brossius CD of Pennsylvania opened
the debate in its favor. The BILL he
said, was the outgrowth of the PAN
American Congress held in Washing
ton in 1899 The development of trade
between the United States and South
and Central America, he argued, was
greatly handicapped by the lack of ad-
equate facilities for exchange The
try and those to the south of us had
aggregated more than $4,000, 100000
since the recommendations of the Pan
American Congress were adopted
Practically all of it has been carried by
drafts on London at a cost of q to 1
per cent. exchange. This American
trade should be controlled by Ameri-
cans.
Cox Cd of Tennessee, the ranking
minority member of the Banking and
Currency Committee, opposed the bill,
taking the ground that it contem-
plated the creation Of a gigantic
monopolistio banking corporation. Con-
gress, he argued had no power to
charter a corporation to do business
beyond the limits of the United States.
Walker (R) of Massachusetts,, Chair
man of the Banking and Currency
Committee, supported the bill.
Jenkins (R) of Wisconsin opposed
the bill, claiming that Congress had
no power to create such a bank as it
contemplated.
At the conclusion of Jenkins re-
marks, it was agreed that a vote on
the bill should be taken at o'clock
tomorrow.
During the debate the Indian ap-
preparation bill was presented.
After some further remarks by
briggs Cd of New York and Bartlett
Cd of Georgia in opposition to the
bill. and Lacey (R) of Iowa in favor
of the bill, the House, at 5 p M, ad-
journed until tomorrow.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-The ur-
gent deficiency appropriation bill, max
ing provision for the army and navy
for the next six months, displaced the
Nicaragua Canal bill in the Senate to-
day, preventing even the taking of a
vote on the question of postponement
until after the holidays, as had been
intended. The bill was passed after
spirited discussion, turning principally
on the point of keeping the volunteer
soldiers in the service.
The Senate decided upon convening
to-day to take a recess from 130 un-
til $3.50 p. m, in order to permit SEN
ators to attend the funeral of Mrs
Bright, wife Of the Sergeant Arms.
Vest gave a brief explanation, the
purport Of which was that he had re-
ceived letter from Attorney General
Griggs denying that at banquet in
New York he had, as quoted, expressed
the opinion that the legislation made
for one-half developed colonies could
not reasonably be expected to meet
the demands of the greatest nation in
the world.
Morgan presented a memorial from
ho r1 Of n 70 10