Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-12-15
MIR. VEST LET'S No DAY GO BY
WITHOUT FILING 4 KICK.
THIS TIME 1T IS PENSIONS
MIR. VEST SAYS HE INDORSED
CLEVELAND's PENSION VETOES.
Declares That Pensions Are Granted
for Political PurpOses-Mr. Har-
ris. of kansas. Speaks in
Favor OF the Near
aqua Canal Bill.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 14.-The Nicara-
guam canal bill held its place as the prin-
cipa! subject before the senate again to-
day. Speeches were made by Messrs. Har-
ris, Money. Stewart and Morgan. Mr..
Money urged postponement OF the question
in order 10 permit an opportunity for ne
gotiations with Great Britain for a mod
%ification of the Ciayton-Bulwer treaty. and
Mr.. Morgan antagonized the proposition.
An agreement was reached 10 take a vote
on the Turpie postponement motion to-
morrow.
Other questions before the senate Were:
The governments pension policy and the
Iii regarding the registry Of foreign built
vessels wrecked on the American coast.
The senate opened with a protest on the
part of Mr.. G~allirger, chairman of the
committee On pensions, against Inc prac-
tice of senators of introducing pension
bills in cases pending in the pension office.
He said the committee would not consider
such bills. and it was useless to present
them.
Mr.. Vest again called attention 10 pri-
Vate pension bills and entered 4 protest
against their passage without due consid-
| Grafton, as he said the senate was falling
into the habit of doing. He called atten-
lion TO the fact that. Notwithstanding Hi
Eois had furnished $500 more soldiers than
indian the pension roll for Indiana eA-
ceeded that of Illinois by S1.500,eGO. He
accounted for this fact on the ground that
Indiana IS a pivotal state, politically. say
ing that it was notorious that the COM
missioner OF pensions. who was an en-
Union soldier. had granted pensions to al
most every applicant in political districts
which are close.
He did not contend that the Republican
party was alone TO blame. but knew that
men OF all parties were inclined TO use The
machinery of the pension Office to further
their political interests. lie was cognizant
of an instance in his own state III which a
Democratic candidate for congress had re-
ce!ved several Republican votes because ne
had secured pensions for the voters. He
had Endorsed Mr.. Cleveland's veto OF PEN
sion bills, and while he did rot want to
revive the old questions he would express
the opinion that the government had in
this matter fallen into a most unjust ana
iniQuitous expenditure by its iii advised
legislation and through political influences,
characterizins the government as an acct
Dent insurance company.
Alr. Gallinger suggested that Mr.. Vest,
instead of scolding the senate on private
bills. should propose amendments 10 the
pension laws which would correct The
@'eI'E "S to'hfbih4Il's y. 'titlItlli@, III.
Gtlinger said the committee had been con-
sidering the ad~visability Of publishing the
list Of pensioners. Yet, there were obiec-
lions TO the plan. and he feared that. If
undertaken. its only effect would he TO take
100000 or $4,000 out OF the treasury TO
no good purpose.
The bill providing for the registration of
foreign built vessels wrecked on the Amer
lean coast and repaired in the United
States was then taken up at the instance
of Mr.. Elkins and Mr.. Gallery addressed
the senate in opposition 10 it. saying that
under its provisions vessels would be
wrecked liz order to secure American regis
try.
AT the close of Mr.. Caffery's remarks the
registry bill went over until tomorrow and
the Nicaragua canal bill was taken up.
motion TO postpone until January 10.
Mr.. Harris then spoke upon the general
features of the bill. He said that. as a boy.
he was attached TO a surveying party in
the isthmus in 1853. and ever since that
time he had been The jealous advocate OF
the general proposition that a canal should
be built across the isthmus. Still. he did
not consider 1t practicable for a private
corporation TO construct the canal. and he
Maritime Canal Company's charter sup
piled the only open door and the commit
tee in charge OF the bill had determined TO
enter 1t. with the understanding that the
company was to be gotten rid of. MIR.
Harris said he considered the Panama
canal as entirely !mpracticable. He sup
ported Mr.. Berry's amendment relieving
the bill of its bond provisions. saying il
would greatly improve the measure.
The Claytun-Buiwer treaty formed the
basis of a brief speech by Mr.. Money. He
advocated delay in order to afford opportu-
nifty for negotiations looking 20 the abro-
CATION of the treaty: Mr.. Money said we
should at least notify Great Britain that
ue desire a modification of the treaty as
a first step. In this connection. Mr.. Money
referred 10 the entente cordiale existing be-
tween this country and England, SAYING
that he wanted 10 see the Two nations
brought even closer together than now.
dealing fairly and courteously with Great
Britain in this important matter.
Mr.. Stewart advocated the bill as a most
important step in the progress of the
world, and urged senators to accept it as
it stands.
Replying to Mr.. Money. MIR. Morgan said
he had never claimed that the Clayton
Bulwer treaty was not in fun force. deny
ing the assertion imputed TO him that the
been of the opinion that the treaty had
been abrogated by the acts OF Great Brit
ain, and would still hold that opinion but
for President Cleveland's recognition of the
treaty, a recognition which had virtually
given il a vitality that it did not pre-
viously possess. He opposed MIR. Moneys
proposition for opening UP the subject with
Great Britain.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Morgan's re-
marks an agreement was reached 10 vote
upon Mr.. Turpie's postponement motion to-
morrow. after which the senate went into
executive session.
AT 5:25 p. m. the senate adjourned.