The herald., 1898-12-16
Associated Press Special Wire.

WASHINGTON, Dec. l5.-The house to-
day surpassed all previous records in the ex
pedition with which it passed the pensiSn
appropriation bill. This bill in days gone
by has been one of the most fruitful themes
of partisan debate, but today, although
carrying S4,000000 more than the act for
the current year, it was passed in twenty
minutes without a word Of criticism.
The house today adopted the report on the
bill extending the marine inspection laws
to sailing vessels of 700 tons and over, and
providing for licensing of second and third
mates.
Mr.. Barney Rep.) of Wisconsin, in
charge of the Pension Appropriation BILL
then called up his measure and made gem
eral explanatory statement of its provisions
Mr.. Allen Dem.) of Mississippi, of the
Appropriations Committee, in reply to Mr.
Barney, called attention to the fact that
when he first came to Congress, fourteen
years ago, the Pension Appropriation bill
invariably precipitated a bloodyshrt dis
cussion. He congratulated himself that
Congress has progressed since then and
that there was no ceremonious discussion
OF the bill. The country at last had the
gratifying information that the pension
roll had reached its maximum.
"And | congratulate the country for this"
said Mr.. Alien in conclusion, "that while
one of the most gallant and desperate sol
diers of the Confederacy (himself) had
helped TO recommend the bill, the Presi-
dent Of the United States is down in Dixie
doing honor to the Confederate dead. We
all have cause to rejoice" daughter and
applause).
There was no further debate upon this
bill. 1t was read through without word
of criticism and passed The whole time
occupied in its consideration was less than
twenty minutes This is the shortest time
on record for a general pension bill. The
Appropriation bill carries Sl45. .233.s3O being
$4,OO0,0O0 more than carried by the current
act, due to the increase in pension disburse-
ments which rose from $3.50 III in 1897,
tc $l4465l, ,S79 in 1903, The total number
Of pensioners on the roll Is 903,1li
-s-.--- THE AMERICAN BANK
The house then entered upon the consid-
Grafton of the bill to incorporate the Inter
national American bank. This project was
recommended by the Pan-American con
gress in 1889.
Under the special order Hill (Rep.) of
Connecticut then called up the bill ito
carry into effect the recommendations OF
the international American conference by
the incorporation OF the International
American bank" and it was taken up after
the chair had overrued the point OF order
raised by Bailey of Texas that Hill had no
authority to call up the bill.
Brossius (Dem.) of Pennsylvania opened
the debate in its favor. The bill, he said,
was an outgrowth OF the Pan American con-
Rres held in Washington in 1889.
The development of trade between the
United States and South and Central Amer
lea, he argued, was greatly handicapped by
the lack of adequate facilities for exchange.
The business transacted between this coun-
try and those to the south of us had aggre
gated more than S3,OOO,OOO,O0O since the rec
onmendation of the Pan-American congress
was made.
Practically all this has been carried on
by drafts on London at cost Of y to per
cent exchange. This American trade should
be controlled by Americans.
Cox (Dem.) of Tennessee, the ranking
minority member of the banking and cur
rency committee, opposed the bill, taking
the ground that it contemplated the crea-
tion of gigantic monopolistic banking cor
poration. Congress, he argued, had no
power to charter corporation to DO busl-
ness beyond the limits of the United States.
Walker, Republican, of Massachusetts,,
chairman of the banking and currency COM
mittee supported the bill.
Jenkins Republican, of Wisconsin, op-
posed the bill, claiming that congress had no
power to create such a bank as it contem-
plated.
AT the conclusion of Jenkins remarks ii |
was agreed that a vote on the bill should be |
tahen at 3 o'clock tomorrow.
During the debate the Indian appropria-
tion bill was presented. The total amount
carried by the bill is $7,347 1864. The appro-
priation for schools shows a considerable |
increase, and provision is made for new
buildings at four places, namely: In the
southern part of Utah, at place to be here
after designated; on the Lac Courte dor
eilles reservation, Wisconsin; At blackberry, |
Ariz., and at Morris, MINI. The total ap- |
preparations aggregate $2,8Sl, $3.50; those FOR
gratuities, $664,625
After some further remarks by briggs
Democrat, of New York, and Bartlett, Dem
ocrat, of Georgia, in opposition to the bill,
and Lacey, Republican, of Iowa, in favor of
the bill, the house at 5 p. m. adjourned until
tomorrow.
IN THE SENATE