Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-11
Mr.. Mason Addresses the Senate on
His Resolution.
PENSIONS FOR The FREEDMEN
Overstreet and Maddox on the
Currency Bill.
PRO AND CON

The announced intention of Mr.. Mason
OF Illinois to address the Senate today on
his resolution expressing the sympathy of
the Senate with the South African repub-
lies in their war with Great Britain drew
a large audience to the Senate galleries.
In the absence of President Frye, Mr.
Platt of Connecticut was designated to oc-
cupy the chair.
Mr.. Hoar presented resolutions of the
Massachusetts legislature in favor of a
constitutional amendment providing for
uniform hours of labor in manufacture in
the United States.
Mr.. Platt of Connecticut presented reso-
lutions of the legislature of Connecticut op-
posing the admission of polygamsts to
Congress.
Mr.. Cockrell of Missouri directed the at
tention of the pension committee to q bill
introduced by request by Mr.. Pettus of
Alabama, providing for the payment of a
pension to freedmen.
Mr.. Gallingcr. chairman of the committee
on pensions, expressed the opinion that no
such measure should have been presented
to Congress. He read certificate of mem
bersfiip in The eX-Slave and Pension As
sociaton," showing that the members were
required to pay % cents membership fee
and 10 cents q month to be used as a fund
to secure the passage of the bill.
In my judgment, said Mr. Gallinger
this is bill that ought not to, and prob
ably will not, receive the favorable con-
sideration OF the pension committee. The
promoters of the bill are deluding thou
sands of poor people and are simply try
ing to keep this agitation alive for their
own benefit.
Mr. Mason of Illinois, who had introduced
the bill in the last Congress, expressed his
belief that 1t was being exploited for bad
purpose.
Mr.. Cockrell believed 1t would not do to
let the bill slumber in committee room. He
urged that it be reported back adversely as
soon possible.
After the bill had been adverted TO brief
ly by Mr.. Hoar and others it was referred
to the pensions committee.
Mr. Pettigrew of South Dakota offered a
resolution calling upon the Secretary of
War for all orders and reports relating to
Gen. H. C. Merriam's action toward the
Coeur d'Alene miners, reciting certain
charges against Gen. Merriam in his con-
duct of the affairs.
Mr.. Chandler objected to the immediate
consideration of the resolution and it went
over.
Mr. Mason for the Beers.
Mr.. Mason Gll) then called up his reso-
luton offered a few days ago. expressing
the sympathy of the Senate with the South
African republics in their war with Great
Britain. His speech was long and was de-
livered with characteristic vehemence. He
was accorded careful attention by his col
leagues and by the gallery auditors. He
maintained that, under the Monroe doctrine
and precedents previously established, the
United States had the same right to ex-
tend its sympathy and hopes for success to
the Beers in their struggle for liberty as it
had to interfere with Spain in its conduct
of affairs in Cuba
He urged that the interests of the United
States were aroused by the fact that the
South African war was a struggle between
democracy and royalty-between the di-
vine right of kings and the divine right of
man.
IF we should speak and speak quickly
it would sting the politicians who brought
on the war for the greed Of gold and cheer
the poor, brave Dutch defender of his
home.'' he exclaimed.
He cited large number of authorities in
support of his position. He declared that
the Lilliputian statesman, rafting around
in Gladstone's shoes, trying to undo his
work and break his promises, is deceving
no one except possibly himself
Mr.. Mason adverted to the conditions
which brought on the war, entering fully
into the question.
Executive Session.
AT 3:10 pm. the Senate went into execu-
tive session.