New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-10
LIVELY TIME IN THE HOUSE
DEMOCRATS INFURIATED BY chain
MAN HEPBURN's COURSE
EXCITING SCENES OF THE LIST CONGRESS
RE-ENACTED AT A NIGHT SEES
SION ON PENSION BILLS

Washington. Feb. 9-There was a scene al
the session of the House tonight which momen-
tarily recalled the stirring and exciting days OF
the List Congress. An irate member rusheu
down the main aisle, waving his arms anu
shouting for recognition while half the Demo-
cratic members were on their feet execratine the
occupant OF the chair for what they termed MS
arbitrary course and from several places in the
hall came loud Kisses.
Last Friday night Mr.. Talbert CDem., 5. u
blocked private pension legislation because
there quorum present. and threatened
to continue to do at every Friday night ses-
sion unless quorum was present HE warn
ing had it's effect. There an unusually
large attendance when the House was called to
order at o'clock tonight. Speaker Hender-
himself was in the chair. and the galleries.
usually empty at night sessions. were crowded
in anticipation of lively time Mr.. Talbert made
good his threat as soon as the motion was made
to go into Committee of the Whole. but the roll
call showed the presence of score or more
OF members in excess of quorum The friends
of private pension bills jubilant. Mr.. Hep
burn (Rep,, Iowa. called to preside over
the Committee of the Whole and the Clerk read
the first bill.
THE CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE
Mr.. TaIbert rose leisureIy while the bill
being put through the legislative stages. the
adoption of committee amendments, engross-
ment third reading and final passage and ad-
dressed the Chair. He was completely ignored
Another bill was read. engrossed. read third
time and passed, all in the space of minute
with Mr. Talbert still clamoring for recognition
third bill passed in the same way
BY this time the whole Democratic side was
aroused. A dozen members were on their feet
Mr.. Talbert thoroughly angered, started down
the main aisle shouting Mr.. Chairman MI
Chairman he approached. He reached the
in front of the Speakers rostrum. all
the while roaring out his denunciation of the
chairmans course before the chairman condo
scended to recognize him. Democrats all about
were also shouting their disapproval. The Re
publicans seemed to be enjoying the storm
which had been raised.
Mr.. Talbert rapidly cooled down after he had
been recognized, and explained in a brief speech
that the presence Of a quorum had completely
indicated his position. He had no feeling
against the men who served on the Federal side
in the Civil War, but he was opposed to loose,
reckless, unconstitutional methods. He suggest
ed that the House set aside day each month
for pension legislation, and discontinue the night
sessions.
Mr.. Sims Dem. TENN. who is interested in
Southern war claims, made some caustc re-
marks in criticism of the Republican leaders
for sidetracking those '''just obligations of the
Government in favor Of pension bills.
Does the gentleman contend that the Gov
eminent owes the old soldiers nothing?' inter-
rupted some one on the Republican side.
oh" OH jeered the Democrats.
THIRTY FIVE PENSION BILLS PASSED.
The committee thea proceeded with the con-
sideration of pension bills and thirty-fve were
favoraby acted upon. At 1920 o'clock the
House adjourned.
Before adjournment Representative Gaines. of
Tennessee. called the attention of the House to
Section .T16, Revised Statutes. under which
widow, child heir of any person who engaged
in, aided abetted the Rebellion can receive
pension, and the Pension Committee signified
that it would look into the matter and take
suitable action.
When the House first met to-day it was agreed
that the adjournment should be until Monday.
Mr.. Payne moved recess until o'clock to-
night. This was opposed by those interested in
claims the day set aside under the rules for
consideration of private bills. The motion
finally prevailed, however. and the House took
a recess.
Bills were introduced by Mr.. Barham. of Cali
fOrnia, for a cable from the United States TO the
Philippines, and by Mr.. Jones. of Washington.
extending to Alaska the United States laws on
the sale Of coal and stone lands