The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-20

now" he added. that if you insist on
continuing these sessions. you viii have TO
have a quorum on hand TO pass the bills
legally and constitutionally.
MIR. Mahon of Pennsylvania said that
| the agitation against the administration of
the Pension Bureau among old soldiers
was due TO the efforts Of pension sharks
in Washington and their organs. These
people sent to old soldiers and their
widows. whose names and addresses they
could learn, blanks upon which to make
applications for pensions. In less than
one case in forty, this ended their CON
nection with the case. But as soon as
the claim was allowed, Mr.. Mahon said,
they took SO from every case in which
their names appeared. or S25, in case
special contract had been executed.
In the year 1895 the first one of the ad-
ministration of Commissioner Evans, he
had paid out TO attorneys S130000. half or
tWc-t thirds of which went to these pea
son sharks in Washington. Last year Mr..
Mahon continued, she Commissioner paid
but S47IU00. in which fact he found the
motive actuating the present attacks upon
the Commissioner.
The special committee appointed at the
G. A. X. national encampment to invcsti-
gate the administration of the bureau, said
Mr. Mahon had done their wGrk thorough
ly, and reported that there was no ground
for complaint Mr. Mahon said he favored
the Insertion in the bill of a hearty en-
dorsement of the Commissioner, and pro-
vision prohibiting the robbery Of the PEN
sioners by the shark attorneys. In conclu-
sion, Mr.. Mahon gave the Democrats, many
of whom had met the Union soldiers in
battle the thanks OF the veterans for their
support of the pension policy and appro-
nriations of the past years.
Mr. Ball, of Texas, justifying criticism
of the present policy regarding the Philip
pines. read extracts from a speech by
Abraham Lincoln in the course of the
Mexican war. in which he said that that
war had been wrongfully and unconstitu-
tionally begun by the President.
Mr.. Benton OF Missouri congratulated
the Republicans that upon the eve of an
other Presidential campaign, by the
acumen OF Mr. Mahon, they had found
scapegoat on the pension questionable
pension attorney. He admitted that he
had found him. at times, TO be an OBJ
streperous animal but hardly responsible
for everything. In the course OF some
general remarks on the subject. Mr.. Ben
ton said that while there were pension
laws on the statute books. they should be
given liberal construction. When the
veterans of the Spanish war came to be
pensioned, Mr.. Benton said IL would be
found that their Representatives from the
Southern States would be as warmly in
favor of granting them as are the Repre-
sentatives from Northern States Of grant
ing pensions to veterans of the civil war.
1T all depends on how hard you are
squeezed how hard you holler." Laugh
ter.
The bill was reported to the House with
Mr Mahon's amendment and passed.
The retirement Of Mr. Gaines of Ten
nessee from Elections Committee No was
authorized by the House, and the Speaker
announced the appointment OF Ntr. Snod-
gress of Tennessee to fill the vacancy.
Mr. Gayle of Kentucky was appointed to
the Committee on Public Buildings and
Grounds
At o'clock the House adjourned.