The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-01-20
THE HOUSE.
MIR. Ball quoted Abraham Lincoln.
The Pension BiIl.

Washington. January i9.--Duriug the
debate today on the regular pension appro-
priatiou bin (which passed, putting the
people in the hole TO the tune of Siic,-
900. 000J. Hon Tom Ball again took oe-
cssion 10 swat the republicans on the
Philippine policy of re administration
when the republicans questioned him, he
made them very tired by quoting Aora-
ham Lincoln's attitude In the Mexican
war. He proved by the record that Mr..
Lincoln then occupied exactly the same
position IN regard TO the conduct OF the
Mexican war, under the Polk admlnistra-
ton as the democrats now assume toward
the war in the Philippines; that whlo he
voted money and supplies TO the soldiers,
IN the field. he severely criticised the war,
as the democrats are now doing about
the Philippines. He silenced the opposi-
iioa.
Washington, January la.--The pension
appropriation bill, carrying sl45.gi5.2 5),
was passed by the house today It was
made the vehicle OF at attack Oh the con-
missioner Of pensions by Mr. curtis tRep
Kan.) aud several Northern democrats.
All inveighed against the lack Of lib-
crafty In the administration Of the pen
sion laws rider was finally put on
the bill by unanimous consent, empower
ing the commissioner In his discretion to
withhold the fees OF attorneys Of record
in pension cases where he was satisfied
that tho attorneys had not prepared the
cases under tnelr personal supervision.
The pension appropriation bill engaged
the attention Of the house today. M
Barney (wis.l, In charge OF the bi. mo lie
a statement OF It's contents. He said th-
commissioner % pensions estimated the
amount during the coming year wou &
largely deCrease, but that owing 70 IA
inllux OF claims on account Of the spani N
war, he did not deem II wise TO ieiucc
the general appropriation this year, TGere
were 25000 Spanish war claims pending,
The pension commissioner thought S5,ojO,
000 or &c. 200 would cover these claims
Mr., Curtis (KauD essalled Some OF tnt
rulings OF the commissioner OF pensions
tracing their origin to the startling "lal 3,
and fictitious charge made IN 1893 thai
thousands Of fraudulent pensioners welC
on the rolls
III the present commissioner Is not con-
Quoting the office properly, is not th'
remedy 10 the hands OF the administra
tion?' asked Mr. Bartlett tGaO.
II do not believe the president indorse
the acts OF the commissioner, replied MI
Curtis. II do not believe he knows Nha
is going on"
Was not the commissioner soldier o
the Union
They say be was, replied Mt Curtis
i do not believe he ever carried mus
KEEL"
Here Mr. Grosyenor (0hlol intervena
TO say that Commissioner Evans was
private soldier in Wisconsin regiment
and later Joined the army Of the Cumber
land Before the close OF the war he wa
made 4 clerk In the qusrt9rmaster's oftic
at Chattanooga.
MAY not all the trouble be due" uake
Mr.. William Alden Smith tMichl, TO III
employees In the pension office who are 90
of sympathy with the old soldiers, but wh
ire protected In their position by N,
civil service law p
Il have oeen told that that was trl>A
replied Mr., Curtis, but the ecmmAsione
OF pensions has The power to remedy tina
condition lie inve .ghod especially agaiur
the ruling which deprived widows OF ia
benefit OF the Dependent act OF 1890 II the
mad an Income OF S9b year"
Mr.. Robinson (lnd.) Joined in the az
saull upon The rulings of rhe pension oi
nee, o