The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-17


and charged that the departments were
full Of incompetents-
When the provision relating TO the
civil service commission was reached.
Pearre stated that II he thought the
striking out of an appropriation would
put an end TO the civil service law. he
would make the motion. He announced
his unequivocal opposition to the law.
He reiterated the charge made several
days ago that the departments were full
OF ineomptents.
Where are thsy?" asked Fitzgerald OF
Massachusetts,.
Where were they under the old sys-
tenn" asked Pearre. replying with a
question.
Everywhere. There were thousands
of them" replied Fitzgerald. %If the
bars were down now you would have the
departments crowded with Maryland
ers."
Massachusetts need not sheer at
Maryland" retorted Pearre, "a few DAYS
ago a gentleman read a list OF hundreds
OF Massachusetts, soldiers who never
smelled powder during the Spanish war.
but who are already eIamoring for PEN
sions"
Fitzgerald Indignantly denied that the
smelled powder in the Spanish war. The
Second Massachusetts, he said. had three
men killed, three officers and forty-one
men wounded in the Santiago campaign
In all the Second Massachusetts, lost
ninety-nine men. the Fifth Massachu-
setts ffty-five. the Sixth los, the Eighth
1877 and the Ninth 80
what was the cause OF their deaths.''
80
Disease. contracted on account OF the
inefficiency OF the government" replied
Fitzgerald. hotly. amid applause.
Fitzgerald continuing. told a narrowing
story Of the return home Of the Massachu-
sets volunteers broken and wrecked by
disease. II they had been rendered incapa-
bic Of earning living by the failure Of the
government to provide them with proper
care and sustenance. then. said he, they
were entitled TO pensions.
Hepburn called attention TO the state
nnent made by Sims on Wednesday con-
trasting the records OF eight volunteer regi-
ments in the North and South. showing
that from the former came SIS pension
claims and from the latter 7Gi Sims had
attributed the disparity to the universal
pension sentiment in the North. Hepburn
pointed out that for the purpose OF COM
parison the tables adduced by Sims we're
not alike. He was very eaustic In his cri-
ticim Of Sims action.
The latter said he had received the tables
from the pension ONCE, He had no per-
sonal knowledge Of the facts He admitted
some of the tables could not be prepared,
but commended that the main point ne had
40 bn ~
Southern pension claims) was correct
Green Pa.) who was n captain in a vol
unteer regiment during the Spanish war
and who served at the Chiekamausa said
that In the years 20 come in considering
pensions for the soldiers OF the Spanish
war. the sickness due TO NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Of army affairs would have TO be rccog-
nized
Cummings paid tribute to some OF tho
dead New York heroes. Sergt. Hamilton
Fish and w. A. Tiffany. and to the spien-
did valor OF Gov. Roosevelt. The mention
OF Gov. Roosevelts name brought out a
round of applause
"The only objection have to him." said
Cummings lis that he is Republican"
Uaughter).
Mahon said II was unfortunate that the
pension question had been brought Up 90
create partisan rancor. During the past
few years the Democratic opposition to
pensions had disappeared. 1t should not
be revived now. Justice would be done
10 the Spanish war soldiers without sec
tionalism.
Gaines denied that the Democrats were
opposed to liberal pensions: they were hos
tile only to the unworthy claims.
Clayton. who commanded troop OF cav
airy during the Spanish war. resented the
reflection upon the conduct OF the war.
our officers. regular and volunteer. com
pared favorabiy with those OF any other
country on earth. We had made fewer
mistakes than the British were making
and had made In South Africa.
Norton declared that IL the commission
or OF pensions prepared the tabies includ-
ed in Sims remarks he should 10 re-
moved
Taibert extolled the courage of Sims
II am glad he has placed the facts be-
fore U.S." said he. "He has opened the
eyes OF the house and the country"
Mudd then moved 20 strike out the civn
service provision, and II prevailed. rs TO
81. No record Ii made in committee. and
as soon As the announcement Of the vote
was made Cannon gave notice that he
would demand yea and nay vote Ia tho
house.
After seventy-six pages Of the blu had
been disposed Of the committee rose.
The night session for pensions was poet
poned until Monday night.
At o'clock the house adjourned
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START FOR NEW PROVINCE.