The National tribune., 1901-02-28

Among the bills passed was one to PEN
sion the widow Of Gen. II. W. LRwton at
$50, the pension allowance proposed being
cut down upon the argument that Mrs
Lawton was now enjoying comfortable
income from the large benefit fund that
was raised. Mr.. TaIbert made a speech
against pension for Mrs. Lawton, argu-
ing that lit would be time enough to pen
sion her when by reason Of injudiciouS in
yestments or by loss Of her money she
should become the object of charity, or
if she should ever reach point where
she cannot maintain herself with the dig
nifty to which she has been accustomed,
this Congress might justly increase her
pension from $50 to 500. But when she
has an income of S4 600 year or more
it hardly seems to me that we ought to
increase the pension beyond the amount
fixed by the rules OF the committee, which
is already beyond the amount allowed by
law"
Mr.. Talbert, of South Carolina, made
a plea for the widows Of worthy priyates.
He said that when you compare the sim
pie, heroic, disinterested patriotism of the
private soldier with that of the mere con-
queror, the latter sinks into utter insigniti-
canoe. Their valor eclipses that of the
officers. The widows of the privates who
stood in the trenches, in the forefront of
the fight, bearing the heat and burden of
the day, often hungry and almost naked,
anu sDInetlneS lOuSy-tneSc WluOWS ue-
serve as much consideration rs the widows
of the men who wore the shoulder-straps
and who in many cases were back in the
shade OF the trees while these men were
in the front doing the fighting. l would
not take a single laurel from the brow of
any officer, for we need gallant officers,
we are proud of them. An army without
commander would be useless, and com
mander without an army would be still
more useless and helpless. We want both
in times of war, and neither should be
forgotten afterwards" But Mr.. Talbert
said he thought the pensions of widows
of priyates should be increased 'frmu Si2
to $50, instead of raising the pensions OF
officers widows from $50 to 800. He said
he would vote for the $50. He would op-
pose the increase of the pension in this
case. The question being on the Com
mittee amendment, which reduced the
amount reported by the Senate from 500
to $50, was taken. and there were % ayes
| to lS noes. The amendment was thus
| agreed to, and the bill laid aside for ia
vorable recommendation, and afterwards
passed.
SATURDAY, FEB. %.
The Senate passed the Fortifcations
| Appropriation Bill. First, however, Mr..
| Frye, in response to a point of order,
made by Senator Morgan, decided that
| the Nicaragua Canal Bill was unfinished
business, when there was no other uLfin-
ished business before the Senate. Mr.. Per-
| knS asked unanimous consent that the
bill be temporarily laid aside in order to
proceed with the FOrtifications Appropri-
| alton Bill. Mr.. Aldrich objected. Mr..
| Perkins moved that the Fortifcations Bill
be taken up, which was agreed to. Mr..
Morgan, in the course Of the debate, made
lengthy argument for the passage Of
| the Canal Bill. Mr.. Spconer insisted that
| the bill should not be acted upon while
| the HayPauncefote treaty was pending
before the British Government, as it
| would be a breach of international cour-
tesy.
A number of private pension bills were
passed.
The House took up the Agricultural
| Bill, with the Senate amendments, and
| disagreed to most OF them. That appro
priating 100000 additional for seed was
agreed to.
MONDAY, FEB. 90.
In the Senate on Monday last Mr.. Platt,
| of Connecticut, Chairman Of the Commit
tee on Relations with Cuba, presented an
amendment to be attached to the Army
Appropriation Bill. The amendment, in
| furtheranee of the intention expressed in
the joint resolution of April %. 1898, to
| secure the release of Cuba from Spain,
etc, provides that the Cubans shall have
independence by authority of the President
as soon as Government shall have been
established under Constitution in which
| they shall agree to several propositions set
| forth by the United States.
The amendment was sent to the Com
mittee on Military Affairs, soon to be re-
| ported.
With the presentation of this amend
ment and the revival of the Spooner reso-
| luton, giving the President exclusive
power to govern in the Philippines, the
Democrats were confronted by the Repub-
| iican leaders. Mr.. McKinleys firm atti-
| tude in regard to an extra session had
secured the cooperation of his party col
leagues. The Philippine amendment was
debated. and various additions were pro-
posed to it. The proposition was, pass
the Cuban and Philippine propositions or
| be responsible for an extra session
| through the failure of the Army Appro-
| priation Bill. The debate lasted all day
| and during the evening session, without d
| conclusion.
The House agreed to the Senate amend
ment striking out the authorization for
two battle-ships, in the Naval Appropria-
| tion Bill