The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-29
FLOOD OF PENSION BILLS
OVER I'VE HUNDRED RAILROADED
THROUGH THE HOUSE.
ures Removing Charges of Deser-
ton Discussed by Members.

WASHINGTON, March 2S.-The House
spent to-day passing private pension bills.
In all 215 were passed. With one excep-
ton this is the record for the number Of
such bills passed at a single session. The
Presidents policy with regard to the veto
of bills tc remove the charge Of desertion
from the records of soldiers came in for
considerable discussion during the day.
Early in the session a number of minor
bills were passed. The sundry civil appro-
priation bill was reported and Mr.. Cannon
gave notice that he would call it UP on
Monday.
A resolution was adopted which called
upon the secretary of war for certain in
formation relative to the condition Of the
Missouri river improvements below St.
Joseph, Mo.
Mr.. Littleheld, of Maine, asked unanimous
consent tor consideration of a bill TO con-
fer jurisdiction upon the Court of Claims
to adjudicate the claims for duties col
lected on goods going into the Island of
Porto Rico between April IL, 1899, and May
l, 1900. The bill provided that the claims
found due should bear interest at 6 per
cent.
Mr.. Payne, Of New York, explained that
the refund Of these duties was made neces-
sary by the decision of the Supreme Court.
The claims for interest he thought were
just because General Davis, the military
governor of Porto Rico, subsequently, went
to the Philippines and service could not be
obtained upon him. The bill was passed.
Bills also were passed to transfer the
title to the military reservation at Baton
Rouge, La, 10 the Louisiana State Agri-
cultural College; 70 allow the commutation
OF homestead entries in certain cases upon
the coded portion of the Sioux Indian rescr-
walton in South Dakota; to grant a right
of way through the San Francisco noun
tain reserve TO the Central Railroad Of
Arizona, and TO authorize the loan of revo-
lutlOnary trophies to the Morgan Associa-
ton, of Winchester. Va.
The Presidents veto of the bill to remove
the charge of desertion from Emanuel
klauser was laid before the House and re-
ferred TO the committee on military affairs.
The first bill on the calendar to-day was
TO correct the military record of Calvin A.
Rice, and Mr.. Talbert, of South Carolina
mad. it the text of a speech against this
class of bills. He referred to the veto of the
President, just read, and his other vetoes OF
like bills. Il am glad" said he, ito see
that the chief executive has come to my as
sistance 10 keep the roll of honor from be-
ing besmirched by deserters. While l dis.
agree with the President in almost every
thing else, l heartily indOrse his position in
this matter. l have protested against the
passage of these desertiOn bills for ter
years" He moved to lay aside the bill
with an unfaVorable report.
Mr.. Mondell, of Wyoming. declared thai
the bill did not seek to remove the charge
of desertiOn. Rice, he said. was an officer
and had been unjustly dismissed for being
absent without leave.
Mr.. Mann. of Illinois, declared that Con.
gress should consider the attitude of the
President toward a certain class of bins
He denied that the President had declared
that he would sign no bills correcting the
military records of soldiers. The President
he said. had objected To the form of some
of these bills, which. instead of permitting
the secretary of war TO change the military
record. required him 10 make the change.
Mr.. Robinson. of Indiana, Interrupted Il
say that Congress should act as an indie
pendent branch OF the government. i
should not abdicate its powers. II the
President did not approve an act of Con
gress the responsibility would not rest witt
him.
Mr.. Mann thought il a waste Of time FOL
Congress 10 pass bills knowing they would
not be signed. He thought the bills shoulC
be placed in such form that they woulC
command the Presidents approval He die
not know what the President would do, h
said, but II he was consistent he would vet'
every bill which was directory in form.
Mr.. Hay, of Virginia. commended that /
special bills were only 10 be permisSive. no
directory, then Congress had as well pass
a general law giving the secretary OF wal
permission 70 change military records o
any soldier. The bill was laid aside will
/ 4 favorable n ,