The Washington times., 1902-01-14


day by a number of interesting features.
Chief of these was the interjection by
Representative Rixey (Dem.., Val of a
proposition to open the National Soldiers
Homes to the admission of honorably dis
charged Confederate soldiers.
The discussion covered a vide range
Mr. Talbert Dem., S. c. spoke for a
half hour upon the extravaganza and
frauds in the payment of pensions. Rep
resentative Gaines took occasion to talk
about The inadvisability of retaining the
Philippines, and he even mentioned the
silver question
Representative Grosvenor seized the
opportunity to vindicate himself of
charge made against him by committee
of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Adjourned without Action.
Two years ago the pension bill, carrying
an appropriation of s145 900 900. We S dis
posed of in the House in just twelve min
utes. Yesterday when the House ad-
journed at o'clock the bill. providing
s139 100000 for pensions, was still un-
acted upon.
Representative Barney called up the
bill Immediately after the District meas
ures had been passed, and explained it
briefly. In answer to question from Mr..
Richardson, Tennessee. as to why the
amount asked for had been decreased
while the number of pensioners had in
creased. MIR. Barney said that the amount
of arrearages was decreasing and also the
number of large pensions, those for $50
and $40 a month
The Pension Sharks.
Mr.. Bell Dem. COLI flayed the pen
sion sharks" He said they were i'm
portuning able-boded soldiers of the
Spanish war, who were physically well
when discharged, to apply for pensions
Speaking of the present Commissioner of
Pensions, he paid Mr.. Evans a compli-
ment by saying that he had made an ex-
cellent record in trying to discover fraud.
He thought, however, that the Commits
sioner had been a little too strict with
those old veterans of the civil war who
had but recently asked for pensions.
General Grosvenor (Rep., Ohio took
exception to a report of a committee of
the C. A. r, to the G. A. r. encampment,
ascribing the failure of the House to
pass the general preference pension
bill to himself.
Representative Hepburn (Rep., Iowal
and Representative Bingham (Rep.. Pa
were others whom the committee placed
on the white list" in the report.
General Grosvenor Defends Himself.
General Grosvenor had not opposed the
bill giving preference in the matter of
civil appointments to veterans of the
civil war. but had opposed an amendment
giving similar preference to soldiers of
the Spanish war, or who had served in
the Philippines. The effect of the amend
ment, he said. would have been to ad-
vance the young soldiers of the Spanish
war over the veterans of the civil war.
He had tried to have the G iectionabIe
feature removed on the floor II the House,
but had failed, and therefore voted against
the bill.
Mr.. TaIbert Dem., S. c. said he
was glad the time had come when
a pension bill could be discussed dispas-
sionately. He stated. in opening. that he
did not wish to attack the proposition OF
paying pensions to worthy soldiers; on
the contrary he declared that he was in
favor OF pensions. He did oppose extrav-
agance and fraud.
The Increasing Pension Roll.
He went on to show how the pension
roll had been steadily climbing up Cen
eraI Grant had predicted, he declared,
that $50 600 900 would be the high-water
mark. and Garfield had stated upon the
floor OF the House that the amount would
never exceed SIS, 900 900. Yet It had stead
lily increased until now 1t cost this gov
ernment more for pensions than it did
England and Italy combined for their
standing armies. and many millions more
annually than either France or Germany
paid Tor their large military establish
ments.
He did not wish TO revive sectionalism, |
he said. or to stir party strife, for" he !
declared. Il am proud to state that Old |
Glory today floats as freely and as proud |
ly among the palmettos of South Carolina |
as she does among the frozen pines of the |
North and East" (Applause)
LihernIity to the Deserving.
All old soldiers who fought for their
country should be provided for. Some he
said, got too much others not enough. and
these suffered at the hands of the unde /
serving The Government should be lib
eral, but only to the man deserving.
Not enough proper attention was given
TO pension legislation, he thought He ia
yored a codihcation OF the pension laws.
The most interesting part OF yesterdays
proceedings resulted from Representa-
tive Rixey's proposition to throw open
the doors of the national homes to Con-
federate veterans unable to earn a liveli-
hood and in need. He argued that all
other restrictions against the man who
wore the grey had been removed polit-
ical disability included. and Confederate
soldiers had even been given commissions
in the United States army and navy. and
none were more loyal than they
Much Interest Manifested.
Not all OF Mr.. Rixey's Democratic
brethren. or even the old Confederates.
agreed with him. but they were aroused
to deep interest In the matter and gath
cred in the aisles to listen. The contro-