The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-01-14
Mr.. RlXEYS PROPOSAL
Richardson, Ala the Only Democrat
Who Supports 1t.
The DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE BILL
This Measure is Called Up in tie Senate and
After Some Discussion Goes Over
Subject to Call by Mr..
NaIcnn
Nelson.
(By the Associated Press


Washington, Jan. 13.-The House of
Representatives spent the day in general
discussion of the Pension Appropriation
Bill, the first of the annual budgets The
debate took a wide range.
Mr. Grosvenor of Ohio. and Mr.. Hep
burn, OF Iowa, took occasion to denounce
a report presented to the last c. A. r.
Encampment criticising the course of
themselves and ther members of Con-
gress on the veteran preference" bill,
which was defeated at the last session.
They explained that their opposition to
the bill was due to the Incorporation
in the bill o. clause which had not
been endorsed by the G. A. r., placing
veterans OF the Spanish War in the pref
erential class.
Mr. Rixey, Of Virginia. caused some
thing of a stir on the Democratic side by
advancing proposition to open the doors
of national soldiers homes to eX-Con-
federates and to furnish Federal aid to
State Confederate homes. Mr.. Richard
son, of Alabama, was the only Democrat
who joined Mr.. Rixey in support of it.
Mr. Barney IWiseonsin) in charge OF
the bill eaid the estimates for the pay
ment of pensions had decreased from
$144, 600 900 to $13S. 500 600. He was asked
by Mr.. Richardson (Tennessee) why the
amount for pensions decreased five and
half millions, while the number of
pensioners was said to be larger
Mr.. Barney explained that this was
accounted for by the fact that the ar
rearages were decreasing, and the num-
Der OF large pensions Chose from $50 to
$75 a month"; was also decreasing. In
reply to another question he stated that
the Commissioner of Pensions believed
that the high Eide of pension payments
had been reached and the amount re-
quired probably would remain stationary
for some years.
Mr.. Talbot (South Carolina) delivered
general speech on the subject of pen
sions to show the growing extravaganza
and fraud of the present system. He
thought the practice of passage of spe-
ctal pension bills should be abandoned.
Mr.. RiXey (Virginia) took occasion 10
submit an argument in favor of a bill
introduced by him today TO admit Con
federate veterans to national soldiers
aid to State Confederate homes in the
South as was extended to State Union
homes.
Mr.. Rixey said that a somewhat similar
bill introduced by him in the last Con-
gress had provoked considerable hos
tility and criticism in the South and in
the North, but he believed the time had
come when the doors of Union homes
could be opened to Confederate veterans.
The restrictions against eX-Confed-
crates participating in the Government
and against ex-Confederates holding COM
missions in the army or navy having been
removed he argued that the barrier,
which stands across the path of ex-
Confederate soldiers should also be re-
moved
Mr.. Richardson (Tennessee) the Demo
cratic leader, interposed to declare that
never would he be willing to see ex-
Confederates enter Union homes. The
debate grew lively. differences OF opinion
developing on the Democratic side Mr.
Richardson (Alabama) sided with Mr..
Ri&ey, while Mr.. Laulbe CVirginia) Mr..
Bartlett (Georgia), and others opposed
the suggestion. Nj. Rixey declared that
he proposed to continue to advocate the
passage of the bill he had introduced,
whether it proved popular or not
MI Gaines (Tennessee) secured the
floor aud talked for some time about the
result of his observations in the Philip
pines on his recent trip to the archi-
pelago.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Gaines re-
marks, Mr. Lever (South Carolna) form
ally announced the death of the late
Representative Stokes of his State,
which occurred last summer, and offered
the customary resclusion of regret, which
We're adopted, after which at 4 SO p. M,
as a further mark of respect the House
adjourned.
MoRGAE QUESTIONS LAMPRE.