Evening star., 1902-04-12

The House then went into committee of
the whole and proceeded with the consid-
Grafton Of private pension bills.
Mrs McKinIey's Pension.
The Senate bill pensionlng Ida S. McKin-
ley, widow of the President, at 5000 a
year. led to some discussion
Mr.. Bell CoD asked what justification
there was for such large amount.
Mr.. GrosvenOr answered that this fol-
lowed well-establshed precedent from the
time of Washington.
Mr. Bell said he would not object but
h. considered the precedent absolutely
case. he said. had an Independent income
the husbands estate inventorying at s21O-
wa and understood to include valuable
mining stocks. Mr.. Bell said many widows
Of old soldiers were without pensions and
h" referred to the number of widows who
could be assisted by the amount of this
one pension.
Mr.. Grosvenor Responds.
Mr.. Grosvenor answered with considerable
feeling He paid tribute to the beauty of
character of Mrs. Mckinley. and express
ed astonishment that any member of Con-
gress should view this pension in any venal
spirit and should propose going to the pro-
bate court to learn whether the widow
could sustain herself. Mr.. Grosvenor char
tcteriZed such methods those of cor
"ners jury 1t was the first time in the
history of such legislation, he said. that
there was ever found a man with the SEN
tm"nt nf Il Shylock, standing on the bridge
and estimating tne amount of property that
the widow might NdVe.
Mr.. cannon UlIJ also stated that pen
SiOuS to the wives of Presidents were in the
line or precedent.
Mr.. Gaines CTenn.) asked why the prece-
dent WAS not observed in the case of Mrs.
Harrison.
been consulted. and action doubtless would
he taken He pointed out however, that
the cases were quite different.
Mr. kluttz N. c. expressed regret that
any voice had been raised against this pen
sion. He considered it an absolute duty
that the widows of our Presidents should
be placed beyond the peradventure of want
Mr. Bells Position.
MI. Bell explained that he had made no
objection To this pension. He merely called
attention To the lack of pensions for many
widows OF humble soldiers, this amount be
ing sufficient 10 gire s. pension to fifty
two widows.
AIR Calderhead CKansl referred to the
number of widows of Union soldiers receiv-
ing pensions. not because of charity. he
said, but i'll the spirit of patriotism and
Justice.
Mr. Richardson (Tenn) said he had seen
granted several pensions to the widows of
Presidents. The custom had stood from
time immemorial If this was the first
cas- il might be desirable to stop and in
qItr" as to the need. But this was a
time-honored precedent, Mr. Richardson de-
ciarcd he would be the last to break that
Precedent in the case of William Mckinley
Nr. Richardson announced himself en-
ph4JIrally ir favor of the bill
Slr. kleherg CTex) declared that if for
n" "ther reason this pension should be
passed because President Mckinley wiped
out the last vestige of sectionalism. As
or" VII" had worn the gray Mr. Kieberg
sail. he Joined in this act of justice to the
widow Of one who had worn the blue"
Favorable Action.
vote was then taken on ordering the
bill a favorable report. and without a dis
strtirg voice favorable action was taken,
which was equivalent to passing the bill.