The Washington times., 1902-01-15

The House devoted its time yesterday
to the further consideration OF the PEN
sion bill or to what might be more Trop-
erly termed allied subjects.
There was. in fact, very little said about
pensions, but there was great deal OF
talk about the old Confederate soldier,
what he fought for and what his rights
were, and the propriety OF the United
States maintaining authority over the
Philippine Islands.
In fact. a stranger coming into the
galleries at any stage OF the proceedings
would scarce have suspected that the PEN
sion bill was under consideration.
The Debate Uninterrupted.
There are no other ILLS ready for ac-
tion and, accordingly. the debate was al
lowed to drift along uninterrupted until
the close Of the session yesterday, when
Representative Barney, in charge of the
bill. asked that general debate end.
The bill will be passed today, as in all
the heterogeneous discussion there has
been no opposition to the measure Itself.
Mr.. Gardner Rep., Mich.) was the hrst
speaker. lie reviewed the general pen
sion legislation on the statute books ard
compared the treatment of 'he several
classes Of pensioners. The best treated.
he said, were the veterans Of the Mexi-
can war, many OF whom, he declared. had
never left tne camps where they were
mustered in or the States IN which they
had enlisted.
Spanish War Pensions Large.
1t was striking fact that the aver
age pension paid the veteran of ti'c Span
ish war of 1898 was larger than the aver
age pensiol paid to the veteran of the
war of 1876.
Mr.. NierS (Dem., Ind.), attacked the
Republican policy toward the Philippines
He said that if the Republicans would pro-
mulgate policy dictated by the know1
principles OF the Republic apa by the
Golden Rule, the Democrats would join in
giving the Filipinos free government
the United States to aid them in ma III
tanning it, seeing it grow int a glory and
honor not only to this country, but to the
whole world.
Instead of the Democratic party lack
ing a Philippine policy. Mr.. Miers de-
which had failed to state what it pur-
posed to do with those possessions. He
asked if it was the intention to maintain
a colonial system.
Cost of the Wars.
The war in the Philippines, he de-
clared had already cost nearly as much
as the total expense of the Revolution,
the War Of 1872, and the Mexican war.
Now the latest estimate was that it would
continue for thirty-five years and require
an army there OF 80 900. He predicted
that it would cost ultimately more than
the war CT the rebellion. And all for
what? he asked
Representative Otey CDem., Va), who
has succeeded Private John Allen as the
hunorist Of the House, made character
istic speech which contained but little
reference to the pending bill, but was
rather laudation OF the vaIor of the Con-
federate soldier.
The measure, he said. in opening, re-
minded him of a placard attached to the
body OF a man found hanging down on
the border Of Mexico. 1t read, This man
has scme good qualities, and others q
ID sight worse" 1t was so with the
bill.
Another Story.
Its provisions recalled 10 him the story
OF the lad whose mother was showing him
picture of Daniel in the lions den. The
boy looked for a moment and then ex-
claimed: "oh. mamma. there's one little
lion over there in the corner that amt
going to get any" So it was with the
South, he said, "She amt going to get
any,"
"They talk about reconciliation, ex-
claimed Mr.. Otey, and yet they continue
to call US rebels. | am proud OF having
been a rebel soldier. II there is any
thing that is left OF me, am a Confed-
crate veteran. Cromwell was the great
est rebel Of his time
Mr. Otey thought Mr. Rixey's PROPOSE
tion to open the doors of the National
was all right, but its purpose was toe
lofty TO be fulhlled. 1t would be like
strewing fragrant roses along the bloody
chasm.
May Need Shelter.
when / voluntarily retire from Con-
gress under compulsion," said Mr.. otcy
who knows but that / may want to seel
shelter in a soldiers home"
He said he knew there was a warm
spot in the hearts OF the old Union vet
Grams Tor the Ola Commentaries, ana nc
mentioned the names Of General HeDdcr-
on and General Bingham, OF the House
But for the Confederate soldiers, he said
there would not be this great pension roll
placing millions OF money annually in cir
cul6tion; there would be no sol1ierS
homes for the men who now tenant them
there would be no magnificent pension
building. where are employed 5000 clerks
THE Pension Oifice,' he said. sis Q
monument to Confederate yalor Between
the lines OF every pension certificate is;
sued can be read the words, Remember
the old Confederate soldier But for the
rebel soldier the name of General Grant
would probably never have been written
upon the pages Of immortal history
Soldiers of the Rebellion.
Never had there been such valor dis
played by any soldiers. he continued, as
was displayed by the Union and the Con-
federate armies, and, in the words of Ad-
,,l:Ia, Schley. he thought there was glory
enough for ALL"
Lauding the Confederai, soldier. Mr..
Otey said his prototype would never again
appear. No perils could awe him, no
hardships discourage him. no numbers in