The Washington times., 1902-03-29
Objects to Passage of Bills
Mr.. Roosevelt Right
fully Disapproved.
TO CORRECT MILITARY RECORDS
Measure for Relief of Calvin A. Rice,
However, Passes House by Overwhelm-
ing VOte-To Yield an Abdication of
Power, Says Mr.. Hay.

Representative Talbert Dem.. S. CD
interjected an unusual degree of life and
interest yesterday into the ordinary dull
proceedings of private pension day" in
the House.
In a Characteristic speech he declared
himself as thoroughly in accord with the
President upon the matter of refusing
to correct the military records of de
serters, bounty jumpers, and coffee cool
ers," although he disagreed with him on
almost everything else.
During the course of his remarks Mr.
Taibert was interrupted by Messrs. VAN
diver. Hay. Parker of New Jersey, and
Esch. The colloquies which resulted af-
forded the House great deal of amuse-
ment and entertainment.
Presidents Veto Read.
Just before the House went into Com
mittee of the Whole for the considera-
tion Of private pension bills. the Presi-
dents message was read, in which he ve-
toed the bill to remove the charge of
desertion against Emmanuel Klauser
This afforded Mr.. Talbert very perth
nent text for an attack on the first bill
called up from the Committee on In
valid Pensions-one to correct the mill
tary record of Calvin A Rice
Mr.. Talbert said it was useless to go
on passing such bills. as the President
would disapprove them, and he believed
he was right in doing so.
Il have been fighting against these bills
for the past ten years" continued Mr..
Talbert. "and now am glad to know that
/ have al last the support of the Execu
tive of this nation. | agree with him
fully in what he says, and l am glad to
do so. for it is about the only thing that
do agree with him upon.
II believe, as he does, in preventing the
placing upon the roll Of honor the names
hands of the people. ANY man who will
desert the flag of his country is not
worthy of any consideration"
Mr.. Talbert quoted literally from the
Presidents two veto messages. and in DO
ing SO referred to the case of James w.
Howell. This brought Mr.. Vandiver (Dem,
Mo- into the discussion. who declared
that the South Carolina member did not
know what he was talking about in his
reference TO the Howell case.
Regrets Colleagues Success.
81 want to ask the gentleman from Mis-
souri," retorted Mr. Talbert, "if, after
being away from here for three weeks
seeking denomination in his district.
he desires to come back here, and plead
for deserters, bounty jumpers. and coffee
coolers? II SO, / am sorry that he was re-
nominated. although he is a Democrat.
This sally threw the House into a
tumult of laughter. and during the argu-
ment that followed Mr.. Talbert had de-
cidedly the better of the Missouri mem
Der.
'oh, am sorry that the gentleman
takes that position. | trust he does not
mean it," protested Mr.. Vandiver amid
aughter. Later on Mr.. Vandiver insisted
hat Mr.. Talbert did not argue the matter
Ike good lawyer.
81 am not a lawyer, as the gentleman
nor yet the son of a lawyer" respond
Mr.. Talbert quickly, Il am an honest
In."
Again the House was convulsed with
lghter at the expense of Mr.. Vandiver.
he gentleman lays down false premise
then does not even argue from that"
continued.
r. Hay-Has the gentleman any in
nation from the President that he will
to?
- - Talbert--I have no information from
him. because ] have not been about him
] agree with him, as | said, although II
is the only thing We do agree upon. |
have never been crawling around him,
because / don't like him and his ways
believe the gentleman has been crawling
around him a good deal.
THAT remark is entirely uncalled for
/ don't go crawling around after anyone"
rr'ie' ~ U-- rotly.
.r Tai5-rt said he was willing to with
draw tho rtmariy n t was offensive.
Nr EsrH ssk 1 sir. Talbert If he did
r. know tnat Tie President had signed
U'9 1il .le day before.
Wei. AID not be much aston
shed sEll Mr. ra'rert, "at anything he
would H ] / only took him
at his word, and II he has gone back on
it already, / am not much surprised"
Further questions led to a somewhat
extended discussion OF the rights and
powers OF the legislative and executive
branches of the Government.
Mr.. Mann (Rep., Ill) said the Presi-
dent had not taken the position that he
would veto all desertion bills passed by
Congress. What he had done was to say
that bills should permit the War Depart
ment to correct the record. not require
that it be done. II would be the part of
good sense to amend the bill in such
case to meet that condition.
Would Abdicate Powers.
Mr. Robinson Dem.. Ind). Mr.. Cow
herd Dem. MOI, and Mr.. Hay Dem. Va)
thought the House and the Senate had
the right to frame bills as seemed best
to them: that II they yielded in that
matter they would abdicate their powers
and cease to be an Independent and CO.
ordinate branch of the Government; and
that the President has no right to direct