Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-11
PENs1oN1Na FORMER SLAVES
Mr.. Cannon Says That the Hanna Bill
Cannot Pass


During the discussion of the sundry civil
DIN In the House yesterday afternoon. Mr
smith, the delegate from Arizona. secured
the floor and replied to some Of the state
ments derogatory to Arizona made In the
Senate during the statehood debate. He
declared that the illiteracy charges were
untrue. and the Mormon scare" a gross
exaggeration. He ridiculed the investiga-
ton Of the Senate subcommittee on terri
tories. which. he said. spent two days in
investigation and two months In telling the
Senate what they thought they learned
He declared that the outrageous mlsrepre-
sentation and SANDER Of the people Of
Arizona in the Senate and in the press had
hurt their credit and standing.
Mr.. DeArmond (Mo) In q brief but ex-
ceedingly sarcastic speech relative to the
bill recently introduced by Senator Hanna
to pension the ex-slaves precipitated quite
an interesting debate. He denomnated the
bill curious evidence of the prevailing
trend OF politics." which was more val
liable as a piece of political maneuvering
than as piece of prospective Legislation
The introducer Of the bill. he said. an
nounced that he was not candidate for
the presidency, but from the same author
lily came the announcement that there were
no trusts. The exact facts could, he said
be balanced In the public mind after
study of both statements. The negro dele
gate, he said. was an important factor in
republican national conventions, and there
was nothing like making preparations in
good time. 1t was an interesting game and
those not concerned could watch 1t with
equanimity. 1t was a farce, he said but
still farces had their solemn aspects. And
1t was SOLDERING to think Of the old negroes
in their cabins in the south giving up their
small earnings until the time came when
they would turn for relief to their natural
protectors-the white people OF the south.
Democratic applause.)
in only frpo fnd M noA
mond's remarks lightly, calling attention
to the fact that Senator Hanna's bill had
been introduced "by request
But Mr.. Richardson (Tenn.) put a differ
ent view on the matter. He stated seri-
ouSly that companies were already being
formed and circulars were being sent out
to the ignorant colored people by unscrup-
ulouS adventures, and he thought both
sides should join in assurance to them not
to invest their quarters and dimes in this
chimerical scheme.
Mr.. Cannon responded that all should un-
derstand, rich and poor. white and black
cultured and ignorant, that the government
promised to all alike equality before the
law and equality of opportunity and under
1t each must work out his own salvation
Mr. DeArmond was not satisfied with this
statement, but asked for a more specific
assurance and In reply Mr. Cannon stated,
with emphasis. that II the ignorant were
being imposed upon they should be unde-
ceived-that In his judgment no such bill
could or would pass
At the conclusion of general debate the
bill was read for amendment under the five
minute rule. An amendment was adopted
to appropriate $4,000 for a lighthouse and
fog signal on Southampton shoals, San
Francisco harbor. 1t was agreed that at
the session on Sunday, February %, euo-
giles to the memory Of the late Representa-
tive Moody of North Carolina should be in
order
At sos pm. the House adjourned.