New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-22
MONEY FOR PENSIONS.
Vie5cs Expressed IN Senate Debate
Scott Would Pau al Soldiers.

washington April 1.-THE Pension Appropriation
bill. carrying appropriation OF over sS7Ooo.Oo0
and the Emergency River and Harbor Appropria-
ton bill, which carries $3.50 00 were passed to-day
by the Senate. leaving only the General Deficiency
and the Military Academy bills OF the entire list
OF supply measures still to be considered by the
Senate. The House bill increasing the size of
homestead entries in Western Nebraska to go
acres was also passed. While the river and har-
Dor measure was under consideration. Mr.. German
sharply criticised the failure to bring in general
river and harbor bill Speeches were made the
Pension bill by Messers. McCumber and Scott. the
latter declaring that he favored service pension
OF SIS a month
In the morning hour Mr.. Warren sought to
cure consideration of a bill providing for the pay
ment OF the claim OF the heirs OF Warren Mitchell
Of Louisville. for s12S692 on account Of cotton
seized during the Civil War. but the effort
antagonized by Messrs. AIdrich, Spooner and other
Senator's He then moved to proceed to the
sideratiOn of the BILL and a roIcall the motion
prevailed 40 to 10. Mr.. Spooner said the bill
very old one. and Mr.. Warren contended that
nevertheless. it mertorious
Mr.. Warren read from report OF the Court of
Claims giving the opinion of Justice Swayne to the
effect that the Supreme Court Of the United States
regretted that more evidence in regard to the
claim had not been offered, and indicating that the
adverse ruling the claim might have been diff
ferent II such additional testimony had been sub
rnitted.
The debate on the claim bill continued until
O'Clock. when under the rules il necessarily
laid aside, and the Pension Appropriation bill taken
up. That measure. however, was temporarily laid
aside long enough TO permit the passage Of bill
establishing a Supreme Court for Indian Ter
ritory.
The pension bill was then read Mr.. McCumber
expressed the opinion that the time approach
Ing for the enactment OF general service pension
law. this connection he referred previous
vice pension laws. and incidentally mentioned the
fact that there still living about six hundred
and daughters OF soldiers of the Revolutionary
War
Mr.. McCumber also discussed the recent executive
pension order. contending that it was in harmony
with the laws making pensions dependent upon
physical disability.
tie said that the fixing Of sixty years the age
Of half disability and Of seventy-hve years the
age Of total disability had been the result of long
and careful inquiry by the Pension Office. and that
it had been found necessary to have a general and
fixed rule to insure uniformity Mr. McCumber
said that the Secretary could not have fixed fifty
The secTatayv bA tIoI1,tt voSIfd 49, tbe sEsfroet
right to fix such but II would not stand be
ator who thought The Sscretarv Invaded the 1eId
Of legislation to test the matter by seeking in
junction.
The Emergency River and Harbor Appropria-
ton bill was taken up at this point Mr. Cor
man asked why no general river and harbor bill
Mr. Elkins. in charge of the bill, replied that the
had reported the bill had been that general biz
could be passed and that the state Of the treas
q
such measure.
There was "A controversy between Mr.. Aldri,il
and Mr.. German, the latter charging the Republi-
toIIrnmeGt for political purposes. and Mr. Adrich
asserting that Mr. German could discuss public
questions long as he chose.
MIR. German criticised the Republicans for not
passing a general river and harbor bill which was
due to "a decree, coming from all powerful
source. against the policy of which none could re-
sist."
The bill was passed and Mr.. McCumber reported
an amendment to the Pension bill appropriating
"a coo In addition to the carried by the bill
as reported of which amount H.500.0O0 is to pay
increased pensions to July next, under the old
age order. and s.. 10000 to meet deficiencies
Mr. Hale made the point OF order that the amend /
ment belonged to the Deficiency bill. where il had
been taken care OF, and the chair sustained the /
point
Mr.. Scott expressed regret that Mr. McCumber /
had felt called to defend the pension system. |
The man who: IKE Senator Nelson or Senator Al |
drich. had taken his knapsaCk his back. de- |
served the gratitude Of his country. 1t makes
difference whether the deficiency - 100000 |
500 90 90 for the soldier and his widow and
children, and II I could do so by vote Of mine /
would pay a pension Of S25 a month to every soldier
" whatever his term Of service and whether he was
rich or poor" He advocated a general revision ~ ]
the pension laws saying they now stood between
the soldier and his just rights. ?
The Pension bill was passed