The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-01
HEMENWAY HAS A HARD
DAYS WORK IN PLOTTING
THE SUNDRY CIVIL BILL
Several Tits Between the Indiana
Watch Dog" and Other
Members.
"JIM" ROBINSON REBUKED
For Charging Malfeasance in the
Conduct of the Coast and
Geodetic Survey Office.
Jim" ROBINSON REBUKED

OF the sundry civil appropriation bill was
concluded in the House to-day and the bill
was about TO be passed when Mr.. Sulzer
forced roll call on a motion to commit the
bill with instructions to strike out the par
agraph appropriating $4,000 for rental of
the New York custom house. The vote
showed a quorum was not present. and adj
journment was taken until tomorrow.
The right of boards of directors of state
homes for disabled VOLUNTEER soldiers to re-
tain certain portions of pension money re-
ceived by the inmates was discussed at
length. Mr.. Bell. of California, assailed his
own State for permitting a canteen TO be
established in the California State Home
and 'charged that the old soldiers were al
lowed TO draw their pension money from
the home in most instances only through
canteen checks. He strongly urged the
holding of their pensions by the home Off
Gals in trust He said his own States Of
ficials had degraded the State TO the posi-
ton of conducting a saloon and a grogshop.
Under the rule now existing, he declared,
the officials compel the soldier to surrender
his pension and then pay it back TO him in
canteen checks He stated that re-
suit of this system is a complete monopoly
or nearly every dollar that goes into that
home In the form of pensions. Instead, he
said, OF being an instrument and means of
temperance. the home offers inducements
Tor the old soldier to march up to the ad
Jutants desk and get his canteen check
He offered an amendment TO the bill in
terms along the lines of the law applying
TO the soldiers home in this city.
OPPOSED BY HEMENwAY.
Mr.. Hemenway, in charge of the bill, op-
posed the amendment because it was new
legislation on an appropriation bill He
declared that state homes not only secure
from the government 500 a year for the
care of each soldier, but withhold part of
the soldiers pension. thereby specializing
on the generosity of the government.
Mr.. Bell interrupted to inquire If the State
was not specializing on the pensions of the
old soldier when the money was spent in
canteen checks
II am ashamed of any State that would
do that remarked Mr.. Hemenway.
And am ashamed to say my State does
II, Mr. Bell declared; land l am here to
stop it,
Mr. Hemenway replied he would be
ashamed TO represent State that robbed
old soldiers. No such conditions, he said
existed in. Indiana in any of the States
where such homes are maintained
Mr.. Bell protested that he was proud of
his State. but ashamed CT the board of gov
ernors of the home.
Mr. Crumpacker differed from the view
OF his colleague, Mr.. Hemenway. and said
the matter resolved itself into a question
simply of observing a rule of the House.
A point of order by Mr.. Hemenway
against the amendment was overruled
Taking the floor again Mr.. Bell vigorous
ly protested against the canteen at the CAL
ifornia state home and urged the adoption
ed that no part of the appropriation shall
apply to any state or territorial home into
which the wives and daughters of soldiers
are admitted and maintained, nor shall any
part of Ii be apportioned to any state or ter
ritorial home that maintains bar or cam
teen where intoxicating liquors are sold
After extended debate an amendment by
Mr. Bell to correct the evils complained of
was adopted.
WHITE HOUSE FURNISHINGS.
Mr.. Benton. of Missouri, interrupted the
reading of the bill to call attention to the
remarks of himself and Mr.. Hemenway
yesterday regarding the appropriation for
furnishing the White House. He said he
did not want to be put in the attitude of
having suggested that $4,000 White House
stable was desired when there was no
founda ton for the statement. He then
asked for the estimate of the secretary Of
the treasury, which included 10000 for a
White House stable, and read from the
testimony of Col T. w. Simons. superin-
tendent of public buildings and grounds,
calling attention to the deplorable condition
a supplemental estimate of $4,000 for the
purchase of land Upon which to erect the
stable. The President, he said may not
have known there was a movement on foot
to build him a SEQ 900 stable on a $50 900
lot but there was foundation for his ben
ton's) question put to Mr.. Hemenway yes
terday.
Mr. Hemenway said the President in
formed him he did not want a stable and
the speaker also referred TO the fact that
Colonel Simons had withdrawn the esti-
mates.
MIR. Mann made point of order. which
was sustained, against the last paragraph
in the bill, providing that government car
riages used for public purposes shall have
painted thereon the name of the depart
ment to which they belong.
Mr.. Hemenway got around a point by
offering a substitute slightly different in
language but preserving the requirement
of the original paragraph. The substitute
was agreed to. The use of public carriages
for private purposes Mr.. Baker character
put carriages to be two and one-half
inches in length.
A new section was added to the bill pro-
viding that the annual compensation of
officers. agents and employees of the United
States, after June 50. 1904. shall be divided
into twelve equal instaliments, and that
each month shall be held 10 consist of
thirty days without regard to the actual
number of days in any month. Ii specially
provides that February shall be treated as
ii it actually had thirty days.
of the bill which was temporarily passed
over relating to the coast and geodetic sur
vey Mr.. Robinson, of Indiana, openly
charged malfeasance in the conduct of
this office. which, he said had approached
a scandal. He declared that the allow
ance for Communication of subsistence TO Of
ficers of the service had been abused SIM
ply as a means of increasing salaries He
cited instances were some officers received
81 per day in Communication of subsistence
whereas others in the same command re-
ceived nothing. He also mentioned by name
men on vacation who had drawn the al
lowance. He said that a system had
grown up in this service which was vi
cious in principle and preactive OF favor
ties He offered an amendment requiring
that the allowance shall not be made un-
less supported by properly authenticated
vouchers.
Mr. Hemenway declared that the money
allowed for the coast and geodetic sur
vey was less than that given other depart
ments Mr.. Robinsons information he
said came from a man who had claim
for allowance in the department which
would cost the government $4,000 Mr.
RobinSon's amendment was disagreed to.
Mr. Williams then moved TO adjourn.
which was Carried-10 to g. Amid applause
on the Democratic side the House at 5 40
adjourned until tomorrow.