The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-19
Moon Puts the Opposi-
tion in a Hole.
THE PENSION ORDER
Moon Offers Teddy's as an Amend.
il1ent to the General Deficiency
Bill, and Republicans say
He Seeks to Violate
Existing Law.
(By the Associated Press.)

tBy the Associated PreSS.)
s Washington, April 1S.-The House today
passed the last of the supply bills of the
government, the General Deficiency ap-
Iropriatlon measure, after stormy ses-
sion. which lasted till SIS in the even
ing. The contest was a party one over
the deficiency appropriation for pensions,
which the Democrats tried ineffectively
TO amend by Incorporating as a law the
recent executive age disability pension
order. An effort was made by Mr.. Moon,
or Tennessee, to secure yea and nay
vote on his amendment as TO the age dis
ability order. but the Speaker refused to
recognize him for this purpose. On a
pro rata motion to rccommit the bill. the
Democrats, angered by the Speakers re-
1usal to recognize Mr.. Moon, secured
roll call. but after the vote had been
taken all further opposition. ceased and
the bill was passed.
Mr.. Underwood (Dem. Ala.) offered an
amendment reducing the total deficiency
Appropriation for pensions to 81, 400, coo,
and Mr.. Livingston De1n. Geocgia) offered
another providing that no part of the ap-
preparation shall be paid to any claimant
Another amendment by Mr. Miers Dem
Ind increased the appropriation TO
$5,000,000. while still another amendment
was offered by Mr.. Moon, (Dem. Tenn.)
: providing that persons who served ninety
days or more in the service of the United
States army during the Civil War, shall,
when they reach the age of sixty-two
years receive SIS month. after 65 years
$S a month. after 6S years $40 month;
after 20 years $12 month.
1t developed that this last amendment
was a sharp move by the Democrats. Mr..
Hemenway made a point of order against
it, because, he said, it changed existing
law. Mr.. Underwood promptly stated that
1T followed word for word the Presidents
order and inquired if the President was
more entitled to violate existing law than
the House.
Mr.. Henenway declared that in the con-
fusion he did not get the drift of the
amendment, and in defending the appro-
priation as provided by the bill. said the
Democrats had been wandering around
for two months for an issue in the coming
campaign, and they thought they had it
now, but. he said. the Republicans would
meet them on that issue.
Mr.. Williams (Dem. Miss.) said the cr-
Ger was another illustration Of executive
usurration He elnphatically declared
that the order was a change of existing
law and insisted that the Commissioner
of Pensions had committed an impeach-
able offense.
Mr.. Moon Indignantly denied that he of
fered his amendment for political effect
His amendment, he explained, was offered
solely that there may be TO doubt Of
what the soldiers are entitled to, because
he believed the order wise and sensible
one if enactd into law in pursuance of
the Constitution.
The point OF order against the Moon
amendment was sustained amid derisive
laughter from the Democratic side.
All amendments were rejected and the
bill was reported to the House and passed.
ate IN the afternoon Mr.. Hit offered
his Chinese exclusion bill, introduced Sat-
urday as an amendment to the General
Deficiency bill, and it was accepted
Mr. Williams (Miss) sarcasticaliy de-
clared that this amendment demonstrated
how easy it was for the majority to do
the things. He congratulated the Repub-
leans for having found that substantial
legislation was a thing superior to- techni-
cal rules The bill. he declared, was "a
felcnious assault, a lynching bee. directed
against the rules of the House." But, ne
said. no Republican voice had suggested
it was not IN order. MIR. Williams pro-
duced laughter when, noticing Speaker
Cannon occupying a seat on the floor, he
said that he was almost struck with
paralysis by the fact that the Speaker
is sitting now by the gentleman from In
diana (Mr. Henenway) aiding and abet-
ting him in this felonious attempt to
strangle the rules
Conference reports on the Fortifcaftons
and Army Appropriation bills were agreed
The report on the latter bill was crit
cised by Mr. Hay (Va) because it con-
tanned legislation not enacted in either
House of Congress.
The House adjourned uEtill tomorrow