Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-07-28
PENSION BILL MEETS
DEFEAT IN THE SENATE
Before Vote Had Been Com
pleted Measure Was Laid
on TabIe-vote q to 20

The bill of Senator A. o. Blalock of the
Twenty-sixth to strike from the state
constitution the clause forbidding pen
sions TO Confederate veterans owning
$3.50 or more in cash or property and to
allow pensions to all who can offer proof
of service was amended by the author so
as not to go into effect until the present
roll shall have been diminished as much
as the new appropriation would increase
it, and after a discussion of nearly two
hours, was tabled on the motion of the
author, after the calling of the ayes and
noes had begun. The vote in favor of
tabling was % to 90
When motion to table was made % SEN
ators had voted against the bill, while
had been recorded as favoring it,
Senator Blalock stated that his motion
to table was made on the desire to in
vestigate assertions that the passage of
the bill would affect other appropriations.
Under the head of unfinished business
the bill of Senator A. o. Blalocx of the
26th district, to grant pensions to all
Confederate veterans who can present
proofs of service, came up soon Otter
the opening of the senate Wednesday
morning This is the bill which was
so vigorously opposed by President
Slaton on Tuesday. The bill is to strike
the 81 500 clause from the code and give
pensions to all veterans.
Senator Blalock offered an amendment
to make it impossible for the law to
go into effect until the pension roll shall
have been decreased sufficiently to meet
the increase. in order that the treasury
shall not be taxed.
Another amendment was offered by
Senator E. A Copelan of the 10Th to in
crease the five mill tax TO meet the
pension increase. This was opposed by
the author of the bill.
Senator Blalock said that before intro
ducing his pension bill he had carefully
gone over the pension records and didn't
believe that the passage of this bill
would amount to a dollar appropriation
more.
He said that he was absolutely GER
tain that President Slaton's estimate OF
the increase of pension appropriations
was greatly exaggerated and, therefore,
he had offered an amendment to tue eff
feet that the appropriation should not
exceed the present.
In refutation of the argument made by
President Slaton on Tuesday, Senator
Blalock stated that he felt sure that the
soldiers who did not need pensions would
leave the money in the treasury.
He argued that death is thinning the
ranks of the veterans and that this
lessons the appropriation each year. He
stated that ne ndu received a letter from
the pension commissioner assuring him
that, even without the amendment Of
fered, the bill would not increase the
pension roll.
He contended that every veteran de-
serves a pension and should be entitled
to it If he could offer proof of service
WON'T INCREASE TAXES.
Senator Copelan's amendment to in
crease taxes was lost by a vote of So to
5, and Senator Blalock's amendment was
adopted by vote of 80 to 10.
In voting against Senator Copelan's
amendment Senator Blalock stated that
he was endeavoring to secure pensions
for all veterans without Increasing the
appropriation.
Senator Sheppard asked to be recorded
against the Blalock amendment, saying
that he had hoped the author of the bill
would let IL etand as originally drafted.
1.-The amendment" said Mr. Sheppard,
SIS holding words of promise to the ears
of the veterans, but denying them hope.
don't believe that the people of Georgia
want a bill to give pensions to veterans
voted down. The state is by no means
bankrupt"