New-York tribune., 1911-01-11
PENSIONS, A5,oOO,OOO
House Votes to Add That Amount
to Rolls.
a VICTORY FOR CANNON
Norris Indignant Over Result of
Rules Fight-Hearing on
Hill Bill.
lFrom The Tribune Bureau. J


washington, Jan. 1o-The House to-day
passed the sullowsy general pension bill,
which grants pensions ranging from sl2 to
Ss month to all soldiers who served
ninety days in the United States Army IN
the Civil War or sixty days in the Mexican
war and who have reached the age OF six
Sy-two years. The bill adds about $50 90
a year to the pension roll 1t was opposed
by many Of the leaders, including Repre-
sentative Payne. chairman Of the Ways
and Means Committee: Representatives
Mann, Weeks, Dalzel. Longworth and
others For a time II looked as II the bill
would fail. but just at the psychological
moment Speaker Cannon took the floor for
the nrst time this session and made such
strong speech IN advocacy Of the measure
that the House rang with cheers and ap-
plause and the bill went through oy the
overwhelming vote Of 212 to 81.
II is pretty generally admitted that MI
Cannon was never IN better form than ne
vas this afternoon and that few speeches
have had such an effect as his brief al
dress He made the eagle scream and the
stars and Stripes flap in the breeze he
indulged In fights OF fancy and throos oi
sentiment, and described the condition OF
poverty stricken Union soldiers IN terms
that almost brought tears 10 the eyes OF
the marble effigies in statuary Hall. And
os course. he got lively round Of applause
when. discussing the Civil War, he pointed
dramatically TO the Democratic side OF the
House and said: "You thank God. and we
on this side thank God. for the great result
of the COS"
The Speaker predicted that the standing
army OF the United States would never be
increased beyond its present limit, declared
that the main dependence OF this nation
WAS its citizen soldiery. and urged that
rroner recognition be given to the veterans.
After the applause had died away the
hin was promptly passed. The House lead
ers who had opposed II on the floor voted
against its passage.
Fight Just On, Says Norris
Rs,rssentatlve Norris. Of Nebraska, the
,,s,,rgsnt whose resolution brought about
the rules fight OF last March, was II an IN
Signant frame OF mind to-day because the
Democrats deserted the Republican IN
surgents yesterday and voted to uphold the
sneaker IN a ruling which was sustained
by vote Of D. 70 5S.
According 10 Mr.. Norris, most OF the
Democrats showed themselves thoroughly
inconsistent. whereas only few Demo-
Gratis and tUenty-eight insurgent Republi-
cans remained true 10 their colors and re-
fused 10 "hop."
We were apparently overridden by
majority combination Of Republicans and
Democrats" said Mr.. Norris, with evident
warmth, to-day But our record is con-
sistent. None Of the reforms we insugated
last spring has been abrogated by yester-
DAVIS fight. Those Democrats who voted 70
nulHfy the precedent established last spring
that the House may at any time amend It's
rules. as a matter of highest constitutional
privilege. pleaded that they did so because
their vote last March was revolutionary
and was not intended 10 establish prece-
dent The rules fight Of last March was not
revolutionary.
Yesterdays attack on the precedent set
last March and the various attacks on the
new rules formulated al that time, inelud-
ing the hlibuster against the motion TO
discharge rule framed by Democrats, are
typical Instances Of the operation OF the
ooinion. that they were inspired by a
certain ring in the House, with the pur-
pose OF discrediting the results Of our fight
last March.
The fight yesterday was not an insur-
gent movement Representative Fuller
friend Of the Speaker. offered resolution
ana claimed It was privileged under the
constitution. He voted against his own con-
tent!on and TO sustain the ruling Of the
Speaker. and Representative Gaines OF
West Virginia, another friend OF the
Speaker, took the appeal from the cnar
and he voted against his own appeal II
looks TO me as though there was frame
up IN the House against insurgents and
small number OF the Democrats VINO voted
consistently with their attitude OF last
March.
''But the fight is just on and we Will
win in the end" despite the Inconsistency
OF certain members yesterday"