The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1911-01-26

and knowledge that il will bring glad
ness and happiness and aid to thou
sands of veterans who to-day are in
great need of help. (Applause)
Speech of Hon. Marlin f. OImsted.
Hon. Marlin E. Olmsted. of Pennsyl-
vanfa, said, in part:
This bill. commonly known as the Sui
loway bill, is the only general pension
law which has been reported favorably
from the Pension Committee, and is
therefore the only bill of that charac-
ter upon which we shall have an OPP
portunity to vote in this Congress. It's
very number. 29346, is significant of the
volume of business now pending. If
permitted to take : its regular course
upon the calendar, it could not be
reached for consideration. 1t now comes
up under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill. That is the only way
in which 1t can be passed: and, taken
up in that way, it is not subject to
amendment. If it were possible to
amend IT, there ara several particulars
in which L should like to do So
The general sentiment of this whole
country upon the subject of pensions is
eloquently and. l believe. well expressed
In the message of President Taft
One effect of this bill will be to stop
the flood of private pension bills. Be
tween $4,000 and 1000 of them have
been presented during this Congress.
Only small portion of them can be
reached.
secured the passage of a. private
bill fox a needy and deserving old sol
der short time ago. Before the first
pension voucher under that special law
"a ha he
river to that other country where there
are no pensions, because there are no
wars.
l cannot stop to recall the countrys
needs in the dark hours of the civil
war: the sacrifices (which these men
made; the toll and privations they en-
dured; the injuries many of them re-
ceived; the sufferings which many of
them still endure. I.can only add that
] shall vote for this bill. cloud APP
plause)
Hon. James a. Hughes, of West Vir-
ginia, said that the bill is broad, hui
name, just and patriotic. 1t is not sec
tioHal nor political. II was conceived
in righteousness, born in honor; that il
Is a credit TO the Nation Just as 1t is
an act of justice to- the Nations de-
tenders; that 1t reflects honor upon the
Committee on Invalid Pensions; and to
Republicans and Democrats alike who
have unanimously brought it into the
House. Mr.. Hughes declared that the
bill is non-politieal and non-sectional;
that 1t is advocated by men of all
parties and In all sections. He said
he believed that whatever opposition
exists comes equally from both SIDES
both North and South. But Mr.. Hughes
Is in favor of even wider extended pen
ha, III 10 bi &c a
that he had introduced bills himself re-
lating to widows pensions, SO as to re-
move discrimination between widow
who had married soldier prior TO
Juen 81, 1890 and one who married
subsequent TO that date. He thought
that there was neither sense nor JUS
tice to allow a pension to widow who
married prior to the act of June 81,
1890, and to deny the same to a widow
married subsequent thereto. He stated
that the committee conscienticusly sup
ported al! pension laws that we're to
improve the conditions of veterans. IN
closing, ne said:
Some there be-politcians. not pa
triots-who would defer action until
the next Congress that credit or dis
credit for the success or failure of this
measure be charged to our Democratic
friends who viii then control this
House. But for one. say now is the
accepted time. Make no delay. He
who gives quickly. gives twice"
Hon. David A. Hollingsworth, of Ohio.
said. in part, that he had not at any
time during his service in the House
introduced any general bill on the sub
ject, and that he had contented himself
with simply trying 10 do his duty to-
ward the veterans of the civil war as
member of the Invalid Pensions Com
nlittee, and yet ne would yield TO no
member of the House in his efforts for
the men. who responded TO the call to
arms by President Lincoln to defend
the assailed Integrity of the Republic.
And he added: There is no subject be-
fore the House in which ! feel a great
er interest than that of pensions" Rep
resentative Hollingsworth. in speaking
of the objection to the bill that 1t is