Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 August 1886 — JUDGE HOLMAN INTERVIEWED. [ARTICLE]

JUDGE HOLMAN INTERVIEWED.

Many Things Accomplished by CongressLands Redeemed—Seduced Expense?, From the Indianapolis Sentinel.] Judge Holman, talking of the work done by Congress in the session just closed, . said: “There have been a great many things accomplished which will materially strengthen the Democratic party, and do much to recommend it to the people. The wholesale forfeiture of railroad land grants is one of the most important pieces of legislation that have been before Congress. There have been more lands redeemed and restored to the public domain at this session of Congress than ever before. Upon the whole, it has been a very fair Congress, and I think when it has adjourned it will be found that its work has been generally approved by the people. When the appropriation bills are all m there will be lound considerable reduction in the amounts for carrying on the business of the Government. There have been a great many pension bills passed, and as these become laws it is necessary to pay them; and provisions for this have got to be made. The increase in pensions has been almost $15,000,000, while $5,000,000 have been expended this year for the payment of the Alabama awards. The river and harbor bill, if it is agreed to in conference, will add to the appropriation something like $17,000,000. It is very doubtful, however, if the bill ever becomes a law. lam inclined to think that the President has made a serious error in his numerous vetoes of private pension bills. I look upon it as being in bad taste, although it is true there ts a great deal of favoritism often shown in the passage of pension bills, through the influence and position of those holding places on the Invalid Pension Committee. If pension bills are to be vetoed it is unfortunate that the vetoes have been confined to that class of people who actually need the assistance of the Government. There have been other pension bills which granted to the petitioner larger sums than to the unfortunate and needy widow of the private soldier. All bills of this kind are an evidence of the kindly di&v position of Congress to show its gratitude* and charity to those who actually need it. If there are any mistakes made, let them be made on the side of the poor unfortunate families who bore the burdens of the war. The House, as a direct representative of the people, is the best judge of what is wanted in cases of this kind. “In vetoing the numerous public building bills the President has shown most excellent judgment. The erection of public buildings at places where there is no particular necessity for them is one of the most useless expenditures of the public money that can be indulged in. “The opposition to the Morrison resolution by the President and Secretary of the Treasury is one of the most serious mistakes that could possibly have been made. “Upon this subject, as upon the silver question, public sentiment is undoubtedly against the President. Tne general feeling is to put the money out where it would be employed by the people. “Mr. Cleveland would stand a great deal stronger with the party if he would modify his view* upon the civil-service laws. I think the next House will be Democratic, though the present majority will, no doubt, be reduced. “The public believe that the President is honest in his intentions to make a good administration for the people, irrespective of party. The frankness with which he has dealt with the subjects referred to would imply that he is not designing and scheming for a second term. He is unquestionably respected throughout the country for his honesty of purpose, though many of his acts, I think, are unwise and not consistent with the wishes of the parly leaders.”