Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 June 1886 — ADDITIONAL NEWS. [ARTICLE]

ADDITIONAL NEWS.

Washington telegram: “About One hundred of the Democratic Representatives who voted for the consideration of the Morrison tariff bill held a caucus in the hull of the House. Representative Bragg, of Wisconsin, was chosen chairman, and Representative Mcßae, of Arkansas, secrekiry of the conference- Speaker Carlisle urged the members to stand firm in their purpose of tariff reform. Mr. Morrison then moved that the tariff-reform Democrats select one member from each State to constitute a committee which shall consider the advisability of issuing an address to the country explaining the position of that element and report to another conference to be held later in the present month. This motion gave rise to considerable discussion; but was adopted.” London dispatch; “In consequence of the religious prejudices stirred up by Mr. Chamberlain and other enemies of home rule Mr. Parnell has resolved upon a striking line of action. He will make a tpur through England and Scotland, and will address meetings in eight of the principal cities, his efforts being specially directed, in his capacity of leader of the Irish people, and a Protestant himself, toward removing the sectarian apprehensions as to home rule that have been excited by its enemies.”

An extradition treaty with Japan was ratified by the Senate June ,21, as also one for the resurvey of the boundary-line between the United States and Mexico. The Senate passed a bill granting Dearborn Park, in Chicago, to the Public Library, Soldiers' Home, and Academy of Design. In the House of Representatives, Mr. Henley introduced a resolution directing the Attorney General to prosecute all officers of the Union Pacific Railroad Company responsible for issuing collateral trust bonds, guaranteeing interest and paying dividends without the consent of Congress. The naval appropriation bill passed the House. The President sent to Congress fifteen veto messages, three qf them being upon private pension bills ; the other two were on bills for public buildings at'Siofix City, lowa, and Zanesville, Ohio. In refusing to approve of the act for a public building at Sioux City, he states that the postoffice is leased until 1889, and that occasional sessions of the Federal courts have been held in the connty court house without inconveniencing anyone; in disapproving the bill to provide for a public building at Zanesville, Ohio, the President takes the same grounds. In vetoing a pension bill the President suggests the significance ol the startling increase in pension legislation and the consequences involved in its continuance. He says: “I am so thoroughly tired of disapproving gifts of public money to individuals who, in my view, have no right or claim to the same, notwithstanding apparent Congressional sanction, that I interpose with a feeling of relief in a case where I find it unnecessary to determine the merits of the application. In speaking of the promiscuous and ill-advised grants of pensions which have lately been presented to me for approval, I have spoken of their ‘apparent Congressional sanction’ ill recognition of the fact that a large proportion of these bills have never been submitted to a majority of either branch of Congress, but are the result of nominal sessions held for the express purpose of their consideration and attended by a small minority of the members of the respective houses of the legislative branch of Government. Thus, in considering these bills I have not felt that I was aided by the deliberate judgment of the Congress, atad when I have deemed it my duty to disapprove many of the bills presented, I have hardly regarded my action as a dissent from the conclusions of the people's representatives. I have not been insensible to the suggestion which should influence every citizen, either in private station or official place, to exhibit not only a just but generous appreciation of the services of our country's defenders.' Tn reviewing the pension legislation presented to me many bills have been approved upon the theory that every doubt should be resolved in favor of the proposed beneficiary. I have not, however, been able to entirely divest myself of the idea that the public money appropriated for pensions is the soldiers' fund, which should be devoted to the indemnification of those who, in the defense of the Union and in the nation s service have worthily deserved, and who, in the day of their independence resulting from such suffering, are entitled to the benefactions of their Government. This reflection tends to the bestowal of pensions a kind of sacredness, which invites the adoption of such principles and regulations as will exclude perversion, as well as Insure a liberal and generous application of grateful and benevolent designs. Heedlessness and disregard of tbe principle which underlies the granting of pensions is unfair to the wounded, crippled soldier, who is honored in the just recognition of his Government. Such a man should never find himself side by side ou the pension roll with those who have been tempted to attribute their natural ills to which humanity is heir to service in the army. Every relaxation of principle in the granting of pensions invites applications without merit and encourages those who for gain urge honest men to become dishonest. Thus is the demoralizing lesson taught toe people that agaihsT the public treasury the most questionable expedients are allowbale." ,