Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-12-25

the matter. Ifthe Secretary of War had
The power TO strike from the Pension LIST
The name OF auy individual enrolled on il:
or u, not legally having the power, he
bad exercised II, the subject ough, 10 be
enqulred into. Mr.. l.. was of opinion
that The Secretary neither had, nor ought
to have this power. The law prescribed
certain requisites and conditions, which,
being complied with, person should
have right 10 be placed ON The Pension
List, without reference TO any discretion
airy power IN the Secretary; and, being
placed there, the law gave him no auiho-
ri,y TO dIspiace him. Are these men, said
Mr.. L. dependent fer their subsistence
on the VIII OF the Secretary of War? When
we nave required certain forms and so
lemnities TO place persons on the Pension
LIST, Is he, without form and without So
iemnify, merely OH the information
OF some friend in whom he has conf
dence, justified in striking any one of
them from the list? Mr.. l.. thought moi.
lie washed not 10 be understood as mani
testing any want of confidence i'm The
virtue or talent of the Secretary of War
OF which no man had bigAcr opinion
Out virtue, nor any talent. was proof
against misconception OF erroneous iuior-
nation, &c. Mr.. L. made a number of
Other remarks Of a general nature, ON the
subject of the Revolutionary Pension
Law. he knew, he said, that some per-
sons entertained strong impressions a.
gainst this law, and that il had become
oeiohS 10 seine on account of the nuin-
Der OF persons whom il embraced. But.
MT. l., said, ought we not rather TO re-
joee that so many who served their
country IN critical times yetdiye, and that
me nation possesses The means Of sus-
tanning them when no longer able to sup
port themselves For his part, ne SAID, he
reJolced that the number was so great
ana, SO Tar from desiring 10 see ii diminl
ished by the lapse Of years, had he. the
power, he would say 10 each of5tbem.
Soldier OF the Revoluiion-Live for everi
Mr.. Whitmdn defended TIis motion 10 lay the
Iesoluii9n Oh the table. Among other Things
he said he was sorry TO differ in opinion from
the gentleman last mp, with respect to the
power said 10 have been exercised by the Sc
cFetary or War. Ii appeared TO him that the
oeeretaty OF war must have this power, be-
canse such power must somewhere exist. If
ne had been imposed upon by fraud, he Ger
tainiy had, or ought 10 have, the power 10 re-
YOKE The actwhich was founded Oh frand aud
.aIse representations. There could be no
possible danger from the exercise of such "A
power by the Secretary of War: il was power
exercised at his peril, and which he wonld in
no Case exercise but npon Conclusive evidence.
any individual, e-might come TO this House
Tor redress, and, If aegrieved, he could obtain
il.
= The question on laying the resolve on the
table was decided i'll the negative.
MIR. Han, of Massachusetts, said he had M
objection 10 the first part of the resolves. but
lie nad 10 The latter part (being that added on
motion OF Mr. Strother) which he thereloig
moved 10 strike out.
MIR. STROLLER oppose this motion, .or h1cft
lie protested himself una bic to see any ace.
quate motive. Ii fraud had been comiu,iI.s
1t was PSI rer 10 enquire into alt the circnmS
stances connected with il, and into the omar
ter Of the couGiry in which il occurred
Mr. Rich moved TO postpu the further co.,
siderati0n OF this resolve to tile FIST Moudav
IN January, on the ground that fhe subje wig
already before committee Of the House. ON
his motion, and to pass this resolution would
be TO Indicate a want of confidence in their
disposition 10 e. QUirr in,o the facts Commented
with hi subject. +.
The motion tor postpoDenent was negatiy.
ed as also was Mar. HIS motion. after some
debate, IN the course of which Mr.. TGpior of
New YORK, supported, and Mr.. Sfrother ppos.
ed the motion. The latterigentemau inciden.
tally expressed the opinion that the power
does belong 10 the Secretary of War, which he
is represented TO have exercised of striking
from the pension list those who have gotten
there by the means Of fraud.
On motion of Mr. Taylor, the enquiry was ex-
tended, by incorporating i'll Mr.. StrotherS "a
nendrneht the words and The line to tcItich
they belonged, and their rank"
On motion of Mr.. Storrs of New York. the
TeSointIun was further amended BY adding
thereto the words " and also the regulations a.
dopted bg the IVG Department IN relation 10 the
Pram,nation and admission Of claims for pensions
nRder this act"
Thus amended, the resolution was agreed to
without division,
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