Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-02-18
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

muse Or REPRESENT ATIVES.
The resolution offered by Mr.. Cooke of Tenn,
calling on the Pfesiden, OF the u States for state
ment OF the compensation which has been allowed
to the Paymaster and of The Marine
Corps, for the two years preceding the LIST Janua-
ry, 1876, with certain details Of the same, was ia
ken up.
Mr.. Cook moved to amend the resolution, BY
directing the call TO be made on the Secretary of
war instead OF the President OF the u States
Mr.. Peter, OF Maryland, moved to insert the Sc
cretaIy OF the Navy instead the Secretary of War
which was accepted by Mr.. Cook; but the House
refused 10 agree 10 this modification OF the resolu-
ton; and
The question recurring on the resolution, as ORR
ginally framed, it was agreed to-
Mr.. Forsyth, of Georgia. offered the follow ING Z:
HeSoIred, That It Is expedent TO repeal 30 much
OF the act OF the I'd March, 1919. entitled 80 An
act IN addition to the acts prohibiting the slave
trade,' as provides for the appointment OF Agents
on the coast of Africa.
AseSo!ced, That 1t Is expedient SO TO modify the
SAID act OF the 81 March, 1870 as TO release the IT,
states IRON all obligation to support the Negroes
already reno we'd TO the coast of Africa and To nro
vide tor such disposition OF those taken in slave
SHIPS, who now are in, may hereafter he brought
INTO The United States, as shall secure to them a
lair opportunity OF obtoining comfortable sub,ist
ence, without any aid from the public Treasury
These resolutions were, at the request of the
mover, laid on the table, and ordered tn be printed
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
Mr.. Storrs. OF New York, offered the following:
hesolved, That it is expedient that the Consti-
tuition OF the United States be so amended tina, the
Senators from the several States shall not be an
pointed by the Legislatures of the States but shall
be chosen by the electors in each State. bavioo
the qualifications requisite for electors of the most
numerous branch OF the State Legislature
Mr. Storr5 said, that he submitted this resolution
merely Tor consideration atpresent. 1t the House.
wren they .houid take up the various propositions
oHered at tins session of Congress to amend the
constitution, should come to the conclusion tina,
some OF them should be adopted, he might, at
iu'ufe gay, eau their attention to that which he
now offered His opinion of its expediency mus,
depend ON the opinion which the House should
express on the other amendments now before
tnem, and which may very soon be acted on
ne should now only move TO lay the resolution on
the table.
The resolution was accordingly ordered to lie
on the table, and to be printed
On motion Of MIR. Thomson, of Penn il was
hesofoed' Ihatth Committee on Military At
fairs be instructed to inquire into the piopreiy and
eIpediency OF erecting chapel at the nIij;,ary
Academy at West Point, for the use of the stu
dents and persons there employ ed in the public SER
vice. 80
THE REVOLUTIONARY PEEsIoN SYSTEM
Mr. Esti!l OF Virginia, offered the following.
hesofoed, lhat the Committee on Military Pen
SONS be Instructed 10 inquire into the expediencv
oi so amending the several laws relating to Re
'oiu'nA'y pensioners as TO allow said pensioners
TO receive their pensions from the date of their se
veral declarations made pursuant 10 the provisions
o. the act o: congress passed the 18th of March
1915 entitled an act to provide for certain persons
engaged In the land and naval service of the Limited
States, in the revolutionary war.
Mr. Estill said he would offer to the House some
of the reasons which induced him to introduce the
Tesolulion- and in doing 30 It would be necessary |
10 revert to the course of legislation which i'd
been pursued on the subject of Pensions.
In 1918, Congress passed an act providing Pen.
,ions Tor persons who had served during the War
~ this act 1t was directed, that any person claim
ing the beneht OF II must make declaration in \
~ouft OIL justice, among other things that he was
70 poor as 10 stand in absolute need of the pnl,ic
which 1t appeared evident. that the
's"''o" " .he law was 10 make provision for
psupIS only by subsequent act, passed in
March, 1919, It was declared that the peosion
hould commence at the time the ree,,;roI ~.
'larstion should be made. IL was soon found tb,,
IN immense class of persons were receiving nee
ions VINO were never coniem plated by the Ieois !
azure, ana, IN consequence ,another act was pasa
81 in 1920, the effect OF which was to exclude ALI
'ut those who proved themselves to be paupe,s
~ this last act, The Secretary Of War was made the
udge TO determine whether any applicant had, or
lad not, satisfactorily, shown himself entitled r.
ne benefit OF the public bounty. and he was reoui
"a TO withhold the payment Of the pension IN Il
ertain schedule, accompanied By prescribed oath
bould have been laid before him. in 1929 a..
ber act was passed, supplemental 10 those r-o !
eding; aud according TO the construction Of a..
supplemental act, which was adopted as the eli,
i the War Department, 1t was determined -,
even in the case Of those who finally n,os,
lemseives TO be paupers and fully entitled. \ All
ensions should be suspended from the date Of ,,a
ct Of 1918, till the time foil proof was made a.
ordins 70 Gao hew ferns required. In cons ,