The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-03-13
Washington. March Cd, 1893.

the DiDOrcG BlH, alias tho fH@cPeHde"t 1'o"'u'
Bill of the House. As it was not read, am nor
able to state its particular provisions, or IN "h"'
respects it differs from the Senate Bill r.
Tho Neutrality Bill as reported in new draft
rSyas then taken up the special order OF inc Jay
This hill as il now stands merely conlers upon the
executive officers right TO seizo al shIPs Vehicles
arms or other materials, prepared or COLLECTED win
an intent TO violate the sixth section OF inc Neu-
traIitv Act of 1873 by undertaking, setting ON foot
provTdng and preparing the means Tor any military
oxpedton to be carried on against or within TIC
territory of any foreign state with whom the United
states are at peace. Such is the purport Of the two
,frst sections of this bill Tho remaining sections
are principally occupied in pointing out the legal
proceedings to be had subsequent to the seizure
Some discussion took place upon the bill, and
several amendments were proposed and rejected
Finally the previous question was demanded, and
The demand being seconded by the House, the pend
ing amendments were cut OIL and the main ques-
lion on the bill as reported by the committee, was
out and carried in the affirmative-Ayes l30-
Noes As.
Whereupon the House ad jouned.
Grennell of Massachusetts and Grantland OF Geor
ga are appointed on the duel committee, in the
places of Briggs and Harrison, who were excused
from serving.
In the Senate, there was nothing but a speech
from Strange of North Carolina, upon the Sub
Treasury Bill
In the House, the rules were dispensed with by
which the Two last days of the week devoted to
private business, and the Pension Appropriation
Bill came up as the order of the day. The debate
upon the appointment and compensation Of pension
agents was continued by Curtis, Edwards, and
Cambreleng of New York and Chambers Of Ky.
The following facts clearly appeared in the coulse
OF the debate, viz: that formerly the United States
Bank discharged the duty of paying out and dis
bursting the pensions part Of the services winch,
by its charter it was bound TO render to the govern
ment, without any compensation whatever. When
the custody and disbursement Of the public moneys
was wresled from the United States Bank, this pen
sion agency duty likewise taken from it, and
divers favorites Of the government, such rs John
X. Simpson of Boston, Isaac Hill Of Concord, aud
other party politicians of the stamp, were APP
pointed Pension Agents. To have given to these
persons direct and acknowledged compensation,
for performing duty which had been performed
gratis by the United States Bank, would have looked
little too gross; and therefore the act by which
the payment of pensions was taken from that instl-
tuition and conferred upon these agents, expressly
directed in order that the government mig ut have
the appearance OF not losing any thing by the change,
that the neacty appointed pension agents should
aeCeiUe compensation arhateUcr. This law was
made for show merely; it never was intended for
Indeed it was totally hostile to all those prin-
cplcs Of sharing GU! the SpOlts among the vctors,
characteristic ofthe last and present administrations
Having been enacted to mslead the people and to
keep them quiet an expedient was very hit
upon for evading its application altogether; and for
converting the office of pension agent into one of
the most lucrative stations under the government;
and that too Notwithstanding the existence of the
Jaw positively prohibiting those agents from receiv
ing any compensation whatever! That expedient
this. The money to be discussed by the agents,
advanced to them six months before hand, and
they were informed that in consideration oil the adj
vantage to be derived from the Use of this money,
they would receive do other salary--Nor was any
other needed, since the use Of this money was
worth in several of the pension agencies from ten
to twenty thousand dollars per annum.
1t further appcarsd that at this moment there are
on hand large balances IN possession Of the pension
agents, amounting to upwards Of Il million and
half of dollars; being near half the total annual ex
pendiure for pensions; and that by keeping separate
accounts under each of the separate pension acts,
tbo'agens, notwithstanding they had large sums on
hand under some Of these acts, would make them
selves creditors under others, and then call upon
the government to reinforce by new acquisitions on
the Treasury these accounts upon which they were
creditors, Notwithstanding the large sums in their
hands upon the other accounts, which amounted in
fact to a standing deposit with them This abuse
rendered clear, and appeared to be so flag
rant, that even Cambreeng promised to bring in a
BILL for the repayment INTO the treasury OF these
outstanding balances.
In the Senate, Strange continued and finished his
speech in favor Of the Sub Treasury Bill
Washington, Monday, March 5.
In the Senate; Mr. Clay, of Ky, presented a me-
mortal from Mr. G.. Watson, Of New York praying
Congress to establish with capitol of 90 100000
a Great National Internal Improvement Loan Com
pany.
Mr. Clay also presented memorial from the ci
zens of Hampshire County, Va, Erayng against
The oncrous burdens of the Post Office Department
requiring specie for postage.
The Pension Appropriations Bill came from tho
Pensions.
MIR Wright, during the morning, presented me-
moral from New York, praying Congress to make
enumeration for the loss Of the steamboat Caroline
The petition came from the owner, Mr. Wells
hlr Webster presented resolution directing the
secretaries OF War and the Navy TO communicate |
great variety of information in regard to the Pension
Agents and the manner of paying Pensions, both
by the Government to the Agents and by the Agents
to the Pensioners.
Mr. Buchanan, from the Committee of Foreign
Relations, reported the Neutrality Bill, from the
House, with certain amendments, one OF which
limits the operation of the Bill to two years The
amendments, after brief explanation from Mr. Blu /
chanan, were all concurred in, and the bill passed
to be engrossod as amended, without debate.
In the House, Mr. Menifee, of Ky, offered u re-
solution calling for information jim relation to the
Schiossor outrage.
MIR Morgan of Virginia, submitted an amendment
10 the Constitution of the United States, that would
duel, fighting in duel or aiding and assisting in
duel, &c, an offence against the law of the land
which would render the offender ineligible to any
p{f.r nf or iiular ha