The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-12-31

supposed that they had examined it. He had been
told by distinguished officer this morning that the
amendment was proper But what was the act Of 37l
w as that a deliberate consideration Of the House
II he mstook not il sneaked through at the last
day Of the session. He had looked for the yeas and
nays that vote but had not been able TO find them
The gentleman from Massachusetts, furthermore said
yesterday, that the second section Of the bill was in
consistent with the first That the first section order
ed the Secretary TO pay certain Of money and
me second section repeats the law under which the
payment was required
why does not the honorable gentleman CONTINUED
Mr. 50 see that there were several laws requiring
the payment Of this money--the law Of l6OO-and this
money is needed for previous laws SO the gentle
mans opposition on that is obyated The gen
ileman also said that had msstated the act Of 81
What did | say2 That throughout the pension laws.
there general plan That those should re-
ceye pensions who had suffered IN the cause Of the
country; and also that the second section referred to
the time in which persons disabled in the navy should
receive their pensions. lie found in the National In
elligencer, this morning, report Of his remarks,
which stated precisely what he did say This report
of his remarks would show that he right and the
honorable member wrong 1t common prac-
tee Che remaiked) to take up false issues He hoped
the day would not be spent in this measure, What is
the question before us 2 Whether the act of 81 is
right or wrongl Whether we called on To repeal
il or not He would give his opinion in a few words
In 1900 the Navy in its infancy
The act of 1900 was to encourage the Nayy-to in
duce TO enter into it, and necessary
that time The object of Congress was to hold out
inducements to gentlemen enter into it. He showed
that il was for the support of the Navy. What is the
Navy Pension Fund The proceeds of prizes were
laid aside to be given to seamen, marines, &c. who
had been disabled in the service of the country
What is the act Of '377 Subsequently to the act of
800 many acts passed That the pension fund
should go those who had suffered in the service of
their country, the feature of all the prior
~. If any officer, seamen, or marine died. leaving
widow, children, they should receive halfpay from
the time Of their death This was different act NOT
that those who had been disabled fought calamity
but those who died-they might have been drunkards
or cowards,-butf they died, their children were en-
titled to this Navy pension fund 1t was not carrying
out the act of 1900. twas violation of the pledged
faith of the country-and the Congress that passed
that act acted in violation Of their faith This act did
rank injustice to the gallant soldier and this is the
about which you have heard such lamentations be-
fore this House.
In six months of the very first year fits passage it
had taken from the Navy fund upward of ss329,00
Can any wonder that the fund is gone As to
ho purchase and sale of stocks, which the gentle
man had commented with so much severity what bet
ter could have been done (asked Mr.. s. We had
money than we wanted at that time, the stocks
of the States were par. If we had not purchased
there would have been hue and cry about dscredt
ing the States. He admitted that money had
been lost, but the Secretary body else was to
blame.
The effect of his bill would be to cast off this
drain from the fund, which, for the last four years,
had amounted to $3.50 900 annually The true rule
on this subject laid down in the law of 1900 that
those who have suffered in the country should he
Enumerated for it. The act of 1900 made distinction
between the brave and cowardy--the act of ~ had
destroyed it.
He noted another objection. That the widows had
made their calculations receiving this fund-that
on this, the children had been sent to school, sc.
But this argument that they should continue
to receive the 4s 900, which they had received
ally for four years He had now finished what he in
tended to say If he not mistaken Mr.. Adams,
yesterday, used the word dishonorabe in connection
House but frient had suggested that it applied
to him, ON. 81
Mr. ADAMS said he had said no such thing-hat
the gentleman himself did understand it thus, but
it was on the whisper Of friend
MI SHEPARD very far from wishing to do
injustice to the gentleman. The honorable gentle
man had done him injustice-all he would say was,
that he wished that the honorable gentleman would be
more charitable That man in this House could
do more GOOD than could Mr. Adams if in case Of
excitement he would seize the opportunity Of coming
up as medator-as link between Washington and
the present generation.
Mr. THOMAS wished to give little information
on this subject He had a letter in his hand from
the Navy Department, saying that the Cincinnati
Stock had been sold, Che inquired of how they
had sold) The Secretary did not say whether at par
or not
Mr.. ANDERSON had been informed that they
sold for $62 per 800 of stock.
Mr.. THOMPSON, of South Carolina spoke at
some length, in opposition to the act of 81. It's ap
preparations were unjust He opposed to the re-
consideration of the bill
Mr.. ANDERSON inquired whether the bill the
gentleman from Massachusetts, designed 10 offer, was
the bill approved by the Committee
Mr.. REED answered that it was, with the excep.
ton of the last section,
Mr.. ANDERSON said that if the act of'31 was re-
pcaed it would revive the act of "a, end that was
of the same nature. lie hoped that the House would
take the first opportunity to look into this bill, which
has been reported by the Committee on Naval Affairs.
He hoped the amendment would not be reconsldercd'
Mr. MONROE was decidedly in favor of the re-
neal Of the law Of 81 vet he had voted against the
amendment of the gentleman from North Carolina,
because il, was not proper nor sound legislation to amend
an appropriation bill by repeating law Of much mo