The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-07-17

force. Members did not know enough ofthe laws on
this subject 20 act on the subject at this time.
MIR. @. JOHNSON replied with great warmth
He did not pretend to know much about the laws but
he thought the gentleman from Virginia knew little
more
Mr.. WISE replied that he meant no disrespect to
the gentleman from North Carolina. He referred not
10 him, but TO hinself, and all the members of the
House, wanting information on the subject. He
commented very eoquently the effects of confusion
now existing in the Navy Pension Laws, in conse-
quence of previous hasty legislation. The widow Of
the immortal Lawrence, who died in battle for his
country, with the words Don't give up the ship" on
his dying lips now received pension OF only six hum
dred dollars per annum while the widow of another
officer who died in his bed received 100 per annum
This was consequences OF such hasty and confused
legislation as they now urged 10.
Mr. ARNOLD moved that the committee rise, to
give time for consultation, but withdrew his motion on
some remarks from Mr.. WISE.
Mr.. BURNELL urged that the House were per-
fecty preparation action on the bill reported by the
committee, which was simple appropriation.
! he question was then taken on the amendment,
and II was lost. ....
Mr.. r. w. WILLIAMS, of Connecticut, moved
an amendment, continuing the payment of pensions
to the widows and children of persons dying in the
naval service, for five years. He stated that this
amendment was copied from section introduced by
the Senate in February, l84l. 1t would serve to
benefit most mertorious class and would meet some
of those particularly referred to by the gentle
man from Virginia. @sas.. s..a
Mr.. MCKAY objected It's effect would be to sus-
pend the repeal Of the law of 1887 for five years.
Mr.. WILLIAMS said it referred only to cases and
claims already established.
The amendment was lost + .....
On motion of Mr. WISE, the bill was then laid
aside to be reported and the "bll making appropra-
ons for the purchase of naval ordnance and ordnance
stores and other purposes" (House-bill No. 81 81
Mr.. WISE read from the report of the Secretary of
the Navy passages relating to this subject and ex-
planned the objects and the necessity Of the aPpro-
Mr.. MCKAY asked for the reading of the rule of
the House suspending the action of the Committees
of the House all subjects not embraced in the Pre-
sdent's Message. II was read. ~
MIR. WISE showed that this subject was within the
rules. The Message referred 10 the report Of the Sc
cretary of the Navy, which presented this subject.
K Mr.. MCKAY insisted that this subject was not
mentioned in the Message, and that the COMMITTEES
had no right to report omit.
Mr.. WISE asked if the report Of the Secretary Of
the Navy was not as much part of the Presidents
Message, within the meaning of the rule, any par
agraph in that Message. General responses, of
" Yes, yes."D l Iv,a..1s,a 4
the first section By reducing the appropriation from
Mr. PROFFIT and Mr.. TRIPLETT replied
with much eloquence and energy -denouncing the
low vile party spirit which could manifest itself by
such course-seeking TO cripple the countrys de-
of its armament and efficiency, when that party were
seeking to plunge us into war. 81 l@a
M. WARD repelled the charges Of the gentleman
from Indiana, made against the aohole Democratic
party He for one willing to vote the entire APP
preparation. He very warmly and ably urged the
importance of immediate and thorough preparation of
the Navy for dangerous contingencies gtH s.ls
\ Mr. NESBITT supported the largest appropria-
ton, Southern man He thought that his section
of the country stood in peculiar need of the protection
of an efficient and we'll armed Navy. He would be
willing to vote, at this session, millions to
increase the efficiency of the Navy, and to build and
| equip war-steamers. ..s. ...
| Mr. MCKAY replied to the different speakers, par
| ticulary to the gentleman from Indiana. He spoke
| at some length ,.
Mr. FILLMORE inquired of the Chairman of the
! Naval Committee whether the estimates for powder,
&c. were not included in those Of the War Depart
ment "... i -. H..
| Mr. WISE thought not. He replied to the gentle.
man from North Carolina as to the proper amount of
appropriations at this time 5.... ..r.... ANIL
! Mr.. FILLMORE observed that in former years
the appropriations fer the Naval Ordnance had been
/ included in those for the War Department. .M -u
I On motion of Mr.. WISE, the Committee then rose
and reported both the Navy bills the first with, and
the second without amendment. -. >...... 4,
! Mr.. L. w. WILLIAMS, of Connecticut, renew
| ed in the House the amendment he had offered in
Committee, suspendng the repeal of the act Of
/ Mr.. J. w. WILLIAMS, of Maryland, moved to
postpone the subject to this day week.
! Mr.. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS expressed him.
self with great force and warmth against the amend
ment passed in committee, and urged the noncon-
currence of the House. He had been prevented, by
his occupancy of the Chair from presenting his views
in the Committee of the Whole, he had earnestly
desired, and took the first occasion expose the
injustice and cruelty of the amendment -deprivng,
as it would, the widows and orphans of many OF
our naval heroes Of their means of subsistence. He
gave history of legislation on this subject The
act of 1887 was certainly loose in its provisions, and
was capable of misapplication; but revision and
amendment was the remedy against the undeservng,
and not repeal which would cruelty deprive SO many
deserving recipients of its benefits. The act Of 1887
had it is true, been repealed by both Houses of the
last Congress- hut that good Providence which seem
ed to have been exerted to protect these widows and
orphans had prevented the repeal from becoming a
law, by the delay of the bill in tho Senate, which
caused it TO be sent to the President late that the
fourth of March arrived before could receive his
signature. Mr. ADAMS spoke for some time with great
power and effect. %
Mr.. WILLIAMS briefly urged his amendment to
the amendment, securing the rights of all those
whose claims were already established for five years.
Many of the evils of hasty repeal would thus be pre-
vented and time would be given for mature revision
of the whole system by the Naval Committee.
4 Mr.. TILLINGHAST and Mr. WISE joined in
opposing the of the House in the original
amendment.
The House refused to postpone the subject. Mr..
| Williams amendment was then passed-64 to 63.
| The amended amendment was then rejected.
! Yeas GA, nays &c.
Mr.. CAVE JOHNsoN's amendment limiting the
amount to be received from pensions, was then
adopted.
| The bill was then ordered to be engrossed for a
third reading. The third reading was then demanded
to take place at this time. The bill was read.
Mr. MCKAY moved to recommit the bill with in
! structions to repeal. .
The previous question was moved by Mr.. WISE,
aud ordered by the House. ill., .r~.. ......... .g
The motion to recommit was thus cut off, and THE
BILL WAS THEN PASSED, 1ittout dipision.
/ The House then adjourned at half-past four
1 O'Clock.
! .. IN SENATE, g.; . ... D..
| p. WEDNESDAY, July H. lS4l.
j Mr. KERR rnnxad that the resolution, ofEnrnd hp