The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-07-31
gwemtp=S roenth Congress.
IN SENATE.
FIRST SESSION.
TnuRspAY, JuIy %. In

Gonon in relation to his system Of ,eegrap hing MIR
NJ spike Of ihg vast advantages that would be likely
to result from the adoption o. this system IN Tine ot
war and moved It's reference 10 the Commute on
| Military Affair.
Mr. HUNTINGTON suggested that il had bett,r
lie he table for the present session and be acted
| al the first regular session
| The memorial, however, was referred 10 the Com.
mittee Military Affairs.
Mr. MANGUM, from the Committee Naval
Affairs reported the bill from the House for the
| tabishment Of home squadron, without amendment.
Also, the House bill 10 provide ior the Navy pen
sions, with amendment 10 strike out the second
| section.
This bill having been taken up Committee Of tho
Mr. MANGUM explained the object of the com
mttee in striking out the second section
MIR. WOODBURY. opposed 10 the bill par
iiculary the latter section, which led to injustice and
inequality and the whole pension system wanted
modelling
Mr.. WILLIAMS was acquainted with this whole
subject. They were paying pens ons to officers
who on full pay and not only that. but had car
red back the date 10 the time the disability az recels
ed which, in some cases, was forty years ago IN adj
dton to all which they had added the widows Of all
those officers who died in service He thought 1t
would be we'll to pay the pensions to the Isl Of
January next and then 10 place the navy pension on
the same sysem with the land service. There had
been a continual struggle OF officers OF the Army TO
be placed equality with those OF the Navy
Such request ust-both ought TO lie placed on
The same footing, and he should 90 for placing the
Navy pension system where the military stood. Mr.
w. showed how, by the law of 1887, the 81 ,200O 600
Of the navy pension fund had been exhausted, and
still there call for 1893 900 moie to be met from
The Treasury Of the United States
Mr. HUNTINGTON said, with regerd TO the ls
section there could be doubt of the propriey and
necessity OF passing that. Every one in the Senate
was acquainted with the manner in which this fond
had been exhausted, and how i came TO be diverted
from It's legitimate channel The simple question
was whether they would pass the law, or virtually
peal il by Withholding the appropriation, he agreed
with the Senator from New Hampshire that Il would
be well to take up the whole subject and how fat
it might be modified repealed. That, however,
would be for after consideration bu, the faith Of the
nation stood pledged for the payment Of these pen
sions under the law, and il was no matter whether
the fund exhausted not or whatever difficulties
endorsements there might be, the pensions must
be paid. The session the whole subject might
be taken up and acted understandingly.
Mr.. MANGU M said there was astrong feeling on
the part of the committee in favor OF revising the
whole pension system, and bringing II back
heathfu state lop of the fungi which crep around
It, and restore it 10 soundness and economy. With
respect The first section there could be doubt but
that il ought TO be passed at once With regard 10
the second could be taken up early in the ensuing
session. and then they could place the whole system
on principles enduring safe, and economical
Mr.. CALHOUN thought the Senate might
well act the motion at If there ambigu
ity about the second section, amend II, and remove
that ambiguity.
Mr. MANGUM said the committee had found it
impractcable To do at the present session and tie
sides the subject was exceedingly complex and diff
cult. He aware that the navy pension fund tad
undergone species of absolute spollation and he
ready the Senator from South Ca
rona could be TO reform the abuses and, al the proper
time he would 90 with that Senator heart and hand
ia the work, but 1t that should be approached
with caution and care there might be captions in
the matter which it would be well 10 look to-
After further remarks by Messrs. CALHOUN
and II UNTINGTON,
Mr.. WOODBURY. moved to amend the second
section, by inserting after he words Hwho receives
pay, las an officer in the service in which he may
be engaged during the year, that officer shall
ceve pay at the same time, both pensoner and
an officer in service"
This amendment, after brief discussion BY Messrs
MANGUM, CLAY of Ala. LINN BUCHANAN,
PRENTISS, PRESTON, WILLIAMS, and Der
RIEN was adopted. Yeas 2l-nays ls.
Mr. MANGUM expressed the hope that the action
of the committee would be concurred in, in striking
out the second section the bill They We're not pre-.
pared in the absence of all proper investigation
on subject involving so much csmpexity and
other was, that would be undertaking 10 re-
peal whole appropriation bill
Mr.. BUCHANAN said, if this abuse were not
met by an appropriation, it would be met at ALL
The bill of 1886 made the most ample provision for
pay of officers OF the Navy 1t was higher iby more
than double than either in England or France and
under that state of thin gs possible case could be
suggested where full pay and pension should be re-
ceived, Such proceeding would be n great abuse
and when the time came, 1t ought to be corrected Ii
there was any exception to the general rule it must
be an extreme case. With every feeling IN favor of
the Navy, he should still feel himself bound to vote
for retaining the section.
Mr.. PIERCE spoke at some length against the
system at present applied 10 the Navy The pension
system of the Army and Navy in this country was
the worst on the face Of the earth by IT, real worth
was not encouraged but promotion rested on the infu
ence that could be brought TO bear BY mhes OF on
gress, II we were ever TO have good Army or Ma
Wy, we must promote merit as every truly great Gene
raj had done, and every Government ought To do
The question was then taken striking out the
III section, and negatiyed yeas 10, nays %
Mr. WOODBURY. moved TO amend the first sec
ton of the bill, By adding the following
Provided that part of this money shall be APP
piled 10 the payment OF any pensioners not entled to
receive PENSIONS under the acts of Congress as they
existed prior 10 the year 1881
MIR, WALKER moved to amend the amendment
by rdding the following
And provided Also thai tho ners;o,s .,,,Lo.;..l
under the act Of the Both June 1854 lie and The samc
are hereby continued IN force un,ll otherwise ordered
by law" 'i'''''
This was debated a, some length and then tho for
Their consideration Of the bill postponed to Tuesday
next
BANKS OF THE DISTRICT or COLUMBIA
On motion of Mr.. MERRICK, the bill TO rencw
the charters ofthe Banks of the District of Colmb,
was taken up as reported from the Committee with
amendment 80
Mr.. ALLEN desired to have the effect Of M.
amendment explained
Mr.. MERRlCk said it laid in nutsel Tho
oll, as originally reported obliged the banks 10 r.
sumo specie payments on all their own notes and Ia,
oi'ies, with some other wholesome and salut.ry re-
strctlons and regulations A proposition w,s ~,
maze by the Senator from Missouri which n,evsil.J
IN Tue Senate prohibiting the banks from paving ont