Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-07-01
SENATE.
RELIEF OF MRS. HARRISON.

RELIEF OF Mrs. HARRISON.
The bin for the relief of Mrs. Harrison hayne
been read third time,
Mr.. Benton asked for the yeas and nays on the
passage Of the Bill, and they we've ordered.
Mr. i" ce then made some remarks n opposi-
ton TO the bill, declaring that although his symp1-
thies in favor Of the family Of the late Gene,
Harrison, he felt himself compelled 10 Yield his
svmpaihies considerations Of a CHER char actsr
lie objected mainly TO this bill because il would
establish dangerous precedent. The original
pension system founded on the double p,inc-
pie of service aud loss merely because the sol.
d'ers who came within its provisions had foug hi
during the war, but also because they had onl,
been paid in worthless rage.
MIR. Pierce said this principle bad been gradual
" departed from until IL entiiely lost sight
OF, when widows Of revolutionary soldiers were
pensloned, Al the next session the pension laws
wosld be further extended the heirs Of ihos,
who fell in battle, and to every class Of widows.
Me. Young was opposed TO the Bill because il
provided too large an amount.
M. Sewer said he had listened TO every Senate,
IN order to discover some ground on which he could
vote for This bill. Bot he had feiled to make such
discovery. He reproached those who still made
the name Of General Harrison The cover Of all ACT.
and enormiiies. The Wing party had DESTROYED
General Harrison by placing him in position ia
which office seekers had eaten up his substance
and they now came TO tho democratic party to and
in paying for it.
Mr.. Benton also made few remarks on thu
charge that the ground OF opposition to the bill had
been changed.
Mr.. Smith, Of Indiana. said this was not cues
ton for argument, bu, for feeling. He also had
understood the Senator from Arkansas TO have
changed the ground of opposition, and as having
raised soft the party flag. Ii the Senator could
gain laurels in a conflict with Mrs. Hnrrison over
the grave Of Gen. Harrison, green be them uron
his brow. He would Join in such contest. III
envied no; the feelings which would be satisfied
with such triumphs. Ii must not, however, be in
the rover Of the Senator TO make party question
OF this in the West. General Harrison voted TO
pay the years salary 10 tho widow OF Gen. Brown
and this bill, like that included the years salary
Mr. Smith commended that if we we're to look 10
the strict letter of the Constitutions Congress would
be fettered hand and foot and unable to move hand
or foot. He would vote for the BILL and IL IL were
put TO him whether he would vote against the hin
or TO resign, he would throw his commission on
the table and return 10 his constituents,
Mr.. King made few remarks to exonerate him
self from the charge af any influence in his opnosi
ton TO the Bill, but that of the Constitution he was
bound to support.
MIR. Wright said few words for the purpose Of
discriminating between this case and that OF Mr..
Brown. General Brown came from his dis,,ic,
and u Was represented TO hun that his family was
len without Iseans to remove and 10 settle IN,
estate. lie stated that peculiar inducements we,,
held on, TO those who entered into tha military ser
vice. because OF their constant liability TO danger
u was stated to HIM that General Brown died in
consequence OF a wound received in battle and a.
Congress could not grant his widow pension. m,
donation OF yesr's pay was defenaible in eonse-
queuoe OF the peculiar circumstances of the c.s.
lie disclaimed any personal feeling in bis hostilt,
10 the measure now under consideration.
Mr. Miller referred TO the donation Of the YEAR,