The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-07-31
gmsntpzSenemth GoMaress.
FIRST SESSION.
I'm SENATE.
THuaspAY, July %, is4i


to result from the adoption Of this system in time Of
Wat; and moved its reference to the COMMITTEE on
Mr. h66HSfTiIiNGToN suggested tina, !, had better
ne On for the present session. and be acted on
at the hrst regular session.
The memorial, however, was referred to the Com
mittee on Military Affairs.
Mr.. MANGUM, from the Committee on Naval
Affairs, reported the bill from the House for the es
tabishment Of a home squadron, without amendment.
Also, the House bill TO provide for the Navy PEN
sons, with an amendment TO strike out the second
section.
This bill having been taken up in COMMITTEES Of the
4 Mr.. MANGUM explained the object of the COM
mttee in striking out the second section.
Mr.. WOODBURY. was opposed to the bill par
ticularly the latter section which led to injustice and
inequality and the whole pension system wanted re-
Mr.. WILLIAMS was acquainted with this whole
subject. They were now paying pensions TO officers
who are on full pays and not only that but had
red back the date to the time the disability recev
ed which, in some cases. forty years ago in adj
dtion to all which, they had added the widows Of all
those officers who died in service. He thought it
would be as well to pay the pensions to the LIST Of
the same system with the land service There had
been continual struggle Of officers of the Army to
be placed on an equality with those Of the Navy.
Such request was just both ought to lie placed on
the same footing and ne should 60 for placing the
IL
W. showed how, by the law of 1887, the 81 100000
of the navy pension fund had been exhausted, and
still there was call for ssl39 100 mole, to be met from
the Treasury Of the United States.
Mr. HUNTINGTON said with regerd to the let
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 fund
had been exhausted, and how il came to be diverted
from its legitimate channel The simple question
was whether they would pass the law, virtually
peal by withholding the appropriation He agreed
with the Senator from New Hampshire that it would
be well to take up the whole subject and how far
would be for after consideration but 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
OF endorsements there might be- the pensions must
be paid The next session the whole subject might
be taken up and acted on understandingy.
Mr.. MANGUM said there was strong feeling on
the part Of the committee in favor Of revising the
whole pension system, and bringing it back to a
healthfn state lop OFF the fungi which srept around
it, and restore it TO soundness and economy. With
respect the first section there could be doubt but
that it ought to be passed at once. With regard to
the second it 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 as
well act on the motion at If there ambigu-
ity about the second section, amend it, and remove
M. MANGUM said the committee had found it
impraccable do at the present session, and be-
sides, the subject was exceedingly complex and diff
cult He was aware that the navy pension fund had
undergone species of absolute spoliation; and he
was as ready the Senator from South Ca
rona could be TO reform the abuses and the proper
time, he would 60 with that Senator heart and hand
in the work but it that should be approached
with caution and care; there might be exceptions in
the matter which it would be well to look to.
After further remarks by Messrs. CALHOUN
and HUNTINGTON l".E
Mr., WOODBURY. moved to amend the second
section, by inserting after the words "who receives
pay,"'as an officer in the service in which he may
be engaged during the year, that officer shall
an officer in service"
This amendment, after brief discussion by Messrs.
MANGUM, CLAY of Ala LINN, BUCHANAN,
RIEN, was adopted. Yeas 2I-nays 10. LIZ
Mr.. MANGUM expressed the hope that the action
of the committee would be concurred in in striking
out the second section ofthe BILL They pre-
pared in the absence Of all proper investigation to act
subject involving SO much completely and an
other was, that it would be undertaking to re-
peal whole appropriation bill. ~
Mr.. BUCHANAN said, if this abuse were not
met BY an appropriation j never would be met at all
pay of officers Of the Navy. II was higher lby
than double than either in England or France, and,
under that state Of thI gs possible could be
suggested where full pay and pension should be re-
and when the time came it ought to be corrected. If
there any exception to the general rule, it must
be an extreme With every feeling in favor Of
the Navy, he should still feel himself bound to
for retaining the section.
Mr.. PIERCE spoke at some length against the
system at present applied to the Navy. The pension
system of the Army and Navy in this country was
the worst the face of the earth, by IT, real worth
not encouraged but promotion rested on the nfu-
ence that could be brought 70 bear by members Of Con-
gress. If we were ever 70 have good Army or Ma
w, must promote merit every truly great Gene
raj had DONE and every wise Government ought TO do
The question YVES then taken on striking out the
ID section, and negatiyed; yeas 49, nays 49,
Mr. WOODBURY. moved to amend the first Sec
ton Of the bill, by adding the following: ......
Provided that no part Of this money shall be ap-
piled TO the payment Of any pensioners not entitled 10
receive pensions under the acts Of Congress- as they
existed prior to the year 1881"
MI. WALKER moved to amend the amendment
by rdding the following: ,.
"And provided also, that the pensions authorized
under the of the Both June 1884 be md the same
hereby continued in force, until otherwise ordered
by law" n& s.&. a
This was debated at some length, and then the fur
Their consideration of the bill postponed to Tuesday
next. .7I@ .E
BANKS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
On motion of Mr.. MERRICK, the bill to renew
the charters ofthe Banks Of the District of Columbia
was taken up as reported fiom the Committee with
an amendment.
Mr.. ALLEN desired to have the effect of the
amendment explained. N .'"".
Mr.. MERRICK said it laid in nutscll. The
BILL as originally reported obliged the banks to re-.
sumo specie payments on all their notes and La
bites, with some other wholesome and salutary re-
strictions and regulations. A proposition was then
made by the Senator from Missouri, which prevailed
in the Senate, prohibiting the banks from paying out
ing banks. This excluded the institutions Of The
District from dealing in the paper of the ccumjacent
States with which the people transacted great guam
ty OF business, and thereby rendered the BILL null
iiy for all practical purposes The effect of the bill
would be to give good currency by excluding from
circulation much Of the worthless trash which did
not bear lila xnIue lie face liz u1a.la ...a