Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-03-11

The amfndment proposed by his colleague Mr., RcHARD-
sos) conped the operation OF the bill to who had been
promoted from the ranks in the actual scat Of war; and did
extend TO such had received the choice of their
rades at heme before reaching The field Mr. McC thought
there sound reason for such distinction. When
chon officers al the rendezvous there might be
strong reaon Tor extending TO them the benefits OF this bill
but when private had served in the ranks till the necessities
Of the service required and led to his promotion surely
reason and equity OF the provisions of the bill strong and
selfevidenb
Mr. HARALSON said he looked upon the question as one
merely OF form The House, he believed pretty gene
rally agreed that something Of the kind proposed ought to be
done, and probably would be but early period of the
session the subject had been referred the Military Commit
tee who had reported bill having This very object in view
Mr. EVANS here nterposed to say that The gentleman was
probably that this bill had within only four days
past been referred to the Committee on Public Lands who
had reported Il now to the House. The committee bound
10 report :.
Mr.. HARALsON said he aware of that but went on
again to s that the Military Committee had reported bill for
this object which had with their assent been referred to the
COMMITTEE OF the Whole the of the Union. The
mee hadnot thought themselves inbe they consderedit
possible tt they might have erred and they afraid
TO have tfer work thoroughly examined. The gentleman
from MARYLAND (Mr. EyASs) said that the bill had been
again repdted from the Committee on Public Lands. Well
what harr could arise from referring it to the COMMITTEES of
the hols on the state Of the Union Mr. H. did insist
that thouth military BILL it should be sent to the Commit
tee Military Affairs because that committee had already
had the subject before hem but he thought there wisdom
in referring to the Committee of the Whole the Of
the Union where its provisions undergo thorough
aminaton The gentleman from Illinois (Mr RIcHARDsoS)
had moved important amendment and other gentle
man. he lsieved had moved another very possibly might
found that the bill could be amended with advantage in other
particulars loud gentleman indulge the belief THAT il
now sent Committee of the Whole the state Of the
Union, would be suffered lie neglected during the whole
of the residue Of this ssssion
[Severa voices. 'sYes-we do"
Mr.. H. could not entertain such thought He thought
it would be much better let the bill be examined than to
take it from the Committee Public Lands and once pass
it. Its details not known; the bill had not been
printed; and its provisions had not been well considered.
What harm could arise rm its reference Perhaps there
might be points in thu bill from the Commit
tee Public Lands better than in that from the Military Com
mittee and rice TheH House had it before them
had moi been printed He hoped the bill would be sent
to the Committee Of the Whole the of the Union
Mr.. EVANS here accepted modification the amend
ment proposed by Mr.sisIcH RDsoS.
Mr.. POLLOCK said thai he fully concurrea in the merits
Of the principle which th bill proceeded. There
tainy propety that when soldier had been promoted for
meiit he should be depvN of his claim 10 bounty land
Surely such promotion equivalent in view of the spirit
and end of the law honorable discharge He believed
the construction put upo the law by the Department
wholly erroneous and in direct violation of the spirit not
the letter ofthe Ceanly these ought have
been excluded from the benefits Of the law could he
ceve what grounds tip construction could have proceeded
But the decision had fen made and the purpose of the
present bill to correct strange Interpretation. No
doubt the bill should be bcted but the question whe
ther it should be passed now without half the members
OF the House knowing what its provisions wee for the bill
had not been printed. involved large amount Of land,
which equivalent intellect TO involving large of
money, because the had his option take either land
or scrip Mr. p was favor of referring the bill 10 the
Committee Of the Who'll the state Of the Union FIRST be-
the House sizing habit Of passing bills has
hy, without due reflection, and without reference 10 COM
mittees. He insisted bat bill ought be passed
In the second place because, while he favor OF
tending every proper ivlese who had perd their
lives tho service Of tie country, and while he gave little
the fullest creditor the almost romantic yaor they had
Displayed and would especial manner with glory
the devoted courage md eminent services Of the volunteers
yet he could not forget that there others equally mer
orious who had not received single from the graft
tude Of their country
In the last war with Great Britain one of the greatest
Powers OF the EARTH had had volunteers who left all the
comforts OF homo, and met in the bloody field foeman not
unworthy Of their Steel and yet there not line the
10 reward their patriotic devotion Bounty had
been given those who enlisted during the war;
for five years. but their officers had not yet received the first
dollar.
He desied them that this bill should go The Committee
Of the While the of the Union for the purpose Of an
ancndme, which be intended TO offer, extending the proy
sions OF thu act TO these meritorous men.
But theR another class OF 10 whom the provisions
Of the sugh T. be extended-o those brave spirits who
in the DARKEST hour of our countys peril left all that
dear and led their lives and their health in our Western
wars, fighting against foe savage than the MeNcans,
under Gems. Wayne ~. Clair, and Himer. Where was
proNslon on tne statute DOCK lot
dangers gahercd thick and fast around hen sacrificed their
lives and tomorthe every thing IN the defence OF their
countrys tights Many of those gentlemen who day after
day ready hundreds OF thousands for those men
who had ene Mexico forgot those who in other days bad
performed these bloody srvccs for their country Let equal
justice be lone all while those who had been engaged IN
the peseB provided o let not those OF former days
be forgotten Let them 60 back and do justice 10 the past
Mr. EVANS, Of Mary was understood to say that the
very class Of which the gentleman referred pro-
vdcd in another BILL which either reported which
a committee had by resolution been instructed to report
Mr.. POLLOCK said he knew well that during the very
last the steps had been taken towards making
provisions for these PERSONS but nothing could be accomplish
ell. The reached To avoid such re-
suit again his desire He had prepared for this purpose,
and wouk offer il this bill referred TO the Committee
Of the Woe the Of the Union, amendment cover
ing these cases Let justice be done all He hoped that
those VIII were willing do justice brave soldiers m
Mexico would be willing justice also to those who in
other % defended their country and covered themselves with
honor ant glory.
Mr. WICK sad he had go, the floor for the purpose Of
wasting and words show how glad he would be TO do
ample justice al those who had pened their lives in the
service Of their country but because he thought he could
plain points which not very generally UNDER
stood d so happened that the resolution under the nsrac
Of which this bill bad been reported originated with him
and il a happened that he had drawn the bill under consi
deraon Ind placed in the possession Of member Of the
committed
Mr.. EVANS begged the gcneman's pardon. A laugh
He had reported the @ and be had certainly no; received
from the gentleman.
Mr.. WICK said he alluded the bill reported Ivy the Com
mec on Military Affairs, and which amply sufficient IN
its details 10 tho emergencies for which il was intended
h.l ia fha