Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-30

collect former occasion making adverse report IN
similar one. ! am not prepared to vote upon it.
The further consideration Of the bill then postponed
until tomorrow.
The Senate then proceeded the consideration Of the
for the relief Of Hugh Riddle.
The report of the committee which accompanied the bill
read.
Mr.. HALE. know il is an ungracous task oppose
pension bill but if the Senate is going to sanction appca
tons Of this Sort know not where we are going to STOP
Now, ii the report Of the committee be true this has
right under the existing law to receive the amount Of his
claim and if there is evidence enough satisfy the minds
of the honorable chairman of the committee and Of the
bers Of the committee who ought certainly to have carefully
weighed the evidence then, beyond all controversy the
Commissioner Of Pensions will weigh the evidence and
come to the same result And do think that, long
have competent officers and competent laws for all such
it is very dangerous precedent for to set about overupg
and stepping of the provisions of the law If there be any
merit at all in the case there ample provision for It under
existing laws and the Commissioner Of Pensions act with
out the intervention Of Congress.
MI. JOHNSON, Of Louisiana. This bill has passed the
House Of Representatives where reported upon by
is long time since have read that report, hut remember
that the satisfactorily established by the evidence set
forth in the report
Mr. HALE. I desire TO ask the honorable Senator whe-
he If the facts stated in this report the existing laws
do not give remedy
Mr.. JOHNSON They do not because there are GER
tain rules established in the Pension Office by which the party
applying is required TO produce evidence of particular de-
testimony
handing officer; and the office will receive other In this
the commanding officer Dead II has been proved by
other testimony the satisfaction Of the committee that this
case which ought to be provided for As have sad it
time since have read the evidence, but remember
that it considered satisfactory at the time. certainly
think ought TO allow like this to be set aside up
on mere technicality by the Pension Office.
Mr. HALE apprehend it will be found that there is
such rule the Senator supposes enforced at the Pension
Office. The Commissioner Of Pensions has, as every rbu-
nal ought to have rules regulating the business of his
office but when the particular kind of evidence that is
qured in ordinary cannot be procured, the Commits
soner, apprehend very far from saying that he will not
receive other evidence. know from the business
tons that have had with that office that such rigid adhe-
renee to arbitrary rule allowed to stand in the way of
the allowance of Just claim know that the Commissioner
of Pensions always takes the best evidence that the ad
mits Of And do hope that the Senate will not long
have vigant and efficient officer interpose while
the existing law affords ample remedy in all which have
any real merit there be any peculiar difficulty in this
case hope it will be explained that may understand
clearly what it and that shall be answered by the
assertion that there technical rules the existence Of which
prevents justice from being done.
We told that the Commissioner of Pensions is vigan
but he is not than he ought to be- He allows ten
claims for pensions where he should scarcely allow one such
his desire that injustice shall be done any individual
Vgant he is he is not vgant those whom he has
TO contend with do not feel prepared to vote upon this
bill and think the Senate ought not upon without
report from the Commissioner of Pensions showing the
grounds upon which the application rejected the PEN
sion ceshowng wherein the evidence before him epera
ed against the claim. think, without information of
this kind it would be dangerous for to interfere. The
pension list has been exceedingly enlarged of late applca
tons increasing and if go this investga
ing claims that have been upon the proper Of
cers, shall have hands full for thirty years
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Louisiana. According TO the argu-
ment of the Senator from New Hampshire there no neces
sy for Congress TO upon the subject Of pensions all
for that the Commissioner Of Pensions has power dispose of
all Now, every that has before Congress
han, Loo.z
allowed. And why have they been disallowed Because
they have strict rules by which the Commissioner of PEN
sons is bound and from the operation Of which he
lieve himself in any He often recommends cases, in
which he has not the power to act voaby the consde
ton of Congress, and have doubt there communica-
ton from him in relation to this case.
Mr. HALE. should be glad to see it.
/. Mr. JOHNSON. presume there is
Mr.. HALE. Let il be read
Mr.. JOHNSON. did not know that this bill would come
up today, should have been prepared furnish all the
Information that may be desired by the Senator from New
Hampshire The report that has been made in the ought
to be sufficient satisfy every Senator it refers infinitely
all the evidence hope the Senator will withdraw his OPP
position
Mr.. HALE. II there is communication from the Com
missioner Of Pensions hope that il will be read. THE
Secretary could find such paper understand that there
IS such communication in this case
Mr. JOHNSON. did not know positively that there was
communication in this case, but stated that presumed
here was, for such communication generally accompanies
licaon made, though it be in the possession of the
Senate but at any rate, whether there any communica
ion not, there proof sufficient show that this nddu
Il is entitled 70 a pension.
Mr. KING. Do understand the Senator say there is
40 communication
Mr.. JOHNSON. said presumed there was, but have
lot looked through the papers in the case.
Mr.. KING. My friend from Louisiana then had better let
he bill lie until ascertain whether there be any such
Mr.. JOHNSON. Il appears me that there cab b. no
necessity for further investigation of the Il has
examined by two committees and reported upon very mrute
and satisfactorily. 1t very easy for gentlemen get up
Ind raise objections, but If continually procrasnat our
passed the House of Representatives and the
that House, by whom the was examined, pronounced
to be very mertorous case The applicant was not only
wounded but he made invalid for life II is very
nertorious |
Mr.. KING but admire the eagerness with which
he honosable Senator from Louisiana advocates every
where pension sought TO he obtained But sir, tink
ny friend ought not to charge other Senators either with
want Of proper iberaty towards applicants with want
n attention TO such IL he, the chairman Of the cm
nce is able tell whether any communication fm
he Pension Office has been made in the case, how can he
expect that should be in possession Of the requisite
edge the subject Now, s this may be avery merrous
am; the applicant may have been very gallant soldier,
ind may have entitled himself the bounty Of the Govern
but in all Of pensions should be governed
ertain rules, unless where specific is assigned r
dispensing with them For myself while perfectly ready
md willing pension every soldier who has served
his country faithfully in where the bounty Of the Gov
has been extended Others yet ready
fer this bill without ascertainng why this individual
his notification being Pension Office did