The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-16


Had he been discharged. and was he arrested by death
IN lha period when he moving from the seat of war
to his home, and Tor the purpose of returning there Not
al all The answer amounts 10 but ihi. that at the
most, Col Dix, after settling his accounts wonld have
paid visit to his family, 10 his wife, aud TO his chill
dren. Well sir, knowing the merits Of that officer
knowing the manner IN which he conducted him
who IN every post discharged his duty---I am ready
in my heart TO go as far as any one and should feel
1t my duty to vote pension to his widow were to
sult my feelings alone should not be regret to
see this made general rule, that the widow of every
meriionous oticer-yes sir, and OF every meritorious
receive support from the United States If ,h is n
sight which eXcites nay commseratlon, it is TO sci he
widow or orphan OF an officer or OF soldier suffering
from year to year IN penury, whose husband or whose
father has fallen in the defence of his country. Sir,
appealing to my feelings only, | would wish that
every eve one OF them should receive something from
ery. II we were to take this ground, this case is
one which appeals to us strongly. stronger per-
haPs. could not be presented to US. Now is the time
Tor the Senate to decide whether will establish this
precedent Now is the time to settle the bounds to
which the pensions shall be extended. If the Senate
shall give the widow of this officer pension, will
!ablsh precedent in the pension laws OF the country.
Let 1t be done now, if the Senate decide but here
after, whenever similar there shall be applca-
tons from the widows and orphans OF officers under
the sufierngs and pnchings OF want and poverty let
them not be turned away. And when the poor and the
humble the widow orphan of the soldier, shall
before us, let us bear in mind the precedent set.
and vote then for the alienation OF their wants as
Literally as we now vote this pension to Mrs, Dix.
can hardly take my seat without saying that almost
hope this bill will pass notwithstanding that shall feel
bound to vote against IT, 50 strong my feelings for it,
of great magnitude that have ventured open my lips
upon the subject This principle is one for us 10
reflect npon and to bear in mind We ought not to
depart from 1t, when case comes UP from any other
person similarly situated. If we pass this now.
should resolve that we will hereafter do equal justice
when parallel case comes up, and respond mpartiay
Mr.. HALE. thought sir. when this bill was called
up, that should go for it; but am satisfied that the bill
med that there is law for it but it is sought to be
passed a special If we going 10 make
granity we had better be CAREFUL sir to see that we are
discriminating in regard 10 those who going to
ceive the gratuty understand that Col Dix left chill
dren as well as widow, and would very much prefer.
sir that this bill should be for the benefit of the children
will move that this bill be laid aside for the present, that
may find out whether had not better say something.
do not know anything and is with great regret and re-
Mr.. BUTLER You had better not say it.
MIR; HALE. Well, will not say it, then. was trying
to find whether | had not better say something as
rea son why we should proceed to the consideration of
private claims. move, sir that may have time to
consider the matter tina, the further consideration of the
Mr.. BENTON A postponement OF the bill, and taking
the yeas and nays upon it. is equivalent to taking the
sense OF the Senate upon its final passage postpone
merits Of The bill : it becomes the final question.
MI HALF Inc senator does not Understand me,
My motion 10 postpone the consideration of the bill
and upon that asked the sense OF the Senate
MIR. BENTON have but few words to say. This
is no new bill with me. | have been in favor of the
principle of this bill in favor of the application of
that principle both to widows of naval officers and of
land officers and have often expressed myself TO that
effect and have called upon the Senate great many
times to give me reason why the widow of naval
Officer shall receive pens ion during Efeor that is the
effect OF our law-and the widow of land officer
shall receive nothing: In the beginning, there
some reason for the difference there naval pen
widows OF naval officers received their pensions but we
know that that fund exhausted many years ago, and
that the widows OF the naval officers put upon the
treasury for five years first and at the end of that time
five years more and then five years matter of
course do not know as there have been three terms
of five years. but whether there have not will come
TO IT, aud IT will be Just well to make il law to
grant the renewal a matter OF course.
Now sir, come back to the point | say life is life,
and that the land officer who dies Is just much ent
tied to pension as the naval officer. admit there was
time when you had naval fund out of which they
got the pension; but for dozen years there has been
no such fund.- and the wdaws of naval officers get pen
sion out OF the treasury Thus happens sir, that if
the youngest officer Of the navy is married to-day and
widow esee While the Oldest na Officers
who has worn out his whole life in the service OF his
country, leaving widow and children, and perhaps
any distinction: will vote in the detail. and vote in the
gross, for placing the widows of land officers foot
ing with the widows OF naval officers.
Mr. METCALFE However worthy the great ques-
ton may be of our serious and sober consideration,
whether should not pass a general law embracing
every similar 10 hishowever worthy such ques
ton that may b for sober and serious considera
on il does TO me that this partial method of egs
alton is exceedingly exceponabe and ought to be 80 to
the people of this country. What is the difference, sir
between the widow of this distinguished and
doubt excellent and gallant officer, and the widow
of Colonel - If | rightly understand, sir, he
recently died of the cholera at New Orleans; he
was in the service of the country; and how many
individuals, soldiers who have died in like manner,
would press forward here and insist upon law to en-
brace their also If, them il should be the opinion
of this Senate, Of this Congress- that we cannot with
why should attempt 10 pass law embracing indivd-
ual cases Here is distinguished and gallant ofhcer
who died recently, and all sympahize, every heart
sympathzes with the widow-wth the family.
For my part, do not know, however, whether
this ought to be given entirely and exclusively TO
the widow or in part TO the children if should think
proper to grant it. But, Mr. President. l have come to
the conclusion that the greatest danger to this republic is
to result from its extravaganza in its pensions. Year
gance, fogefu that every appropriation that make,
what way, must increase the taxes upon this
people in way other. ! do think that we
going in this way, taking up every individual
because it exces sympathes without much regard
principle; and at last shall overstride all the pow
ers that intended to be conferred upon by the
constitution OF our country, and bring heavy tax
upon the people by what shall have paid pensions,
to be replaced in some shape form If 60 we
be in state of absolute starvation TO support the residue
What else result from such state of things as this
1t results in Europe from the corporations OF the past
from the which avorism has been. EXTENDED
to particular families, and from the advantages whch
have been given to capital over labor in thousand