The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-13

lowing:
Be Il further enacted. That all pensions which
have been granted, which shall be granted 10 the
| widow Of any officer, commissioned officer,
musician or private, in consequence of the death
Of the husband of such widow, while in the military
service OF the United States, in consequence of
the death OF the husband ofany such widow In con.
sequence OF wounds received or disease contracted
while in the military service Of the United States,
shall be for and during the natural life of the widow
| TO whom granted, to commence on the day OF the
| death of the husband
Be itfu1ther enacted, That the widow of every Of
j hcer, commissioned officer musician, and pri-
vate whose husband has heretofore or shall hereafter
die while in the military service ofthe United States,
shall be entitled to pension OF hall the monthly pay
which her husband was entitled TO at the time Of
his death, for and during her natural he' from the
| date Of the death of her husband
| Mr.. JONES said that he was not in favor Of the
| bill becoming law.
| Mr.. KAUFMAN rose to a question of orders the
bill before the House was for special purpose and
| the gentleman wished TO makei it general.
The SPEAKER decided that the amendment was
not in order.
MIR. JONES desired to know why it was not. He
sought only to extend benefits to other persons and
place them in a similar condition to that of Mrs.
Worth
The SPEAKER replied that the bill was for the
| relief Of an individual, and the gentleman wanted
to alter it into general law. An amendment with
| that view not in order
MIR. JONES appealed from the decision; and on
| the question being taken,
| Mr.. JONES said that the bill proposed an act of
special legislation, and to confer special ben
Eft in direct violation of the general law of this
Government the subject of pensions.
| Mr. McCLERNAND wished to understand whe
Their it competent to proceed with debate on this
| question, or to move an amendment TO the BILL The
gentleman from Mississippi MIR BaowS) rose and
moved that the general consent OF the House be
given to refer the Senate bills and for other pur
pose. The Chair distinctly put the question. and
consent was given to refer them twas a special
license and it would transcend the special license to
amend the bill or proceed with the debate.
The SPEAKER said that the gentleman was cor
rect in his statement. If debate arises the bill
must take its place the Speakers table, and go
over.
| Mr. JONES appealed from the decision of the
Chair and on the question being taken,
The SPEAKER was sustained.
| The House then went into Committee OF the
| Whole on the private calendar. Having debated
one bill, without coming to a conclusion,
| Mr.. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, moved that it be re
ported to the House, and, on his motion, the COM
mittee rose, when he moved that when the House
adjourn, it adjourn to Monday next.
The question taken, and decided in the afiir-
NATIVE.
Mr. CROWELL moved that the House again go
into committee on the private calendar.
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, inquired what bu-
sness was in order?
The SPEAKER replied, to call the committees for
Mr.. JOHNSON said it ought to be done,
Mr.. CROWELL withdrew his motion for the gen
tleman from South Carolina to make report.
THE eALPHIs CLAIM.
Mr.. BURT said that he was instructed by the
select committee appointed to investigate the rela
ton and conduct Of George w Crawford, Secretary
of War, towards the Galphin claim, to report ::
'sThat the committee ofopinion that the resolu
ton of the House restricts their inquiry to the rea
ton and conduct of the said George W. Crawford
towards that claim, and does not authorize them to
inquire whether there was any thing unusual or
improper in allowing interest on the same, and
they ask the instruction of the House."
| He asked that the resolution under which the
committee was appointed be read to the House,
land an extract was read accordingly.l He de-
sired to cay to the House, on the part of the com
mittee, that they do not ask OF the House any en-
largement of the duties conded to them; they have
seen nothing in the progress Of the investigation
which induces them to apply for an increase OF
power and, the part OF the committee, he felt 1t
10 be his duty to protest that differences of any
kind arc to be drawn from their present application.
Every body, in and out of the House, must know
and believe, from the communication OF the Secre-
ary of War and the phraseology OF the resolution,
that the powers of the committee do not extend be-
yond an inquiry into the "reation and conduct" of
the Secretary Of War towards the claim This was
a duty which he was charged to perform: and, In
the language of the report, he asked the instruc-
lions Of the House TO the Interpretation Of the
language and the duty of the committee: They
content TO perform their duty, as defined by
the resolution, and will shrink from no duty; but
they wish distinctly to be understood not asking
that their duties be increased their powers en-
larged In this, in other cases, they desire the
House act in the particular stated before the
suit of their investigation can be submitted.
Mr.. MOORE, aware that certain reports are in
| circulation, moved that the select committee have
power to inquire into all the circumstances con-
nected with the allowance OF the interest on the
| claim.
Mr.. CRowELL. "And have power to send for
persons and papers"
The SPEAKER requested the gentleman from
Pennsylvania 10 reduce his resolution TO writing.
Dir. MOORE did and IL W read.
Mr.. SWEETZER said that the other day he en-
deavored To offer a resolution calling upon the
Secretary of the Treasury TO communicate to the
House the amount Of money paid out Of the trea
sury the Galphin claim; whether it was pro-
vided for by law; and the several sums paid out,
with interest, the opinion Of the Attorney Gen
era since the fourth Of March, 1s49; and further,
that the Committee Of Ways and Means be direct
ed TO inquire into the expediency of suspending
the payment Of interest on claims, the principal
on which has been paid. He willing to
modify the resolution, to suit the views of the
chairman of the special committee, and strike out
SO much of II as related TO other claims. He de-
sired to thorough investigation of the case.
He understood 10 say that he had been told
that large claims were ready 10 be carried before
the Departments, which, ifallowed, would bankrupt
the Government. He wished TO what had been
done by the Administration in the way of claims.
Rumor went further, and said that they had pro-
duccd discord among the members of the Cabinet.
Ii seemed to him that gentlemen should interpose
no obstacles To an investigation as 10 whether the
fair and full investigation, without distinction OF
party, particularly as the papers had presented the
matter in an aspect truly alarming.
Mr.. BURT merely desired to say that the gentle
man misspprehepded him, If he supposed that he
had had any consultation with the parties inter
ested. He would say, on the part Of the committee,
that they quite content TO discharge the duties
devolved on them by the House, and would be glad
IL the lsbors be confined 10 one subject only.
Mr.. JOHNSON, Of Arkansas, rose 10 a question
Of order. twas that the amendment Of the gen
tleman from Ohio Mr.. SwEETzER) not being in
the possession Of the House. lie in the condition of
not being offered at all.
The SPEAKER desired the gentleman to submit
the resolution in writing.
Mr.. JOHNSON said that the proper management
Of this case should come from the Wings. II was
due 10 them.
Mr.. SwEETZER reduced his resolution TO writ
ing, and il read by the Clerk.
! Mr.. THOMPSON, Of Mississippi, preferred the
resouti IN Of the gentleman from Pennsylvania,
(Mr. MooRE) He did not think that the com
mttee should be instructed 10 investigate every
thing connected with claims.