Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-03-30

peadier because there was no older bgader
raj serving with him but he in fact colonel Now,
object the precedent Of leaving these matters to De decdea
the kind feelings Of the Congress OF the United states To-
wards persons who have performed distinguished services
repeat again that it is with great reluctance that throw
any obstacle in the OF the manifestation OF hoea, a
generous spirit the part of the Government TOWARDS s
widow of this distinguished officer but wish that It should
be done in way such practice hereafter IN smsr
cases. and not leave uncean merely to be settled oy the
degree of feeling think that the hapay Of colonel all
that shou be granted in this case.
Mr. DAVIS Of Mississippi The Senator from Arkansas has
certainly done than justice TO the merits the
soldier. think, indeed, that he has fallen short OF H. MS
goes not half told in the narration OF all the con-
nected with the Mexican Holding less rank, ne was
equally distinguished during the of 1872 Conspicuous
for his gaany Lundys Lane he there received wound
from which he recovered and which continued 10 aec
him throughout the whole Of his life agree with
the Senator from Alabama M KING that this should not
be made question of feeling. agree that however
metorious and galan may be the officer and however MS
claim may be presented to the Senate, there are hgher con-
sderaons than those of feeling The rule OF this Gov
eminent in relation to the army is 10 pay them the smallest
compensation for which such services be obtained and
the certainty of pay and the prospect OF promotion only
which holds of abilities in the army and with
out that nducement they probably would not remain nee
That certainty OF compensation, however, endures only so
long the officer may live, unless under especial act OF
Congress isextended Had this officer fallen while on duty
the war with Mexico, then his widow would have been
placed on the pension list by the existing law
Mr. KING. To what extent
Mr. DAVIS The highest rate of pension is the haf-pay
Of Northumberland and her would have been placed
the list at the highest rate that law admits And though
the Senator from Arkansas justly alluded 10 the melancholy
manner which this officer death by disease in advanc
ing San Antonio think be might with justice have said
that bis constitution shattered in Mexico, and that he
brought from that contest the seeds of disease which rendered
him peculiarly liable TO the epidemic of which he died. O
who have encountered that epidemic suffer-
ing sick leaves throughout the country from the like effects
Of that would 60 further, and say that whilst we
pursue this low rate Of compensation as we do and obtain
capacity which would SECURE double the amount IN other
walks Of life that should make provisions that would
render them satisfied with this compensation and one of
them would be TO provide for his family after death.
This officer would have been entitled pension any day
that he might have left the army for the wounds he received
in BATTLE and but extend to the widow, left destitute by
the sudden death which cut him of from the service of his
conny the pension which the officer might have secured for
himself and free from that DANGER have lived longer enjoy
would vote it his widow strict principles of JUS
tce would ask nothing from feeling however high the
claim might be and think that strict justice requires
that should place the widow the pension list at least at
the highest rate known to our existing laws.
Mr.. KING. That would be the half-pay Of lieutenant
colonel.
Mr.. DAVIS Well.
Mr. BUTLER. hope the bill will pass without amend
ment. We very much in the habit Of erecting marble
monuments by way Of estyng gratitude and regard for
the mertcous and gallant dead but prefer living monu
of gratitude. II is in that point of view that
would provide for the widow Of the gallant soldier who
now, would be entitled TO the amount provided for.
Mr. SHIELDS. concur, sir, in the remarks of my friend
from South Carolina (Mr BUTLER) this subject do not
like to remain silent when question Of this kind be-
fore the Senate for well acquainted with Gen. Worth
in his lifetime. II is not necessary for me to say that more
gallant brilliant, more talented officer, has never
commanded in the American army since its first organization
and say my friend from Alabama, (Mr KING, who |
know would do nothing that appeared to be ungeaerous
Gen. WORTH that throughout the whole OF the Mexican
he commanded colonel but hrgader general
by assignment of the Government is true, cir that was
his rank in the line and is ALSO the Senator from
Mississippi Mr. DAvIs said that mancan get higher
pension under the existing law than that of lieutenant colo
nell and think the system exceedingly wrong. But Gen;
Worth throughout the whole Of the Mexican war commanded
as brigadier general
Mr. DAVIS, Of Mississippi Part of the time major
general
Mr. SHIELDS. Yes part Of the time a major general,
and this by the special assignment Of his Government and
If there any pension due to his widow is not according
his nea rank but according to that which he acu-
ally held and occupied should be very therefore,
any made here to lower the pension under
| fifty dollars.
agree with the Senator from South Carolina that while
give marble testimonials of regard for the brave
who have fallen in battle, this substantial tesimo-
na the hero who has aen though not battle was
said by the Senator from Mississippi under the effect OF
disease which he contracted in the service Of his country
Mr.. KING. There is in this nation less disposed
to detract from the merits of Gen. Worth than myself had
the pleasure of knowing him from much earlier period than
the with Great Britain in 1912 knew him WELL and in
station in which he has been placed he discharged his
duty CALAMITY, faithfully and in such to dsn
guish himself before the whole American people, It is not
because undeate the services of Gen. Worth certainly
not but gentlemen speak in this matter if pension
be given Gen. Worth which usual and ordinary, and
be taken the ordinary rule because of his dsn
gushed services and because he occupied particular grade
in the army. This is If Gen. Worth had fallen in
any of the battles in which he fought in Mexico, where he
himself with glory, what would have been the condi
ton of his widow According to the existing laws she
would be entitled pension of the halpay Of lieutenant
colonel, and nothing beyond it. Now, prepared, in
this particular case, although does not strictly within
the provisions of the law, for Gen. Worth has not fallen in
battle, to waive any objections which exist the subject
and place Mrs. Worth the pension list at higher rate
than, with exception any widow Of any officer of any
grade before received and that alone by special act Of
Congress and that the widow of officer of the
naval service Is that any thing ungenerous This widow
will get higher pay than the widow of any other officer
provided give her the halfpay of full colonel which
the rank of Gen. Worth. Is that any thing bera to
astonish gentlemen, show that disposed to
give something substantial the widow of this gallant Off
GER Certainly not
repeat again. sir that, having known that officer long
and WELL and appreciated him high the Senator from
Illinois possibly can, il with great reluctance that present
myself in opposition any manifestation of the respect and
regard which the Senate of the United States disposed to
show to his memory by placing his widow on the pension
list at the highest possible But the highest rate under
the law would have been that Of lieutenant colonel and
he would have been entitled to receive provided his life bad
been spared.
The amendment to ell the blank with $50 per month
then agreed the bill reported the Senate the amend
ment agreed ia Committee Of the Whole concurred
the bill ordered TO be engrossed for third reading and