The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-28

know that the army and the navy popular.
know that everything which goes TO elevate still higher
popular arm Of the public service through both
branches OF Congress with Niagara cuuent Nothing
can stop resist It, Ii candidate Tor the presi.
dency, possibly mig h not make the speech that am
now making but expect to belong to the tax pay
Ing portion OF this country, that have TO meet the bur
dens OF the government, who foot your bills, who pro
vide the snews OF and support the establishments
OF peace by filling your Golfers want that system in
this country which no tax payer ought to regret resist
wish every citizen to be able to put his hand his
heart and say he cordially approves OF the expenditures
OF the government canaot approve that system Of
things which TO go on enlaging the classes and
bers OF pensioners until millions oil dollars from the
treasury are annually required TO pay them. Sir we
should remember there are Iax-paying widows and
phans who need the of government as well as the
widows and orphans of deceased officers and soldiers
will not burden one set for the benefit OF another, unless
required by the clearest principles OF policy and justice
sions In July. 1881, Congress passed bill providing
naval armament The eleventh section of that bill de.
clares thai when any officer marne seaman OF the
navy should "be Uounded disabled" while in the line
oil his duty he should be placed upon the list of iDyalids
VI such rate OF and undersuch egulaons should
be directed by the President Of the United States In
opinion this act IN reference TO the naval branch oi the
service ought to have received and for aught know did
receive the struclion which the of 1923 re-
o ay Ra 70 % I o. disability re- re-
legislation IN reference to The naval branch OF the public
service, ram sorry TO find that words have been intro
duced which would allow more lattudnous construc,
| lion.
The OF The ai March. 1899. for the governmen, of
the navy provides that "eyery officer, seaman, and
rne, disabled in the line Of his duty shall be entitled TO
ceive for his life, and the life Of his wife. if
ried man, half his monthly lay al the time OF his
receiving the wound" This act shows, from The use
Of the expression half his monthly pay at Tie time
Of has receutng the wound that Congress only intended
to grant pensions to widows whose husbands lost their
lives in consequence OF ,ooands received Wives
time in this act OF 1892 AS the half pay OF the officer
seaman. or marine, at the time the wound was received
was to be allowed the widow, il is clear that the
strucon OF this naval pension act ought 10 have been the
same that was given TO the military act oil 1893.
But by the ac, OF April 1900. for the better govern
men OF the navy OF the United States, il was provided
that eveiy ocer, seaman or marine, disabled in the
line OF his duty, shall be entitled to receive, Tor life
during his disability, pension not exceeding one half
that act should sys ssys dspasa from Ss
original acts In regard TO naval pensions, passed only
year two before; why it should have departed IRON
given pensions to officers, sailors" and marines
disabled IN the lane of duty, without saying anything o
tcounds. the cause OF the disability. are matters which
passed since the act OF 1900 took effect Whatever lis
practical construction may have been, its language is
broad enough to allow pension for any disability.
whether resulting from disease wounds,
ln june 1912, at the commencement OF the second war
with Great Britain an act passed providing that two
per upon the prizes which might be captured by the
navy OF tue United States, and the prvateers OF the
United Slstes sea, should constitute fund which
to be devoted TO the maintenance oil the widows and
phans OF those who might be sain and the support Of
those who might be wounded and disabled in engage
nents with the enemy. That act OF 1919 The ounda.
ton OF the naval pension fund in behalf OF widows and
orphans They put upon the pension list for FIVE
years, believe, and paid out OF the naval pension
fund. That was the commencement OF II. u went on
until the navy pension fund exhausted. In the
origin il retention OF prze money that properly
belonged to the crew. The government only undertook
to administer the amount retained Tor the benefit OF those
the widows and orphsnsio whom il originally and prop
ery belonged Whenever the prize money was ex-
haused the government had fulfilled its engagement and
longer bound to pay pensions granted to widows
and children in consequence OF retaining two per cent OF
with the exhaustion OF the fund. These people, having
been put on the pension lls have been continued,
believe, a. pensioners ever since.
have given the history OF these things in their
origin. have narrated the earlier and think the better
practice OF the government, beginning at time when IT
was poor and would add when il was pure. do not
wsh IN that expression, 10 lay the foundation for an
implication that the enlargement OF our pension system.
until its greedy calls amount TO millions per annum has
been the work Of political corruption But believe
history will justify IN saying that those governments
which are poor and pncbed Tor means are generally
honest up 10 the standard OF justice and seldom go
beyond ii while governments that nch and power
ful, Is, always IN danger OF indulgng
exravagant expenditures, demorazng IN their tendency
While therefore, will not denounce the extent to which
pension system has been carried corrupt YET will
say that in my humble judgment. il ha. gone beyond
everything like propDe,y; has gone Jar AZ 10 come
up TO what may be considered injustice 10 those who
bear the burden. have already stated the danger OF
placing portion oi the community upon the treasury
10 feast at the expense OF the remainder
Mr.. President, feel much for and children
most men. and know have much to be partial
TO them any other My opposition to this enlarge.
men OF the pension system does proceed from any
hostile feeling 10 ibem from any want OF sympathy
of those who have lost their gallant protectors at
upon the land. But act.upon principle; act upon a
principle which | think applicable 10 the condition OF
things IN this couniryin every repubci and that Is.
TO restrict and oppose everything like sinecures every
thing like the issuing Of grstuites ~ behalf OF every
boIy and anybody When YOU promise pensions to in
duce enllsmenis IN the army and navy-ihey are not
necessary stimulate the soldier sailor in la tie TO
exposure and heroic deeds for he is there actu
sted by higher and nobler mpulsesfulh your contracts
good policy provide for those disabled by wounds
am willing to make and carry out that bargain, but
there wish 10 stop do not think that this govern
ought TO be made, II has been termed this floor.
eeemos for the granting OF aims every
individual who may have rendered meritoous services,
and who thereafter may be reduced TO want their
families after they dead. Ii poverty exists il penury
exists must in my opinion turn II over TO the States
OF this confedera This il not the 10 al
tend 10 things Of that sort Let pass wise prospective
pc nson laws. and then adhere them What our revo-
uionary fathers granted the rule that they prescribed,
am willing TO live up TO and abide by. Further
than that am unwilling 10 go. To come 10 their STAN
dard must curaIl and Tefrench instead OF enlarge
and ampy shall therefore vote against the TesoIu-
ton.
EXECUTIVE BUsINEss.
Mr. GWN. move to lay this bill upon the table. for
the purpose OF proceeding TO the consideration Of
hope the Senate will do me the favor to agree TO it
The question being taken, upon division the motion
was agreed to--ayea 23, noes not counted.
After time spent in the confederation OF executive
business, the doors were reopened. and
The Senate adjourned