Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-01-18

III M
butng directly to make PENSIONS while in the other case
Congress only restoring fund which they had dsspated
Mr.. DAVIS, OF Mississippi. II is no matter how the ma
val fund procured for the benefit Of the widows and or
phans Of naval officers They stand the foot
ing before it taken from Them and the object of this
bill 10 10 make the somewhat equal in regard 10 the
widows and orphans Of those who have died in the army and
Of those who have died in the navy It now douby un-
just, because the pay In the first place, is not equal and
then there is no fund provided.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. | submit proposition 10 amend
that bill for the purpose Of asceanng the of the Sc
nate particular point perceive from reading the BILL
that provides pensions not only for the widows and orphans
of those who shall have been killed in battle or shall have
died from wounds received in BATTLE but for the widows and
orphans of those who may have died. or shall die from
eases contracted in the public service II does me
that that Is an enlargement of pension system beyond all
reason am somewhat opposed, Mr. President confess,
this OF the pension system the country and
do not any good why the officers and soldiers Of
the army or The navy shall be pensoned than those
individuals who have out themselves the service Of
the country in civil life. We have members Of legislative
departments and members of the judicial departments who
continue for lifetime amos. in the public service Of the
country When they retire pension is given them, and
when they die no pension is given to their families do
not see any reason fr The distinction proposed Ac-
cordng 70 my examination of the subject pensions were org
naly given to those who killed battle wound
ed in battle And may be matter OF policy operate
upon the soldier sailor to provide for him when he
tans the loss OF limb in battle, when he loses his life by
giving pension to his family But as must all die at
some me by disease contracted tmehe soldier and
sailor we'll those in civil fe- really do why, if
the soldier dies of consumption other disease, PEN
sion should be paid in quence Of the loss Of his life
under such circumstances therefore, to strike out
that part Of the bill which provides for pensions for widows
of those who die from disease contacted in SERVICE leaving
1t to apply to those who die from wounds disabilities
ceived in battle.
Mr.. DAVIS, Of Mississippi am sure that if the sena-
had investigated this subject with that coseness of scrutiny
which he usually gives subjects which brought to his
attention. he would not have made the motion which he has
made for he might well strike the whole bill
The existing laws will all the purposes which the Se
naor wishes accomplish If the amendment proposed shall
be adopted Nor do think that if the Senator had bestowed
this question his usual examn aon he would have drawn
the comparison which he did between the soldiers and
that of civilians that Of judge He would have reflected
that they have much better salaries and much time for engag
ing in other pursuits and lastly, when they die their death
in the due Of nature in place which they
had chosen their residence in e and not like the soldier
who may be sent from Maine the sick climate Of Of Loui
sana, to fall victim to the yellow fever his arrivals not
like the soldier who ia sent to any part Of the country without
regard season. but looking only the interests Of the
vice. Surely the Senator will not draw such parallel as
that he will look seriously and carefully into this subject
If he seeks to limit expenses account Of pensions, this is
the way do it. The road lies open in another direc
ton. agree that the pension list is arge becoming too
large but this is not the way to reduce 1t. II the Senator
will restrict the expense account Of PENSIONS then let him
restrict pensions to those who paues to those who have
income beyond what is necessary TO support them strike
off that long list these who have other Of support and
suffer the paid to them remain in the treasury
Thus you will reduce the list far than this provision
will reduce it, and without that peculiar hardship which be-
longs to the present system, and which will continue the
amendment Of the Senator from Kentucky is adopted.
feel bound if this debate is continue to agree to what
know is the desire Of the Senator from Wisconsin, post
pone the further consideration of this 1t has already
been long postponed More than twenty years this question
has been discussed Its justice has always been established
1ahof IN rinfna
cussou for had hoped would pass without discussion.
hope that it will not must sgree to the postpone
ment .a.
Mr.. WALKER As the morning hour has passed, and
as have remarks which wish to add to what said
yesterday upon the bill then under consideration,
that the further consideration Of this question be postponed
until Tomorrow = ..@ ..5
The motion was agreed TO-.
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
The Senate proceeded the consideration of Senate bill
s5 to cede the public lands of the United States to the States
respectively In which they situated on condition that the
said States shall sevea grant and convey the said lands
actual occupants only in limited quantities. for cost Of survey,
transfer, and title munments merely. .. IA.
MI. WALKER resumed and concluded the speech which
ne comnenced yesterday, Of which report will appear
hereafter. ss
Mr. SEWARD. As nave some remarks which wish
to submit upon this question: and is late, and the
Senator from Connecticut (Mr. SMITH) has charge of bill
which he desires have considered and which he is entitled
to have considered now, will that the further
deraon of this subject be postponed and made the special
order for one week from this day. ....s
Mr.. BENTON. would ask the Senator from New York
to defer tha. motion until can offer amendment and
ask to have it printed ..
Mr.. SEWARD. will do SO certainly. n
Mr.. BENTON. am very glad that the Senator from
Wisconsin, who sits before me, MR. WALKER has brought
forward this bill with him in of his Objects
The general object of this bill to exuish the Federal titles
to the lands within the States and pass them easily into
the hands of cuivators I concur in that object but
wish to accomplish it by somewhat different from his
also wish to combine with that object anotherthat Of de-
irving revenue, and deriving promptly from the pub
lie lands.
For that purpose, wish offer amendment, before
sit down, to the bill Of the Senator from Wisconsin And
will take occasion to say, that think the time has come
when the circumstances in which the public lands placed
will force the Legislature Of the couny-w force Congress
to apply its mind seriously to their condition, and 10 bestow
upon the subject careful examination The Secretary Of the
Treasury, Mr. President has shown n his annual report
that according the best computation, there ninety five
millions Of Of land to be passed to those who have
served in the late and these ninety five millions at our
market prices worth hundred and twenty millions OF
dollars And he has shown that the rate at which the lands
taken by the purchasers it will require sixteen years to
dispose of these and in the time, as these
lands granted soldiers sold cheaper than the lands Of
United States they will monopoze the Market that the
United States expect to make sales until these ninety
five millions first disposed of.
believe the Secretary is entirely right in all these cacua-
tons, and that to look forward for the period OF
sixteen years. things stand, during which time we are
to derive from the public lands and are to keep
benefit Of those whom have enabled to expe from the
Market believe have had lately of the sronges,
illustrations Of the truth of the Secretays supposon in what
has occurred in of the land districts in the State of Iowa
that young State holding much public land and in which
the sales upon the part of the United States at late public
e. - L.