The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-28
CONGRESS- OF THE u. STATES.


lIs coSTisuATIos
sknarE.
WIDOWS psssIoks.
4, HALE | move that AL prior orders be postponed
mat the S-pae iase ~ House resolution No. o;
If the Senate will hear me state the reason, know
all have The whole oi ihem with me. and particularly
friend uraf me [hlf FpoTE BY the constructions
piacel utsIp the peislua Jaws, certain widows are
wed OF pensions which they would have en-
a b, the construction piiced upon them previous 70
instructions oi the lat. Secretary OF the Interior upon
,ubjec. Tie HVu-r o. Representatives early in The
session passed joint resolution 10 remedy that con-
eiloa. The construction is lhs There were certain
sion laws passed in 1888, 1912, and IN ls43 The
struc ion oil the department 10, that il wd9w had a
band living Al the time OF the passage OF the acl al
ngh he night have since died. she no, to be al
ed pension. The House OF Representatives, 10 rem
this. early IN the last SESSION passed joint resoIu-
which sent to The Senate, and referred 10 the
m,ni,ee on Pensions, That committee was in favor
H. but reported one or two amendments, which were
pied; and they are satisfied that those amend.
It's entauger the passage OF the resolution am All
zed BY ,he committee TO ark the Senate to econside
amendments, and To pass the joint resolution iha
* lew old widows may have the benefit OF the laws
red for their relief.
Dir DOUGLAS. ana in favor of il but there is one
territorial bill left and xs this il territorial dav
be the senator will Withdraw his motion.
ne motion was agreed to-aycs q, noes not counted
(he Senate accordingly proceeded as in committee
the whole 10 Tue consideration OF joint solution
pm the House Of Repreeen,ayes) No. J,expaining The
Of 7th July, 1888, March 3, lsi3, and June III 1874
no further amendment being proposed, was reported
khe Senate
Che amendments were non-concurred in,
fhe question was then stated upon ordering the bill "a
engrossei tor third reading.
Mr. DAWSON. As understand this resolution, il is
the purpose OF changing the time OF the laws existing
etofofe II a widow becomes such before particular
she rs entitled. under tie laws OF 1888 and OF lS43
II ah hUcn ..i>x, A.
gnaied in these laws, then she is not entitled 10 4
hsIon. Now, il is intended by this resolution o
endment 10 give widow pension, without regard
The question when her husband may have died
he Is living to-day, and dies 10 morrow, the widow
be entitled 10 the pension. That understand 10 bs
effect OF tito change lte limitation to the LIST of De
nber, ls43. 30 that ii he should die at any ne sht
y still be entitled ls that III
M. HALE, Tin his seat.) believe that is it.
Mr. DAWSON. Then it is virtually extending the
Of ls4S 10 all persons who shall become widow.
soldiers, and who would have been entitled to pen
n had the husband died prior 10 1sa3. 1t is only an
ension OF the day OF the date Of the act OF lSl3
ttlng II without any limitation. That is the reason oi
opposition TO the bill loppose il upon the ground
p AN unwilling to extend the pension laws any
5ther. We have been lioe,a! az we can be. Ii
s3 we extended the Dme Tor fcur years, and II, 1885
i've years. Now, II 10 immatenal when the indvidua
came widow--she is 10 be entitled 10 the pension
the pensions are to be continued until the surviving
[lows Of all our soldiers shall have died.
! senator from Georgia; but do confess that OF al
sses on earth on which this rigid economy shovld
brought to bear. The poor remnant OF widows OF
SolulonaIes - not the one to be selected. will
~ state the difficulty. The laws OF 1898, ls43 and
~, as administered by the Pension Office gave pensons
widows as soon as they became widows. But the
fparlpent OF The Interior was Organized and that con-
fuc.ioa placed upon the pension laws overruled
tue Secretary OF the Interior His construction OF
y law was, that they must actually be widows on the
Py OF the paage OF the act and if their died
erwardr they were not entitled TO the benefits OF the
r. as the Commissioner OF Pensions had administered
|e law The Committee on Pensions in the House
representatives, as soon their attention was called
~ reported this joint resolution, which was passed in
(e House, believe, almost UNANIMOUSLY. The Com
seioner o Pensions IL IN favor Of the alteration The
ommee on Pensions IN the Senate il in favor of
|; and ! think the Senate understand the whole
Fope and object Of it and if they do, will not be 50
e as to attempt to explain il further. leave il 10 the
enae. r
Mr.. BENTON. II unde rs.and this Amendments arigb,
IS 10 give further elect, and TO increase The effect o
lese bills which take ~ the wives OF those Tho bave
Fen married since the revolution. In the old system
|e gave pensions only 10 those who were married be
pre- the close OF the revolution. was here when the
psi departure made-when first took the step tc
p away IRON the revolutionary widows, VINO were wives
he ofhcers al the time, aid who shared with thei
usoands within their proper spheres. all the evils which
khe upon the household consequence o the revolu
on-those who took care OF the house when the hus-
and was away, and those who mad their anxetes and
lef dangers. So lar thai went, went cheerfuy
iong was willing to give the pension to the widow
he reyon lonary olfcer or soldier, who his wife
arng The revolution; 5u was utterly opposed TO in.
ludihg those who married since the revolution
know OF no principle upon which they could be included
Al all ! was asains, the original principle am
sahs lis extension And as TO this hardship OF person
eng cut o Il he dies the day after the limitation takes
0ect. why, sir, applies TO all limitations. Ii you take
" day OF Judgment those who die the day alter the
1dsment Will be cut of; that the afgu,neni fails
Mr, UNDERWOOD. Mr. President, am thankful
,he gentleman from Missouri for the remarks which
has just made. II gives me little hope that there
ay oe some day or other an end ofpacing the
Immunity "a pensioners to live the labor and exer.
ons OF the other half. cannot consent to make one
oron OF the people pay taxes TO be dispensed by Con
Ie@ as graiues for the support Of anoher portion
p and always have been against that nre to call the
Iantlng pensons and 10 show it's progress from the
enhancement Of The government II seems TO me il
n De worthy OF the attention OF the Senate to look
.'e INTO It's history When our revolutionary fathers
sh'ed pensions, and when the early Congresses OF The
n''ed States provided pensions, il done in behalf of
oee VINO were disabled by wounds received in the actual
,lsice OF the country during the revolutionary war
nv VIII be found on reference to the statute book
~, give TO me Senate sketch OF the legislation OF the
'uny upon this subject Tho first act ever passed by
e congress OF the United States under the present con
uuon, was approved in Scpembe 1889 That act pro-
.ma military pensions granted and paid BY the States
f-'ss-uSeo' 'uo acW OF tne CONGRESS OF The United
alee aliudng TO the old Continental Congess to the
'sus wounded and disabled during the late war, shall
continued and paid by the United States for one year
he second act Of Congress this subject was passed in
NY, 1890 provides that the pensioners according 10
e resolution Of the Continental Congress- provided for
'ne ac' OF 1852 shonld be paid by the United States for
year longer This act, like the FIRST only provided for
ose 'couDdsd and dtsabied during the late war. In
'Ach, l7o2 Congress passed act for placing on the
'nson roll officers. soldiers and seamen who, during
= m war; were disabled in The actual service OF the
nlso states by wounds OF other known cause" Mark,
ow, sr. this legislative history
me Two hrst acts assumed the payment OF those who
ere placed ON the nenainn La h iha .AuArai SanA.a In