The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-24


scale and then every other OF every Other soldier
that falls IN our wars, whether private or an omce VIII
come here and demand OF you bill differing only IN de-
gree, but not in principle from this one.
Now, have no hopes OF aresng the progress Oh lhls
bill-none in the world see that il is ioregone con
cluson that all bills OF this character are 10 pass this
body We approached by senator's feelings are
appealed and under that state OF sympathy these bills
passed by commend that state OF feeling very
highly, and to consult il alone in regard 10 myself,
would vote for this bill But believing that we do
sf injustice in passing bills OF this description 10
great many other that exist than do OF mercy 10
the few that thus benefited, | hold that my duty re-
qures 10 vote against this bill and all others oil sim
liar character
Mr.. CASS The existing laws give pension 10 the
widows and minor children OF officers and soldiers who
fall in the battles of their country. And whyl Be.
he whom God and Nature provided 10 take OF
them has fallen in the service oil his country We have
assumed give il for five years only Now, there is
peculiar virtue in the number s. the numbers O. 2,
There no reason except that oil expedency
why we should stop at the number 5. And itis lar
rule that should stop al five years for widows, am
willing to 20 further But am perfectly willing in
cases like ihscases where the children minors and
will be minors for yearso extend the principle, not by
general law, but by special laws making extend 10
particular caseso extend the principle TO other
for the same reason that would extend il 10 this They
have lost him whom God provided TO take care OF them
before they take OF themselves And therefore
il TO me that the obligations that the country has
assumed for five years would justly continue while they
are IN that condition IN which, by Gods will, they
are so utterly helpless that they are unable TO take care
OF themselves. 1 am willing TO assume, as a general
principle 10 be carried out in their particular cases. that
the country should take OF them until their state oil
minority Is passed. Then duty is ended, because
then the duty OF the parent would be ended. shall
therefore, vote for this bill, though should vote against
general bill because prefer TO Judge OF each particu
Mr. JONES. II happens, Mr.. President. that this
widow personally known to four OF the members Of The
known 10 be one OF the most interesting and amiable
ladies OF the country, and is held in the highest esteem
by all who know her majority Of the committee are
personally acquainted with the condition in which she is
left by her gaan, husband who had rendered such signal
services TO his country in two warshat in Florida with
the Seminole Indians. where he suffered many
prvaions and that in Mexico where he fell at the head
of his company when bravely leading his on TO VIC
tory and acquiring Tor his country honors and fame which
will last forever myself, Mr.. President, well
quainted with the helpless and penniless condition in
which her six little children are left and that all that
they or their aectonae mother expect ask for is
the small pittance which this bill proposes ogiye them
for the short period OF five years. Small as il is, it will
be OF infinite advantage TO them, and will be all that they
receive from their country for the loss of their
natural protector who. had he been spared to Them
would have provided Tor their wants. and been otherwise
to them and their excellent mother all that affection
ale father and devoted husband could have been. This
rling sum (about twenty doars) per month (not suf
icent to feed and cothe them) will enable the mother
to pay part OF the ordinary tuition fees of
English education.
The distinguished and valuable services rendered 10 his
country by Captain Capron have been testified 10 by many
OF the officers OF the United States army who served with
him in Florida and in Mexico, in communications which
are now on the Seceiarys desk with the papers the
case and which, with the report just brought in from the
printing office, may be read, il gentlemen desire anything
further to satisfy them in relation the merits OF this
case.
Many SENATOR'S. That is sufficiently
consider, and does every member of the committee
that this is of the mertorous cases which has
been presented 70 the Senate for its actions and can
sure the honorable senator from Georgia that certainly
am, and believe every other menber of the Committee
on Pensions would be, willing report bill making
provision for every such case as the one under
IN, n pvp MI oucb
presented and referred 10 us for action But, sir
such cases rarely occur; and am quite sure stronger
one, Claiming The sympathy oil the country will not be
again presented TO us.
This bill proposing give 10 the six orphan child.
rem OF The widow OF the late Captain Capron, of the
United States army, the amount OF pension which
had been granted TO The mother Tor five years. The
widow peloned at the last sessono Congress for
tension for lille OF the pension awarded her by the act OF
the 20h August, lSi7. The committee at the last ses-
sion unanimously reported bill in her favor according
10 the prayer OF her petition But the committee at this
session, aware OF the objections which they knew
listed in the minds Of members OF the Senate against
tending the bounty for life in such cases. with the hope
that objections would be made TO the bill if il should
provide for the orphans alone and but for five years have
accordingly reported and By unanimous vote there
fore hope the vote will be now taken, and the bill be
allowed TO pass without further discussion.
! Mr. DAWSON. | wish TO be understood about this
matter do not believe that Congress has the power oil
doing the act in question. | recolIect but short time
ago when the distinguished head of this government laid
down the position that Congress had no power even 10
appfoPae money 10 guy Woou 70 warm e poor OF this
| city.
| Mr. WALKER. But il was done
| Mr.. DAWSON. Now we are 10 appropriate money
Tor the purpose OF sustaining the poor That power
and duty that belongs to the State and this government
has right power under The constitution create
fund TO maintain the poor in the different States We
have no citizens OF the United States" strictly speak
ing. All people live within the different States, and
it Is there that the poor laws be passed. and the
poor 10 be provided for aud the ngent educated
oil the funds OF the separate States. This government
has attempted TO exercise this power all within a
upon itself TO make provision for the deceased officers
and soldiers IL Is only personal right arising out OF
the personal services OF these persons TO this country
and the services alone are compensated
| Who should support and educate these orphan child
rem Where do they reside These children referred
my friend, Mr. JosEs, of lowal Have you not laws
there for the purpose OF educating and maintaining the
poor Is there any such power belonging TO this gov
eminent And II there was, would II be policy 10
ercse ~ Who understands well how TO control this
power and provide for the INDECENT Of the State the
legislature OF the State where they reside Why, sir
tins OF the greatest possible stretches OF the con.
stlution agree with The late amenled head OF the
government OF the United States when he said he did not
where the authority rested that would give him the
power TO give wood 10 the poor OF the District oil
Columbia He went upon principle. And now princi-
pie is TO be abandoned and sympathies resoed To-
II were TO trust myself my sympathes this govern.
ment would be bankrupt, my symIaihes were guide
our action here; for | maintain that | have az much
sympathy indulgence, and kindness by Nature for the
widow and orphan as any man living. But when we
come to stand upon principle II is very different thing
MI. CASS. II Is new objection TO that the hon
orabe senator IRON Georgia has made. II goes upon the
ground that you have no right 10 grant pensions. Z.
Mr.. DAWSON. No, sir; II is that you have no right
to appropriate money to maintain the poor and 10 educate