The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-08-11
Forgotten Chapter In General Picrce's
History.

The Nashville (Tenn.) Republican Banner
has been examining General PIERcE's minor
votes in the House of Representatives, and the
following statement is the result of the investi-
CATION. 1t forms a noticeable addition to the
history of the conduct of the Democratic candi-
date upon larger questions, as already presented
in detail through the columns of the Republic.
General PIERCE, it will be seen, sustained his
reputation by voting against the old revolu-
tionary soldiers and their widows, and also
against the old Indian fighters. His friends
have probably these votes in view when they
laud him as an economist:
The facts which now about to bring to
light, and which fully verified by the public
| records OF the country, will no doubt very much
| astonish some of the friends OF the lately Gun
known Democratic candidate for the Presidency.
We will take them in chronological order, as we
find them recorded. First, then. as he app cared
in 1888
| AGAINST THE INDIAN FIGHTERS.
| In tho House of Representatives, December q,
1888, (see House journal, page 1907 Mr.. Chiffon
| moved the following resolution for the benefit Of
the old Indian fighters:
| Rssolved, That select committee be appointed
whose duty it shall be to inquire into the expedi.
ency Of 80 extending tho provisions OF the act OF
Congre passed 7th June, 1882 granting pensions
to certain classes Of troops therein named, to
embrace in its provisions those who were engaged
in the wars against the Indians subsequent to the
| close OF the revolutionary war, and down to the
treaty Of Greenvie, with leave to report by bill
| otherwise.
on the table; which motion rejected; ayes so,
nays l37-Fraaklin Pierce voting in the Affirmative.
Mr.. Bouldin moved to strike out all of the reso-
luton after the word enquire" and insert "into
the moral and political effects Of the pension laws
of the United States, and how far the came ought to
| be modified or repealed"
On motion Of Mr.. Everett, the consideration Of
| the resolution and amendment was postponed
They were subsequently taken up, and debated
on the following days-l5,h, 10th, l7th, 22d, 23d,
Goth. 30th and 3lst January, 1884, and February
6, and o-without any definite action being had
upon them. Having been taken up again on
the nth February, (sec pnge 3l7,) MIR. Chiffon
| Allen demanded the previous question to cut off
debate and Mr. Bouldin's amendment. The call
| for the previous question was sustained, and the
main qucston was put and the resolution adopted;
yeas 100, nays s6-Ffanklin Pierce poting in the
| negative.
Amongst those voting in the affirmative in oppo-
| guished names: J. G. Adams, Chiffon Allen, John
Bell, John Blair, Rufus Choatc, Thomas Corwin,
David Crockett. u. w. Dickinson, Edward Everett,
| Willard Fillmore, J. b. Forester, A. G. Halves,
| Richard M. Johnson, Care Johnson, Luke Lea,
James X. Polk, james Standiftr, Samuel Bunch,
and W. M. Inge. Those in italics belong to the
Tennessee delegation.
The committee appointed under the resolution
reported, on the 25th February, bill to carry into
effect it's object. (See page a5s)
| The ACT OF 1882, which was thus proposed TO be
extended, giues to suruiping officers, non commits
STONED officers musicians, soldiers, aud Indian spies
Of tie old continental line, State troops rolvn-
| tee,s, or militia, ,cho haze serutd at
terms t,co years during the ,car Of the Revolution,
and have not been PROVIDED for BY The act Of 1928,
the amount of his full pay in said line, according
to his rank, but not in any case to exceed a cap.
tains pay during his natural life; those who have
served lcss tiIne but not less than six months,
proportionatc pny during life-from the 4th Of
| March, 1881.
Next, as he appeared in 1896
| AGAINST THE OLD RgvoLUrIoNERs.
| At page 300 of the House Journals Of Congress
for 1886, it will be found that the bill No. 1853 was
introduced "fo ertend the provisions Of act emit
tied an act supplementary the act for the relief Of
certain SURVIVING officers and soldiers Of the ReUois
ton, approved IN June, 1892"
At page 1880, same Journal, it is stated that
"Thc principle Of this bill (353) was engrafted n,
an amendment on the bill II II. 2l2, and passed
the House, but cid not pass the Senate"
At page l,044, same Journal the title Of bill No
2l2 Is given in thcee wurds: "An act offending tn
provisions Of the act entitled act supplementary
the actor the relief Of certain officers and soldier
Of the Revolution"
At page l,0t5, somc Journal it will be fount
that the question being put os to whether this bill
should be pat upon its final passage, the vote
stood yeas 50, nays S6-Ftanklia Pierce getting IL
the nesatiuc.
AT page l,o46, it will be found that, motion be
ing made to lay this bill upon the table, the vot'
upon the motion to lay on the table stood yea
s., nays lll-Frankiin Pi rec uoiing in the affirm
dtipe.
Al pages ,047-4S, il will be found that the mair
question being put upon the same bill, "Shall tn