The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-06

lection 10 The widow OF the soldier IN her lonely state
bat when she becomes married she trust 10 the en-
egies OF her husband II unwise 10 trust 10 any other
source. Therefore, | reason why this pension
should be continued to those widows after they have
married again. DO otsay that when they become wild
ows again we shall stop the pension money. am per-
feely willing, long they widows and have this
claim upon US, TO extend these pecunary benefits but
think IL is lmpoltc ard unwise thai should give 10
the vile OF marfed man pension. | therefore hope
that my amendment viii receive the favorable consdera
ton OF The Senate.
Mr. BUTLER One word in reply TO my friend from
Georgia, Mr., CHARLTON assure him that II were 10
trust TO my heart, would be in much more danger from
the widows OF the Mexican officers than from any other
class for they young and beautiful, daughter nor
am by any means that the gentleman himself has
been perfectly Tree from such Impressions, nowithstand
ing he Is married man. He is gallant. generous. and
ehivaIous aud am not at all surprised that he has taken
The side OF the young widows. WIZ
MIR, CHARLTON, On the contrary, am going against
them.
Mr. BUTLER. My opinion is that we can define by
law the class OF persons to whom willing to give
penson--namely the widows OF revolutionary officers
and soldiers. Will say to my friend, that that class OF
illuslrIous women might be very well personifed by
Cornelia the daughter OF Scipio, and mother of the
Graccbi She would have personied that class OF illus
trious women OF the revolution connected in any way
by marriage Otherwise with the officers and soldiers
OF the revolution; for the woman who has married a
soldier has derived distinction which cannot fail TO be
respected and am willing any account a tribute
10 the historical merit OF those who achieved our indie
pendence, 10 make that distinction, but to extend il
further. do not pretend to say that should be indf
ferent to any widow Who might come here and claim
bounty on the score OF justice whether OF soldier
not think many might claim it with much proprie
~ some whose husbands drew pension during their
lifetime i is difficult, my friend from Georgia says
to draw distinction; and perhaps did the express
sion upon occasion that, in my opinion there
more wisdom and safety in the impulses of warm
heart than the dlctalon OF cold crafty head. But
while am required to draw distinction here, am not
willing to trust my heart but rather the suggestions OF
history. However, ! shall make no strenuous oppos
ton TO this bill, because my friend from Georgia has
very nearly convinced me by his remarks that his views
are pretty correct and have doubt they will have an
influence upon this body, as well upon the public
mind.
Mr.. BORLAND do not intend to engage in the gal
lanry and poetry Of this discussion leave that The
gallant young gentlemen upon my right and left, who
have so well treated that branch OF the subject shall
contne myself TO the merits OF the bill reported from
The committee, and as now proposed 10 be amended
desire 10 repeat to my friend from Georgia, MIR. CHARL-
TONI that he has misappehen led the character OF that
portion OF the bill that | now propose 10 amend He
seems 10 suppose, and to insist upon the idea, that it
fers TO the widows OF revolutionary soldiers In that he
IS altogether mistaken. Ii he will look it, he will see
that refers 10 the fifteenth section Of the passed on
NE ION o. March 1902; no, to provide for the widows
OF revolutionary soldiers, but for those whose husbands
were enlisted during time OF peace. That act
prospective IN its operation. provided that the widows
OF those who then enlisted in the service, and who died
in consequence OF wounds or disease, should receive
pension Tor five years So the section does not relate
revolutionary officers or soldiers al all The only thing
amendment proposed by the senator from Maine, Mr..
A1s sAs wse fo Was aW%pPied Yesterday
Mr.. Bo clsN Certainly.
Mr.. CHARLTON. How long do you intend that the
pensions for the widows of the soldiers of the OF 1912
Mr. BORLAND. During their natural lives, from and
after the passage Of this act
Mr.. CHARLTON. There is exactly where | differ
from the gentleman think it should be during their
natural life, or during widowh hood.
Mr.. BORLAND That is not the point to which was
then speaking The senator from Georgia based his re-
marks upon the supposilon that this amendment related
10 revolutionary My object in referring TO the 18th
section OF the act OF 1902 TO show that related 10
the revolutionary cases al all, Neither the first the
second section of the bill referred them but
erred 10 the officers and soldiers then in the army under
The act for the peace establishment and the other pro-
vided Tor widows OF officers and soldiers OF the OF
si2each class OF widows having received under these
laws pension for five years, and no longer. The OBJ
ect OF the sections of the BILL therefore, revive
these laws, 20 far they apply 10 widows and TO give
them the pension provided in these laws OF 1902 and 1916
Tor the remainder OF their lives from and after the pas
sage OF this ACT. The Senate have adopted the amend
ment limiting il in this way, 10 obviae the obee
ton to its retrospective operation, made by several
senators yesterdays and the first section gives pension
Tor the natural lie 10 the widows OF soldiers OF the
war OF 1872 so propose thai the Sd section shall give
10 widows vided for by the act OF lso2 during their
natural lives | propose TO strike out The words "or
during wdowhood," TO put these on the same loot
ing AZ the others,
Now, the objection the raises in regard 10
widowhood. what, let me ask, be the ages OF all
these wdowsi Those provided for in the third section
under the act OF 1902 must be somewhere presume in
the neghborhood OF seventy years Those provided for
under the act OF lsl6 must be about from fifty 10 sixty
years OF age. 1t may be possble-such things do hap.
pen-that widows at the age OF from sixty 10 seventy
marry. have known such cases, but they extreme
ly rare and il a OF the should occur, per
fectly willing that the woman should have pension not
withdrawing her marriage for she mus, be woman OF
extraordinary merit 10 marry at that age She is sol
der in her very nature ii she undertakes IT. and am for
giving her pension.
So. sir, think, upon the points OF objection raised
by the senator from Georgia, the explanation give ought
to be satisfactory and instead OF attempting cucumber
the first section of the bill by restricting the pension to the
term Of widowhood, ,rus! that he will join with in
striking out the restriction in the third section, and place
those OF 1912
Mr. CHARLTON. ] mos, cheerfuIy acquiesce in the
sentiments last uttered.
Mr. SEWARD / am satisfied that the honorable SEN |
ator from Georgia will have to withdraw one OF two
thngs--elber his speech or his amendmen,--because
they are mutually fsio de Sc. The speech will convey
the idea that his proposition is Tor the relief OF widows,
whether they marry not and II his speech is left 10
stand, am sure the amendment cannot prevail The
honorable senator il remember right, has been Judge,
and good one, too. He therefore must have become
quanted with decision made in a highly respectable
court which was. that limitations OF devise 10 widows
for the term OF their widowhood valid devises, indie
pendent OF the condition in regard TO subseque
rage. will not say that that decision good law,
butt will say that IL sound and good morality
Either the widow OF soldier OF the army Of the United
States has no claim at all Tor pension, she has
claim which in way defeated by the circumstance
that she Judges il best for her condition in life that she
shall marry again, and improve that condition would
from Georgia, and lei The speech stand record
zdopL he ndu and hc