Washington sentinel., 1854-03-29
CGngrfssi0nal. O
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
In senate--Tuesday, March Is. 1884.
REPORT ON MEXICAN CLAIMS.


In Eenate--Tucsday, March %, 1854.
REPORT ON MEXICAN CLAIMS.
Mr., BRODHEAD said that during the last ses-
sion of Congress select committee, of which
Mr.. Soule was chairman, was appointed 10 inves-
lgate certain complaints as to the decisions OF
the board Of commissioners who adJudicated the
claims against Mexico, as provided by the treaty
with Mexico. Before that committee reported,
but after il had agreed upon the basis OF report,
Mr.. Soule was appointed 10 and let the country
upon foreign mission, and no report had ever
been made. He and his colleagues upon the COM
mittee had since the meeting Of this session pre-
pared report, and now asked leave 10 present il,
and to move that il and the accompanying papers
be printed.
Mr. BAYARD made some remarks explanatory
Of the reasons why the report had not been sooner
made; and also OF the views taken generally by
the committee as TO the decisions by the board Of
commissioners. The committee strongly con-
demned the allowances made TO Gardiner Mears
and Aaron Leggett The committee thought that
injustice had been done 10 but few claimants by
the board.
The motion 10 print was agreed to-
THE DEFICIENCY BILL.
On motion by Mr.. HUNTER, the Senate pro-
ceeeed to the consideration Of the deficiency bill.
Mr.. GWlN, by direction Of the Committee ON
Finance, asked leave to withdraw the pending
amendment, appropriating S250,000 for the pur-
chase of a new site for a custom-house at San
Francisco, California.
No objection being made, the amendment was
Withdrawn.
The next amendment pending was the follow
ing reported by the Committee on Finance:
THAT before any payment shall hereafter be
made 10 any invalid pensioner, whose name shall
be upon the pension list two years, he shall pro-
duce to the agent for paying pensions 10 whom he
shall apply for payment, the affidavit oftwo sur
geons or physicians, approved by the Secretary of
the INTERIOR stating from personal examination
the continuance Of the disability, describing it, for
which the pension was originally granted, and the
date ofsuch disability at the time Of making such
affidavit; and every two years after the date OF
such affidavit he shall, before receiving any fur
ther payment, produce TO said agent similar afii-
davt; and if in said affidavit the disability shall
be stated at rate below that for which the pen.
sion was originally granted, he shall only be paid
at the rate stated in said affidavit; said afida-
vii shall be filed by said agents. and carefully
preserved, andcopies thereof shall be transmitted
with the semi-annual returns Of said agents, to
the commissioner of pensions who shall file them
with the original papers Of said pensioner. Pro-
viaed, That when the pension shall have been ori-
ginaly granted by special act Of Congress, or
for total disability for the loss Of limb other
cause, which cannot be removed, either in whole
or in part the above affidavit shall not be required
Ind propided further, That if any person entitled
to an invalid pension shall be in the possession oi
a salaried civil Office, his pension shall be sus-
pended during the time of his employment in said
civil office"
Messrs. ADAMS, JONES Of Iowa. SHIELDS
and WELLER, opposed the amendment, and
Messrs. HUNTER, PEARCE, and HAMLIN
supported it; and, before any question was taken
the bill was postponed until tomorrow at one
O'clock.
The Senate then, on motion by Mr.. MASON
proceeded to the consideration Of executive bust
ness. g
And after some time the doors were opened
And the Senate adjourned.