The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-12-17

tlon OF the President annual message For the purpose
Of ahording him an opportunity TO do this, be moved
that the rules be suspended, and the House go into
Committee of the Whole on the state Of the Union
which motion agreed to-
The House accordingly vent into Committee of Che
Whole on the state of the Union MIR HOPKINS OF Nir-
gina, IN the chair and resumed the consideration OF
the pension BILL Debate having been exhausted upon
the bill at the last session of Congress bat one hour
manned TO Mr. SAVAGE, who reported the bill
Mr. PHELPS, of Missouri again urged its postpone
ment 10 day certain.
Mr.. SAVAGE declined 1t would take but very short
time TO dispose OF the bill
Mr. JONES, OF Tennessee said they might take all the
questions OF foreign policy the condition OF the finances
the public printing and, in his opinion, there no
question of Importance paramount to this bill lie
therefore would like To- give his reasons for voting
against IT,
Considerable discussion ensued and number of at
tempts were made to induce MIR SAVAGE 10 consent 10
postponement all of which declined
Mr.. SAVAGE then proceeded to urge upon the House
the Importance OF granting these pensions and to defend
the bill from the attacks which had been made upon it.
lie condemned the extfavagant appropriations which had
been made for other objects when many of these old
Grams suffering for the of the relief which
would be afforded them by the passage of this bill lie
dd not despair of its final passage however When he
could arouse the sumbering intellect of the nation to
due appreciation of the need of these patriots he had no
fears that members of Congress would be found yo-
ting against it, He not opposed to members offering
amendments On the contrary, he glad to have the
would prefer that all the amendments should from
other honorable gentlemen
The bill was then read by sections for the purpose of
amendment The first section having been reported
Mr. MARSHALL, of Kentucky, moved to increase the
time necessary to entite these soldiers to pensions to
three months
Mr. NICHOLS, of Ohio, opposed the am, n,lment, and
stated that he was opposed to the policy of the govern
ment Increasing the number of its pensioners la his dis
ct ninety three out of nneysx who had received pen
sons from government in better circumstances then
and now than himself One of his colleagues had petit
ton to present the majority of the sgners which were
worth each from five to twenty five thousand dollars
Mr. BURNETT, of Kentucky, condemned the remarks
made by Mr.. NICHOLS. The system of pensions was
inauguraed in an early period of history by the men
VINO established the government and he held that there
was no expedient better calculate to raise troops in time
of than that those who fought battles OF the
try might learn the fact that when in old age ey be-
came helpless and unable to provide the necessares Of
life they would b. cared for by the government Besides
the large minority of those who would DO benefited by
this bill were poor and in need Of it,
Messrs BLISS MASON, and HUGHES also spoke in
favor of the bill
Mr.. RlIGIIE of Pennsylvania said that if they passed
this bill before many years it would not be safe the
government to carry on any at all.
Mr.. SMITH, OF Tennessee, moved to amend the amend
ment of Mr. MARSHALL by reducing the time to ten days
He preferred pension list to standing army an was
willing and desired to take of the old men who in
fighting the battles Of the country stopped bullets at the
rate of eight dollars month
The question being taken on Mr.. SMITn's amendment
it was agreed to--ayes 30, noes A. i
The question was then taken on the amendment of
Mr. MARSHALL, as amended aud it was agreed to-ayes
~ noes not counted.
Mr. COBB, OF Alabama, next moved to amend the first
section so as TO include those who had served in the Flor
ida and Creek Indian wtrs of 1887 and 1888 and the
Mexican war OF 1876 .si7, aud ls48 pending which
On motion of Mr. KELSEY, of New York, the commit,
lee rose and reported the bill to the House without ac-
ton. .......
And then the House adjourned.