The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-02-04
CONGRESSIONAL.
SANATE.
WASHINGTON February 3.

The Vice President announced as the
Conference committee on the bill to
abolish the offices of Admiral and Vice
Admiral, Messrs. Cragin, Wilson and
Stockton.
Mr. Pomeroy, from the committee on
Postofices, reported substitute Tor the
bill providing that the bridge now build
ing at Omaha, Nebraska, may be mort
gagged.
Mr.. Thayer, from the committee on
Military Affairs, reported adversely to
the House joint resolution making the
3Oth of May, Decoration Day. a ma
tional holiday.
Mr.. Williams moved to take up the
resolution for a special committee on
ocean telegraph legislation. A vote
upon the motion WAS prevented by Mr.
Sumner who occupied the floor during
the remainder OF the morning.
Mr.. Williams was not disposed to
allow the Senator from Massachusetts,
to accomplish his purpose by talking
against time, therefore he asked leave
to move to extend the morning hour
until the subject was disposed OF.
Mr.. Sumner objected, and the resolu-
tion went over.
Mr.. Davis moved to postpone for the
present all future orders to take up the
House bill granting pensions TO the
soldiers and sailors of the war OF 1872,
and the widows OF the deceased soldiers
He demanded the yeas and nays. The
motion prevailed and the pension bill
referred to was considered.
Tie question was upon the amend
ment TO strike the clause, making the
payment of pensions conditional upon
the proof by the applicants OF their In,
ability to support themselves Agreed
to-
Mr.. SAWYER moved to grant pensions
also to soldiers OF the war OF 1917,
whose services were specifically recog-
nized by Congress although their con-
secu,ive service may have been less
than three months. Mr. Sawyer said
the amendment applied to some five or
six of the survivors little band hoys
who took part in the battle of Platts-
burg and were honorably mentioned in
General McCooks dispatches and IN a
resolution OF Congress
The amendment was agreed to.
Mr. Vickers moved to give pensions
to all who served three months during
the war instead OF requiring three
months consecutive service. Agreed to.
Mr.. Edmunds said he could see no
equity in the limitation Of pensions OF
those whose service was recent he
desired that all soldiers Of the war OF
1872 should he placed upon equal foot
ing, as the Government should recog-
nize the patriotism and merltorlous SER
vices ef all who served without dlstlnc-
ton.
Mr.. Wilson thought the pension
should be made dependent on the pov,
erty of the pensioner. He would grant
pensions to old soldiers who asked for
them as a means Of keeping out OF the
poor house, but would not pension
upon lhe taxpayers of the country,
a class who were in wealthy and
comfortable circumstances.
Mr.. Thurman differed with Mr.. vii.
son on the ground on which the bill
should stand. Instead Of making it a
pauper bill, as suggested by that Sena-
tor, he would have it regarded as a gen.
erous but just recognition Of public ser
vices.
The pending amendment as modified,
on motion Of Mr.. Thurman, was
then agreed to, the effect being to allow
pensions to all soldiers Of the war of
1872 who had served IA days. The
bill was further amended so as to allow
pensions only to the widows of soldiers
who were married at the time Of the
war Of 1912, and excluding those who
subsequently, married again; also max
ing the time Of service two instead OF
three months. Mr.. Stevens provisions
of the bill extended to the widows OF
revolutionary soldiers.
The bill was then passed. 1t will
now be returned to the house for con-
currence with the Senate amendments.
Adjourned.