Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-02-24

of the st. Louis custom house and post office, and
appropriating $4,000 therefor. Passed.
Mr.. Leavenworth Of N. Y, introduced bill to
increase the pension of the widow Of Major Gen.
Edwin Sumner. Referred.
MIR: Ballou of Il. l., introduced Joint resolu-
ton for the presentation Of medal to the widow
of W. H. Nash, of the Metis. Passed.
MIR. Whitehouse of N. Y, offered resolution
declaring that the commercial and manufacturing
interests OF the country seriously depressed,
in consequence of the uncertainty of the future
financial policy OF the government, that it is I'M
wise and inexpedient to legisate in regard to any
radical change in the tariff laws until after the
resumption Of specie payments.
Mr.. Reagan of Texas objected to its considers-
ton, and the resolution went over under the
rule.
Mr.. Morrison Of ILL.,, offered resolution invest
ing the subcommittee of the several committees
charged with investigation, with power to send
for persons and papers, Adopted.
MIR. Fort of ILL.,, from the committee on Terri
tories, reported bill to prevent the useless
slaughter of butfaloes in the territories. After
discussion the bill passed.
On motion of Mr.. Huntoon o. Va, the House
at 2.40 o'clock went into committee OF the whole
on the state of the union, MIR. Blackburn in the
chair, on the bill amending the laws granting PEN
sions to soldiers and sailors of the war Of 1872,
and their widows. 1t directs the Secretary of the
Interior to place on the pension rolls the names of
surviving officers and enlisted and drafted men,
including militia and volunteers of the military
and naval service of the T. S., who served ten
DAYS in that war and were honorably discharged
and the surviving widows of such officers, and the
men; provided the widows were married prior to
1850. The pensions are to be eight dollars per
month. And the act is not to apply to any person
now receiving pension at that rate or over, or to
any person receiving less than eight dollars per
month except for the difference up to eight dol
lars 1t also directs restoration to the pension
rolls of all names stricken therefrom on account
of sympathy with the rebellion, and in case Of
their death, their widows to be entitled to the
pension, and to the arrearage. The subsequent
marriage of the widow is not to prevent her from
receiving the arrearages, and in case there is no
widow the arrearages are to 60 the pensioners
minor children.
Mr.. Hoskns of n. y, moved to amend by Civ
ing pensions to those who served in the war for
FIVE days instead Of ten days. Adopted.
Mr.. Cabell of Va moved to strike from the bill
all that portion which provides TOR returning to
the pension rolls the names of those soldiers
stricken therefrom on account Of sympathy with
the rebellion.
In the course of the discussion, Mr. Hunter
stated that the number Of persons who would be
restored to the pension roll under the bill would
be only $50, and the annual amount of pensions
would be only 1906. The amount of averages
was not exactly known.
Mr.. Caswell of Wis. moved to amend by for
bidding the payment of arrearages.
Mr.. CaswelPs amendment was opposed by Mr..
Harris of Va. and Mr.. Vance Of n. c.. the latter
making an appeal to the libcrality of the House
in regard to these old pensioners.
Mr.. Hale of Me-, remarked that the democratic
side of the House was not exhibiting . spirit of
lberalty in cutting down necessary appropria-
tons, reducing salaries Of officials and turning
out of office hundreds of deserving men and
women. All this was done on the ground of ne
cessity and of economy. lie reminded them that
there had been suspicious and suggestions that
every dollar saved BY this saving policy would be
eaten up by claims of one sort or another coming
from the southern part of the country.
Mr.. Huntoon responded, and reminded Mr..
Hale that when the annual pension appropriation
bill was before the House, no member on the dem
ocratic side manifested any opposition to it, and
he had never supposed any body would raise
question about the crippled pensioners of the war
Of 1872.
Mr.. Banks of Mass, remarked that there was
some reason in Mr.. Hale's suggestion, but still
the necessity of retrenchment was so obvious that
no member could safely refuse to vote for it, but
the question was entirely different, it an obli-
cation; debt on the part of the government.
He thought the exception proposed by Mr. Cas-
well ought not to be made. He had been voting
in the House off and on for ten years to have PEN
sions granted to soldiers of 1912, not as q COM
pensation, but an honorable recognition of their
services. The amendment was further opposed
by Messrs. Hartman of H., Hoge of S. C..
Townsend and Cox of N. Y, and others. With
out disposing of it the committee rose and the
House at ) o'clock adjourned.