Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-28
Senate.

bill, to organize coast guard and life saving
service.
Senator Sargent said the reports of the life
saving service, emanating from the treasury
department, showed disgraceful state of inef-
fciency in the service. 1t was well known that
in some instances where officers and men of
the life saving service were in sight of vessels
needing relief, they were afraid to man the t
boats, and other persons had come forward and
performed the service. Persons were appointed
account of their fitness for the work. He
thought sailors accustomed to the sea and used |
to military discipline, would improve the ser
vice.
Senator Allison introduced bill to provide
for the entry of lands by Indians under the
homestead law. Referred.
Senator Mackey introduced bill to establish |
the rank OF Senior General of the United States
army. Referred
Senator Dawes, from the committee on public |
buildings and grounds, reported bill for con-
tinuing the work of improving the capitol |
grounds and asked for its present consideration. |
II led to some discussion, during which Senator
Conkling spoke of the repeated changes made
in improving the capitol grounds and said if
the late board of public works in Washington |
that stalking horse for vituperation,
which he had heard denounced often, had done
what he had seen done in the vicinity of this
building, his impression was the country wonld
not be big enough to hold the noise.
After Senator Conklin's remarks on improve
ment of the capitol grounds, the bill passed.
The chair laid before the Senate the House
bill to amend section 4,778 of the revised stat
utes, which provides that whenever there shall
be a vacancy in the Office of the pension agent
by death, resignation, or delay in qualifying
after appointment, the President may, if he
deems it necessary, appoint some person to
perform the duties Of the pension agent for
period not to exceed sixty days or until the
vacancy can be filled in the regular way.
In explanation, Senator ingalls, said the pen
sion agency at New York city became vacant
by the resignation of Col. Howe. Gen. Coster
has been appointed, but failed to give the re-
quired bond of s25O,00O. The payment of
pensions at New York should begin on Mon
day next, and the object of the bin to
| allow temporary appointment for the pay
ments to be made then.
Senators Conkling and Edmunds objected to
the passage of the bill on the ground that it
| would virtually place in the hands of the
President the appointment of pension agents
throughout the country, without the advice
and consent of the Senate. After some discus
sion the bill was laid aside for the present, and
consideration was then resumed, of the unfin-
ished business, the bill to authorize long
bond for investment of savings.
| Senator Wallace explained the provisions of
| the bill at length. He said there are two pur-
| poses in the bill. one to provide fund for the
I investment of earnings of the poorer classes
| The argument for this is the insolvency of saw
ings banks so recent and SO widespread. The
| remedy seems in wise use of our public debt
! as a fund for that purpose. The other purpose
is to initiate policy of diffusion of the public
debt among our own people by popular loan
at a low rate of interest, to run 50 years, to
ease the burden of our taxation and keep our
| OF hon,
dictates and appeals to our own people It
| looks beyond national banks and funds, an
anchor for the public faith with the people
themselves.
1 Pending discussion the bill was laid aside
temporarily, and the Senate resumed consider
alton of the bill considered in the morning in
regard to the payment of pensions in New York
city.
Senator Ingalls, said to obviate the objections
made by the Senator from Vermont (Edmunds
and others ne offered d. the following as substi
tute for the House bill: That whenever, during
a session of the Senate, vacancy shall Occur
in the office of pension agent by reason of thu
resignation, DEATH removal, or expiration O.
the term of Office. or whenever such agent, law
fully appointed, shall have failed to qualif.
4 and assume the duties of such office. the Presi
dent may: when the public exigency require
it, designate any officer of the United States t.
= perform the duties of said Office but such des
ignation shall not be made for longer thai
a twenty days. Any such officer designated
n shall give bond if required by the President
; for the faithful discharge of said duties. TIL
. foregoing provisions shall apply to any vacan
! cies now existing.
e Senator Sargent submitted the following a
: an amendment:
8 And the secretary of the interior shall allo,
in the settlement of the accounts of such Officer
t the necessary expenses incurred by him in th
discharge of his duties under this act.
: After somewhat lengthy discussion as to tn
d legal bearings Of the proposed measure Seer
tary Ingalls, said he understood the animus
{, all this discussion. Had he been resident G
e the United States, and a pension agent ha
l. failed to give bonds for period of three week
he would have concluded that he could not 81,
n the bond and would have nominated son
d other person for the position.
" Senator Blaine said this bill was an attem]
to cover up, by general statute, specit
failure of officer to put in his bond when l
had every opportunity to do SO. It was to gi,
him longer time to fill his bonds. No SUI
case had ever occurred before when pensic
y agent was ready to perform his duty.
es Senator Ingalls, said there was a case in Ne
1e Orleans where the pension agent in the mid
ts of payment of pensions.
.el Senator Blaine-How were the pensions pa
= then?
TO Senator Ingalls, do not know.
p Senator Blaine-Then the Senator on
knows half of the case.
IL Senator Ingalls-That is more than y,
th know.
IT. Senator Blaine continuing his remarks So
d. there were more than twenty Senators on tn
D. floor who could name men in the city, of eth
party, who could have given the required boz
to within twenty-four hours. There was pc
D sion agent appointed under the highest possit
es standard of civil service reform, who had be
of walking around New York city for months al
Mt could not give his bond. Now the Senat
Nv from Kansas came in with bill for his reli,
He objected to any special legislation to 81
On an officer more time to file his bond.
er Senator Herman appealed to the Senators
pass the bill He did not want these poor pc
sioners to go hungry.
1T Senator Blaine-On whose steps would tn
responsibility lie?
~ Senator Sherman-Not on mine.
- Senator Hoar spoke in favor of passing t
N. bill, and argued that it the only thing tt
me could be done, as a new pension agent cor
lea not be appointed, confirmed, and give bon
dy before Monday next.
81 Senator Eaton said the President of
YES United States had duty to perform. He cou
name dozen men of New York city, Den
Gratis and Republicans, who could have Civ
lis bonds in the sum Of $3.50, OOO in an hour. If
President of the United States would do
ex- duty the Senate would do its duty, and a p
sion agent could be nominated and confirm
On before the end of the present week.
nee Senator Withers said, 4 the President
nd been castigated enough, he hoped the Sen
I'M. would now pass the bill, as he desired to HI
ac- the pensioners paid next week, when their p
ms, sions became due.
Senator Conkling said nothing could be m