The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-02-28
pension agent could not be appointed,
confirmed and give bond before Monday

Democrats and Republicans, who conlt
have given bond in the sum Of $4,000
In an hour. II the President Of the unite'
States would do his duty, the Senat'
would do It's duty, and pension agen
could be nominated and confirmed beior'
the end OF this week.
Mr.. Withers said, as the President hat
been castigated enough, he hoped The
Senate would now pass the bill as he de
sired to have the pensioners paid mex
week, when the pensions became due.
Mr.. Ingalls, said the Senator from New
York, with something Of an extraordi-
nary supercilliusness in his demeanor
remarked that II this was not the Senate
Chamber he would say it was an arrant
humbug to talk about poor pensioners
as an excuse for passing the bill. He
ungalls) would say that II this was moi
The Senate Chamber he should regard
that remark as applied to him as very
offensive and unwarranted. The parti'
atty OF the Senate had confded a trust
by making him chairman Of the Com
mittee on Pensions, and he did not pro
pose 10 betray that trust. The interests
Of the pensioners were to some extent en-.
trusted to him, and he would attend to
them. There were but three days be-
tween now and the 4th Of March, and a
new Pension Agent could not be appoint
ed in that time. In urging this on the
Senate he had acted in the interest Of the
pensioners.
Mr.. Withers said he Mas a member ol
the Committee on Pensions. He had
tried to discharge his duty; and not.
withstauding the sneers Of the Senator
from New York he proposed TO con.
tinue to discharge il. Whether be
(Withers) had rushed with hot haste 10
The relief Of the President was matter
Of too little Importance for the Senate to
bother about. He did not allude TO the
Senator from New York (Conkllng) when
he spoke OF the President having been
castfgated, because the feelings Of that
Senator towards the President were well
known.
The amendment OF Mr.. Sargent was
agreed 10, and the bill read the third
time and passed; yeas, As; nays, s.
Mr.. Edmunds called up the Housebill
to authorize a special term for the Cir
cult Court OF the United States for the
Southern District OF Mississippi, to be
held at Scranton, Jackson county, with
the understanding that it should be con
sidered tomorrow, subject to call for the
regular order being bill to authorize the
long bond which remains as unfinished
business. -
Adjourned.
HOUSE.
The bill authorizing the President to
review the Court Martial proceedings ol
1854 in the case OF Surgeon General
Hammond, and 10 annul the same and
place Dr.. Hammond on the retired list
as Surgeon General, but without giving
him any right to the past, present or iu'
ture pay or allowances, was passed with
out debate.
The Senate bill amending the act pro-
viding for the publication OF the new
edition Of the Devised Statutes, was taken
from the Speakers table and passed.
Mr.. Chittenden offered resolution
directing the Judiciary committee 10 IN
quire whether the Union Pacific Rail
road Company has invested its funds in
stocks, bonds or other evidences OF debt
Of any other corporation, and If so, in
what corporation, and whether the said
Union Pacific Company has violated its
charters by so doing. Referred.
Mr.. Banning, chairman OF the Com
mittee on Military Affairs, reported 0
bill authorizing the Secretary Of War to
sell the following ordnance establish
ments: Wateryille arsenal, New York
Washington arsenal, D. G.; Allegheny ar
senal, Pa; olkesville, Md, and Water
town, arsenals, Miss. Referred.
The bill granting the use Of ammuni-
tion, tents, &C., to the soldiers reunion at
Marietta, Ohio, was passed.
The bill issuing arms and ammunition
to the territory Of Idaho was passed.
The bill pensioning the soldiers OF the
Mexican war was then taken up.
Messrs. Brogden and Davis, OF N. G,
advocated the bill, and the latter denied
that the bill would place the name o.
JEFF Davis on the pension rolls.
Mr.. Scales criticized the speech made
last Monday by Mr.. Joyce and declared
himself rejoiced that such sentiments did
not come from a native born son ol
America.
Mr.. sinnickson opposed the bill, He
favored pensions to invalid soldiers
Tor those were debts OF honor, but to all
others II would be an insult 10 offer eight
dollars month for having fought for
their country. II this bill were 10 pass
he would offer an amendment granting
pensions to all soldiers who fought on the
Union side during the rebellion. so az
to make no discrimination between the
soldiers Of the country.
Mr.. Burchard opposed the bill, not be-
cause men who had been disloyal during
the late war would receive the benefits ol
the bill, but because he did not think that
in the present condition OF the country
Congress should grant pensions 10 per
sons who did not need aid from the gov
ernment. Later on, when those veterans
would be too old 10 support themselves
such a bill might be right, but not now,
Mr.. Townsend, Of New York, opposed
the bill because II would be impossible
for the country TO pay pension claims
The bill would cost s., 900, 900 annually
and the country knew that the revenue
for the coming year was already more
than $7,0OO,00O short Of the necessary
wants OF the Government. Where was
the money to come from. Was whisky
to be taxed any higher in order TO raise
the money TO pay those pensions. Gen
tlemen were told they must not saJ
anything about the rebellion; that the
rebellion had fixed on the country
an enormous debt. But for that Il
would be possible 10 pass this bill
As il was, the country was so poor
that ut least two committees were sitting
up late at night and getting up early In
the morning TO try 10 deprive the brave
officers OF the army Of their means o.
support. This terrible anxiety in the
interest Of economy vanished in a mo
ment when It was possible TO pension !
rebel. He did not undertake to say thai
the majority Of the veterans OF the Mex
lean war had become rebels, but there
was limberness and soitness on thl
other side Of the House toward the sol
diers who had fought for their country
which was very suspicioua-very. Th,
bill was blow calculated 10 strike q