National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-01-17
FORTY-FlFTH CONGRESS.
Passage of the Pension Arrears by
the Senate.
Tho Bill just as II Came from the House
Mr. WINDOWS immigration Bcsolu-
tion--A Remedy for Local BULLDOG
ing-A New Rcfundng Bill
Passed-AIississippi River
improvements, sc.
SEN.iTE.

Tho Vice President laid before the Senate COM |
municaton from the Secretary of War, inclosing |
the report Of the Chief of the Engineer Corps In re-
gard to surveys ut Linconvle harbor, Me-, Ports. |
mouth harbor, n. H., and other points In New Eng-
land. Referred
Also communication from the Secretary Of War
IN regard to unpaid claims Of citizens of the Terri
tories of Montana and Dakota, end recommending
M appropriation Of $4,000 for that purpose. Re.
fcrred.
Also communication from the Secretary Of
War; nclosing report from the Quarcrmaster
General in regard to Senate bill to repeal the law
prohibiting payment TO land.grant railroads for
the transportation of troops and property of the
United States also letters showing the difficulties
IN dealing with such roads. Tho Qu0rtormas,er.
General recommends the passage Of the bill and
That necessary legislation be had to define the
rights of railroad companies and the Government
ut the present session of Congress- Ordered that II
be printed and lie on the table.
Mr.. WALLACE presented petition of the Pcligi-
Gus Society of Friends OF Pennsylvann, Scw Jcr.
scy and Delaware, protesting against the transfer
ofthe Indian Bureau from the Interior 10 the War
Department Referred
Mr.. MANEY from the Committee on Military AZ
fairs, reported with amendments senate bill max
Ing appropriation to purchase Fort Cmrk, Texas
and Post Roads, reported bill authorizing aud
directing the Postmaster General to adjust the saa
res of certain pOstmasters In accordance with sec
ton OF the act of june 20, 1865. Placed on the
calendar.
Bills were introduced and referred MS follows:
by Mr.. WALLACE; To authorize the Secretary Of
the Treasury and the Commissioner of Internal
Revenue to settle certain claims for successive
taxes enormously paid. Referred to the Commit
BY Mr.. McPnrRsoN: For the relief Of the captors
ofthe ram Albemarle. Referred TO the Committee
on Naval Affairs.
Mr.. ISGAIrs, from the Committee on Pensions,
reported fayorqbly on the bill granting pension
10 Ann NJ. PNuldinp widow of Rear-Admiral Hiram
Paulding. Placed on the calendar.
Also fayoraby on the bill to repeal section i7l7 Of
NE Revised Statutes ~ regard to ruling pension
claims not filed within 1--WE years unless accom-
panied by evidence from the War Department
Placed on the calendar
Mr. BLAINE. from the Committee on Rules, re.
ported iavorably the resolution of Mr.. Thurman to
admit Hon. George Bancroft to the privileges of
the floor of the Senate, and 1t was unanimously
agreed to.
Mr.. EATON. from the Committee Oh Patents re-
ported bill authorizing the Commissioner of Put.
cntS TO extend the letcrs-pOtcnt granted for the
Mckay scwng.nRchne to Helen Frances Nanvie
exccu!rix. Placed on the calendar
Mr. THURMAN, from the Committee on The Judi.
ciNry, reported, with amendment Senatohll To en-
tend the operation of the act of February a. 1870,
to provide for settlements with certain railway
companies for one year. Placed on the calendar
Mr.. WINDoM submitted the foll0wimg
"RcsO,lcd, Tint within view TO the peaceful adjust
meut of all questions relating to Suffrage to the
enccual enforcement Of constitutional and natural
rights, and the promotion of the best Interests of
The whole country, by the elimination of sectional
ism from politics. a committee of seven Senators b.
appointed by the chair and charged with the duty
of inguring aS TO the cXpcdicncy and practicable.
Ivy OF encouraging ana promoting, by all lliSt ana
proper methods the partial migration of coored
persons from those States and Congressional dis
trictS where they are not allowed to freely and
peacefully exercise and enjoy their constitutional
rights as American citizens, into such state rs may
desire to receive them and win protect them In snid
rights or into such Territory or Territories of the
United states rs may be provided for their use and
occupation; and If said committee shall deem such
migration cXpedlcnt and practicable that they re-
port. by bill or otherwise what, in their Judgment
is the most effective method of accomplishing that
Object aud that said committee have leave TO sit
during the recess"
Laid on the table for the present At the request of
Mr. Window, and lie gave notice he would coll It
up soon for the purpose of submitting some re-
marks In regard thereto.
Mr.. DoRsEY submitted Il resolution calling upon
the Secretary of the Treasury for statement Of oil
appropriations and expenditures from the National
Treasury for the purpose OF paying the expenses of
The Indian Department from July ], 1900, to June
80, 1875 Agreed to-
Mr.. INGALLS, said he had given notice on several
occasions heretofore that he would call up the bill
TO grant arrears of pensions so soon as the bill to
amend the patent laws should be disposed Of As
there was n good deal of the morning hour left he
thought the bill might be considered now He
therefore submitted motion to take up that bill,
The bin was reported to the Senate as 1t came
from the House Of Representatives without amend
ment.
Mr.. INGALLS, In explanation of the bill said in
1876 when the measure was pending before the
Senate. he addressed a communication TO the Com.
missioner of Pensions. making inquiry as TO the
amount of money necessary TO make the bill Oper-
alive. The Commissioner replied that up TO the
whom the bill applied, and the amount required
10 pny them arrears would be s9529,I75. In add
ton To the above 5,ll5 widows and dependents
would be entitled to the benefits Of the act rcqur-
ing 49, 53 making total of s3,Il7 100 required
10 make the bill operative. since the date OF this
communication two years had elapsed, aud he (Nlr.
Ingalls, estimated that sj,0OJO0O should be added
TO the above amount
The bill rs il came from the House of Represent
ntives provides that all pensions which have been
or may hereafter be granted. DC, shall common, c
from the date of the death or discharge from said
Mr.. Dorsey submitted an amendment to insert
the word disability after the word death p so as
toread: THE date of the DEATH disability, or dis
Mr. KERSAN said he desired very much to sec this
bill become n law. II did nothing but carry out the
pledges of the Government given to the mon who
went in the army and that was that they should
have pension if disabled and if killed their uni-
voved in the bi he conceded was large, but this
Government was willing and able to pay its lust
obligations. He would prefer TO sec the bill pass
without amendment, so IL would not have to be re-
turned to the House.
Pending discussion the morning hour expired
ana by unanimous consent the unfinished bust
ness being the bill to amend the patent laws, wa,
laid aside informally, that the Senate might con
tinue with the bill granting arrears of pensions
Mr., FERRY favored the amendment of Mr. Dor
scy, and argued that the whole theory of tie pen
sion law was upon ne basis of disability. If q
man incurred a disability during the war aud II
did not develop for thirteen years nllcrward, he
should not be paid pension for the whole thirteen
years, but only from the date of the development
Of the disability, He moved to amend tho amend
mcnto of Mr. Dorsey so MS to make read disability
proved
Aner somcnrthcr discussion, Mr.. IIoar moved t.
modify the pending amendments so as 70 iuscr
the following:
"And that no pension for disability shall be
granted for any period before such disability oc
cured
Mr. INGALLS, opposed the amendment ana said II
was merely an attempt 10 rG-eunct what was nov
the recognized principle of the Pension Bnrcun
The bill contemplated no innovation Of existing
laws.
Mr. BLAINE said Il would be safe to take the bill
as II came from the House Of Representatives
Should any defects be found In IL by the Pension
Bureau Congress could correct them.
Mr. FERRY argued that there was plenty Of time
lett to send the bill back to the House Of Repre-
sentatlves, There was month and half of the
session remaining, and the Senate should not waive
It's right 10 perfect bill
Mr.. MORRILL, said the passage Of this bill would
Impose additional burdens on the Treasury, The
expenses of the Government were greater during
the last six months than they were during Tho
corresponding six months of 1871 The expenses
during the SIX months ending December II 1877
were 9lBOl33lJS3, and for the six months eudiul
December 81, 1875 they were SlIl lG7S7QOs on
ordinary expenses for the last six months exceeded
those Of the corresponding six months of the pTe
NiOus year nearly Sl3O0OO0O, including the amoun
paid under the award OF the Halifax Commission
Should this pension bill he passed there would be
deficit in our revenues this year. Should II be
passed the Senate ought to provide for the Treasur,
issuing bonds TO meet the burden. He (Mr Nor
RID would not propose such an amendment bu
the chairman Of The Committee on Pensions SHOULD