National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-01-17

TO allow the Commissioner Of Pensions TO construe
the law Would he allow the Secretary OF inc
Treasury or the Attoncy-Geucral TO desc?
Mr. VoopHErs. As to The Secretary Of the Treas
ury. would not allow him to construo any law
at all
The amendment of Mr. IIoar was relectcd--yeos
20; nays, -.
4 Mr.. stvIsBrRy submitted nm amendment as fol-
lows: Provided that the proof of disability upon
which any pension has already been granted shall
not be conclusive of the right of any claimant to
the arrears of pensions under this BILL but the
question OF disability shall be open to recNamina-
ton by the Commissioner of Pensions, who may IN
hs discretion require additional or further proof
Rejected.
Mr. MORRILL, submitted an am ,ndmcnt. as an adj.
diuonal section, authorizing the Commissioners OF
Pensions to employ a. many additional clerks MS
may be necessary, not exceeding ffly to execute
me provisions OF the act, and oppropriatng sOOJO
TO pay such clerks,
MIR. MORRILL, said any one who knew the condl.
ton Of the Pension Bureau knew that this bill
would be imperative with the present force as the
business of that Bureau was now two years behind
Mr.. INGALLS, said it was true the business of the
bureau was very much behind and instead Of IN.
should be increased to the extent Of 200 IN the Pen
sion Onlce and the pension branch of the surgeon
Generals Office. Al the proper time he would co
operate with the senator from Vermont (Nlr Nor
rllll in securing such Increase.
The bill having been considered in Committee OF
the Whole and reported 10 the Senate, the Vice
President announced that the amendment Of Mr.
Morrill, could not be considered except 10y unan-
imous consent, and 1t was objected TO by Mr.
Herman.
Mr.. SALISBURY thought the bill was one ofdoubt
ful propriety ut least. He would do no injustice
TO the soldiers, but the Government had been lib
cin to It's soldiers, and this bill proposed to give
them mere grutuity thirteen years after the close
OF the war. Every person entitled to pension had
received one. While the Government was gcner
Gus to tine soldier it should be just TO the people
who had been taxed beyond the people of any
other country on the face Of the earth. Should
Congress keep OH adding to their burdens, they
would become poorer and poorer He thought the
Guvcrnment had provided for the soldier and he
now desired to sec some legislation to relieve the
burdens of the people.
Mr.. KEENAN, SAID If he thought this bill was
grntuity he would vote against IL. He regarded II
rs lust obligation He admitted that there was
hcnvy taxation and lie would join his friend Mr..
salisbury In securing economy. but he would not
strike The trst blow AT The pensioners Of the Gov
erlment There were plenty OF opportunities to
| save millions in other ways.
! The bill was then read third time and passed
yeas A; nays, 4. Those voting i'm the NEGATIVE were
Nessrs. Davis tW Va, Hereford, McCreery, and
| salisbury.
MIR sAtapERs sent to the Clerks desl, and had
! read letter from the Commissioner Of Indian AZ
fairs IN regard to the debate in the senate on the
Indian appropriation BILL to the effect that the Nel
| Pcrccs Indians had been removed in violation ct
| law, The Commissioner states they were removed
in accordance with the provisions of the Indian np
preparation bill for that year.
| The SENATE then resumed consideration Of Che nm.
! inishcd business being the bill to amend the patent
! laws, the pending question being ON the amend
mcnt Of Mr. Matthews to strike out of the commit
tees bill various provisions IN regard to damages
orniringcment patents, andinse in lieu there
| Oft following:
NO account for profits or savings shall III any
! ease he allowed and evidence thereof may be ud
Inittcd as tending TO prove what shall! be deemed {
| reasonable license fec compensation for the in
! iringemcnt"
The vote resuled--ycas, 6; nays. 49, No quorum
/ voting, call Of the Senate was ordered.
Aitcr II quorum responded the Senate, at 3:2l
u Clock-by vote OF yeas, 81 nays, lS-proceedC'
10 the consideration of executive business, al,
when the doors We're rcOpencd House bills to incil
itOto the rounding Of the national debt; to author
lie the issue of certificates of deposit in aid Of thu
rciunding Of the public debt, and House bill Il
make United States notes receivable for duties 81
imports were referred TO the Committee on III
nance.
The Senate then at 1886, took a recess until ~
p. M for the purpose of attending the Henry me
mortal services in the House of Representatives
eght O'clock.