The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-02-28
CONGRESS.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, February q.
THE PENSION BILL.

]
THE PENSION BILL.
Mr.. Teller, from the special committee
10 inquire into the alleged violation OF The
constitutional rights oi citizens during the
late elections, submitted the report ol the
majority, and said the minority reserved
the right 10 submit the report. Ordered
printed.
Mr.. Teller also submitted q resolution
continuing the committee until next ses.
sion, and authorizing 1t TO sit during re.
cess. Objected 10 by Bayard and laid
aside.
AIr. Mouell, from the Committee on Fl.
House bill making an appropriation TO pay
the arrears Of pensions. lT,
II provides that in order to provide for
the prompt payment Of arrears of pension
the Secreiaryof the Treasury shall dispose
OF at not less than par 4 per cent bonds
not exceeding IS, ,0O0, 900, or in lieu thereof
issue the certificates Of deposit provided
for in the act OF February 20, 1879, and
the proceeds Of sale Of such bonds be up.
piled exclusively TO the payment OF claims
for arrears OF pensions arising under the
act Of January 25, 1879. Referred.
Mr. Dawes, from the Committee on
Finance, reported an amendment to the
bill making an appropriation for the pay.
ment Of arrears Of pensions so as 10 pro-
vide that In no case shall arrears OF pen.
sions be allowed and paid from the time
prior to the date oi actual disability. Re.
ierred. ..I
By vote Of % yeas TO Il nays the Sem
AZ SkANRt 30 ali Nhn 81
bill and took up the House bill making an
appropriation Of arrears Of pensions.
Before disposing OF the bill the Senate
went into Executive Session.
When the doors were re-opened Mr..
Spencer, from the Committee on Com.
merce, reported the river and harbor ap.
preparation bill, with amendments. Placed
on the calendar.
The census bill, as amended by the
House, was referred TO the Census Com.
mittee. NH"
Senate resumed consideration OF the
bill making an appropriation for the pay.
ment oil arrears OF pensions. .l1
The amendments proposed by the Com.
mittee on Appropriations, providing that
pension agents shall receive for their ser.
vices in paying the arrears, thirty cents on
each payment and appropriating $4,000
to meet such expense, and striking Out Of
House bill the clause pooviding that the
act granting arreares Of pensions shall ex.
tend TO the pensions granted by special
act OF Congress were agreed.
Mr.. Dawes submitted an amendment
reported by him from the Committee on
Financethis morning, providing that limo
cases shallssthe arrears OF pensions be paid
from q time prior 10 the date OF actual dis
ability. Agreedto
Mr.. Ingalls, submitted an amendment
from the Committee on Pensions. II lto-
yides for dividing States and Territories
into districts, not 10 exceed seventy-six in
number; 1t provides for commission to
attend TO each OF said districts at least
once year and assign pension surgeon
and pension clerk to make medical and
surgical examinations, and to take testi.
mony in pension cases. 1t further pro.
vides for the appointment OF such pen.
sion surgeons and clerks by the Secretary
Of the Interior, and the examination Of
pensioners with view to preventing
frauds on the Pension Bureau.
Mr.. Ingalls,, In explanation OF the
amendment, said It 1t was in the direction
OF reformation. It had been before the
Senate several years. II the system Of ex.
amining pensioners and applicants be
adopted as provided by this amendment,
It was thought that frauds could he detect.
ed and much money saved. .-..
Mr.. Edmunds raised the point OF order
that this was legislation on general ap.
preparation bill.
The Chair (Mr. Hoar) decided that this
was not general appropriation bill.
Mr.. Edmunds said he did not think II
wise for the Senate to act on the matter
with haste, as 1t made great change in
the pension laws.
After debate on Mr.. Edmunds' point Of
order, the Chair submitted the question
to the Senate and 1t was decided that this
was not q general appropriation bill and
the amendment was In order.
Mr.. Voorhees, did not believe that this
bill would accomplish oil claimed for It.
1t contemplated a radical change iu the
pension bureau instead OF organizing
corps Of examiners outside. He preferred
the reorganization OF the bureau inside.
Pending the discussion tho bill was laid
aside temporarily.
Mr. Window, from the Committee on
Appropriations, reported with amended
sundry civil appropriation bill, Placed
on calender.
Mr.. Withers called up House resolution
in memory OF the late Beverly B. Duglass.
Suitable remarks on the life and character
OF the deceased were made by Messrs.
Withers. Thurman, Hereford and Ran.
som, and the Senate as further mark OF
respect 70 memory OF the deceased ss
Adjourned, s-B S4 E
- . HOUSE.
SPEAKER RANDALL vISDIcATEs IIIMsELF-RR-
PUBLTCASs COMPLEMENT HIN.