The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-01
THE CONGRESS.
4 PUOTRACTED DISCUSSION or THE
PENSION ARREARS BILL IN
THE SENATE.

~rNe Braxe;ian subsidy Defeated TN the
0uselMinister seward NJ the bar
MIS- Case Referred To the s1u& iciary
COmwittee.
THT SENATE.
Mr.. Corbin recites his efforts to get his seat
comments upon the course Of certain Sena-
tors and announces Withdrawal from the
contest
The arrears Of pensions blu was taken up
and long discussion ensued.
Mr.. Thurman endeavored to get the Senate
30 consider Senate bill No. fs70, "hn act to
better regulate United States District Courts
In Louisiana, but failed.
At ~ 80 the arrears OF pensions bill came
up for consideration. Mr.. Gordon thought
there wasn't time enough properly to con-
slider this ameadment, which upset the pres
ent practice and made large additions to the
clerical force
Mr.. Withers advocated the measure, stating
that the pension cases are steadily falling be-
hind anil additional clerks must be given.
Mr.. Voorhees, thought the measure, while
well advised IN the interest of the govern
ment, not well considered In the interest OF
the pensioners. 1t gave great opportunity
for abuse. Congress had better address itself
to improving and perfecting the present ma
chinery than to substituting what was new
Messrs. Ingalls, and Kirkwood thought
something should be done to- DO away with
the extensive frauds now practiced, and the
amendment OF the committee was adopted
for that purpose.
Mr.. Thurman severely criticised the pro-
visions of Mr.. ingalls, amendments.
Mr.. Chandler said that while he was Secre-
tary OF the Interior he had asked an appro-
J priation of 100000 at least for sending sur
geons from one section to another to make
Investigations. The surgeon who examined
the pensioner was In sympathy with him.
The witnesses were deeply Interested In him,
and when 1t became q question to decide be-
tween the rich government and the poor pen
, sioner the government always went to the
wall. While this might not be perfect bill
1t was a great advance on present legislation.
!. Mr.: Shields said the bill was a shame and a
Faud. and the man who prepared 1t should
be presented with leather medal, and he
would call upon the pensioners OF the country
Y to present him with one. 1t was a fine species
Of legislation which, to prevent fraud, made
1t impossible for an honest man TO get his
rights. he did not think the framer com
pretended the scope OF the work or the in
. Justice of the measure.
A general discussion OF the bill continued
till 8 80, when M r. Kirkwood moved to modify
the limitation OF the presentation Of an appli-
3, Cation for pension to July |, 1880, instead OF
the first OF January. Agreed to.
Mr.. Oglesby moved to further extend the
time to July 4 1885, which proposition was
Mr.. Edmunds said he wished to deny for
the pensioners OF Vermont that three was
twenty, fifteen, ten or any such percentage of
fraud as that announced here.
The amendment of Mr.. Ingalls,, relating to
the administration of the pension business,
and other amendments limiting the time for
filing applications for pensions to July ], 1880,
and putting the commencement OF the pen
sion at death or date Of discharge, were
Mr.. Morrill, offered an amendment provid-
ing for the sale OF SIS, ,000, 600 bends to meet
the deficit made by this bill.
Mr.. Voolh 'es offered an amendment for the
reissue of $ls 00O, 900 legal tender notes to pay
these pensions.
These propositions brought ON discussion
OF the financial policy and the egpedency OF
incorporating 1t here, that was participated In
bySenators on both sides.
At As p. m. the Senate took a recess until
4, and will probably sit all night.
EVENING SESSION.
Mr.. Beck offered an amendment, providing
Tor suspending until July /, 1851, all laws
providing for the sinking fund, and applying
the surplus revenue In the treasury, after
pension arrearages. Lost. Ayes 96, nays 81.
Mr.. MorrilPs amendment for the issue OF
bonds was lost. Yeas 10, nays, Al.
TheSenate, by 38 yeas to 20 nays, passed
the arrears of pensions bill without further
amendment.
Mr.. Shields offered an amendment that all
laws relating to pensions be applied to the
surviving soldiers and widows and orphans
OF the war of 1912 and that with Mexico, |
which Mr.. Window moved to lay on the tab,
yeas 16, nays 46.
The bill was then reported by its title and |
passed-yeas 38, nays 30.
Mr.. Shields amendment, it Is said will give |
pensions to every living soldier of tha Mex
lean and the Indian wars prior to 1856. regu-
lated like those of the civil war, and will In |
clude j effersoR Davis and many other noted |
Conederates. Many voted upon it without
understanding dts provisi ons and others nj
(ton cnliaitnfinn ha foil l.
Yeas - Messrs. BaiIy, Be k, Burnside,
Cameron of Pennsylvania Cockrel, Coke
Conover, Dennis, Dorsey, Ferry, Garland
oof Florfia, hellogg McCreery, Mcdonald,
Mcpherson, Matthews, Maxey Merrimon.
Mitchell, Morgan, Peddock, Patterson, Ran
som, Saunders, Shields, Spencer, Thurman,
,n,osoorhees, Wallace, White, Window and
Withers.
The bill was read in committee of the whole. /
Sand the amendments with sundry reSerya- I
HONS, were acted on as reached A numo1r
Gf appropriations for the construction OF pub- |
ncbuildings, lighthouses, etc. were Increased
from sl20, 900 to Sl75,00s The Eouse pro- |
vision repeating the statutes authorizing the
exchange of coin certificates for bullion de-
posted at the mints was stiuck out.
:, M. Edmunds raised the point OF ofder tnat
the amendment OF the comm ttee, rsopenlng
i lor further adjudication accounts between the
Sttates n and general government groWa1g out
of the war of 1912, was general legislation
Upon the general appropriation bill.
Inc Senate, by vote OF q yeas to 81 Eays,
ue1oed taat 1t was not In order.
THE HOUSE.
After an hours dispute over the order Of
BUSINESS, the House took up the postofi1ee
appropriation bill. ALI the Senate amend
Mase,nts nas,n were n0u- -concurred In except the Bra
nnLan subsidy and the classification OF mail
allowed 'A sNe'0 ''-- % i-o'
Inc lext contested point in the bill was the