Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-02-28
FORTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
Senate.
TELLER's REPORT.

Senate.
TELLERs REPORT.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Ex-senator Teller, from
the special committee to inquire into the al
legged violation of the constitutional lights of
citizens during the late elections submitted a
report of the majority, and said the minority
reserved the right to submit report. Ordered
printed.
Senator Teller also submitted resolution
continuing until the next session, and author
izing the committee to sit during recess. OBJ
jected to by Senator Bayard, aud laid aside.
ARREARS OF PENSIONS.
Senator Morrill,, from the committee on
finance, reported an amendment to the House
bill making an appropriation to pay arrears of
pensions. In provides that in order to provide
for the prompt payment of arrears of pensions,
the secretary of the treasury shall dispose of,
at not less than par. 4 per cent. bonds not ex-
ceeding $4,000, 900, of the deposit provided
for in the act of February 26, 1879, the pro-
ceeds of the sale of such bonds to be applied
exclusively to the payment of claims for ar
rears of pensions arising under the act of JAM
nary Is, 1879. Referred.
Senator Dawes, from the committee on
finance, reported amendment to the bill
making an appropriation for payment of az
rears of pensions 50 as to provide that in no
case shall arrears of pensions be allowed and
paid from time prior to the date of actual
disability. Referred.
COURTS IN KANSAS.
Senator Mcdonald called up House bill to
provide for holding district and circuit courts
of the United States at Fort Scott, Kansas
Passed.
CANDIDATES FOR WINDOWS COLONY.
Senator Conover presented a petition of 1856
IF a.
complaining that they are not protected in
their rights by the laws Of Florida. Referred.
By vote of yeas %, nays Al, the Senate re-
fused to take up the Geneva award bill, and
took up the House bill making an appropria-
ton for payment of arrears of pensions.
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
Before disposing of the bill, the Senate went
into executive session.
RIVER AND HARBoR BILL.
When the doors were reopened, Senator Spen-
Ger, from the committee on commerce, reported
the river and harbor appropriation bill with
amendments. Placed on the calendar.
CENSUS.
The census bill as amended by the House was
referred to the census committee.
ARREARS OF PENSIONS.
The Senate then resumed consideration of the
bill making appropriation for payment of
arrears of pensions. The amendments pro-
posed by the committee on appropriations pro-
viding that pension agents shall receive for
their services IN paying arrears. 80 cents for
each payment, and apnropriating $4,000 to
meet such expenses, and striking out of the
House bill the clause providing that the act
granting arrears of pensions shall extend to
pensions granted by the special act of Con-
gress, were agreed to.
Senator Dawes hrnitfeH amandmont
ported by him from the committee finance.
this morning, providing that in no case shall
arrears of pensions be allowed and paid from
time prior to the date of actual disability.
Agreed to.
Senator Ingalls, submitted an amendment
from the committee on pensions. 1t provides
for dividing the States and Territories into
districts, not to exceed seventy-six in number.
provides for commission to attend each of
said districts at least once year, and assign
a pension surgeon and pension clerk to make
medical and surgical examinations, and to
take testimony in pension cases. 1t further
provides for the appointment of such pension
surgeons and clerks by the secretary of the in
terror and examination of pensioners, with a
view to preventing frauds on the pension bu-
reau.
Senator Ingalls, in explanation of the amend
ment, said it was in the direction of reforma-
ton. 1t had been before the Senate several
years. If the system of examining pensioners
and applicants be adopted, as proposed by this
amendment, it thought frauds could be
corrected and much money saved.
Senator Edmunds raised the point of ORDER
that this was new legislation on a general ap-
preparation bill.
The chair, Senator Hoar decided that this
was not a general appropriation bill.
Senator Edmunds did not think it was wise
for the Senate to act upon this matter with
haste. as it made great changes in the pension
laws.
After debate upon Senator Edmunds' point
of order, the chair submitted the question to
the Senate, and it was decided that this was
not general appropriation bill and the amend
ment was in order.
Senator Voorhees, did not believe this bill
would accomplish all claimed for it. 1t con-
templated a radical change in the pension bu-
reau, instead of organizing a corps of exam
liners outside. He preferred reorganization of
the bureau inside.
SUNDRY CIVIL BILL.
Pending discussion. the bill was laid aside
temporarily, and Senator Window, from the
committee appropriations reported with
amendments the sundry civil appropriation
bill. Placed on the calendar.
IN 1IEMoRIAM.
Senator Withers called up the House resolu
tions in memory of the late Beverly B.
Douglas. Suitable remarks upon the life and
character of the deceased were made by Senators
Withers, Thurman, Hereford and Ransom, and
the Senate, a further mark Of respect to the
memory of the deceased, adjourned.