New-York tribune., 1882-02-09
THE SENATE AND TUE ARREARS ACT

TELEGRAPH TO The IBlBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, Feb s.-The Senate will probably
declare tomorrow by resolution that the Arrears of
Pension bill ought not to De- repealed To do other
wlsc would he by implication to pass deliberate cen
sure upon its own act. No acquainted with the
currents of opinion here has expected that the Ar
rcars act would he repealed. The mischief for
which it, III part, was responsible was long since
consummated. The horse stolen and members
agree il could do 10 good to lock the empty stable.
Nothing which has been said by the eloquent de-
Tenders of the Arrears bill in the pending debate
has weakened the assertion made in substance by
every journal OF influence in the country, that the
passage of the bill was uncallcd for and unwSe, and
that no attempt was made by the committees of
either House Of Congress or by individual Congress
men TO find out what possibilities i'll the way Of
public expenditure involved.
Probably no Senator who attempts to Justify the
bill now would venture to dispute the asser-
tion that, had the truth been known when the
measure was under discussion, as it is known now,
il would Mt have commanded a dozen votes. Or
the statement may doubtless be made still stronger
without the risk of denial, had as much been known
when the bill was under discussion VAS disc0v
cred within month after that time, the bill would
rot have been passed The changes have been rlng
upon the fact that pensions were promised TO sol
ders when they were enlisted in case they were dis
abled in the service, and that the pensions were.
therefore debts due 10 the creditors Of the Govern
ment. This Is fact which must be admitted
by everyone, but it requires a singular misappli-
cation of it to tit 1T to the principle of
the Arrears of Pensions bill The first pension act
for the Rebellion, promised volunteers the same
benefits in the way Of pensions as were conferred
upon regular Army soldiers On July II, lSG2,
an act was approved, under wh.h by far the
prcater number OF cnlistments were made, extend
iHgto disabled soldiers pension dating from their
discharge if their claims were fled within one year
OF from the day of fling If more than one year
elapsed. Here. then, was a statute Of limitations.
which formed essential part OF the OTlgual con-
tract. Congress, by successive acts of generosity,
extended the time within which claims might be
filed, and arrears might accrue upon adjudication.
The Arrears of Pensions hll. was the last Of these
acts and it was an act Of generosity, pure and
simple. oH the part OF the Government.
The most blauewOrthy act Iu connection with the
bill was one Of OmissiOn-One 80 hagraut that il
justilos all The ccusare which las been passed upon
Congress. II consisted IN the persistent refusal at
the behest Of Washington pension claim agents, TO
make provision against fraud, after having opened
tic gates TO IL, and, indeed offered premium for IT.
Long before the Arrears bill was formulated most
exc tent measure Of reorganization Of the Pension
OiAcc was labori0usly worked out by the Senate
Pensions Committee 1t stood upon the Senate
calendar for year 1t had the unanimous and
hearty support OF every member of the Pension
Committee, but all their efforts TO get hearing for
ii by the Senate were InenectnaI II was pushed
aside until after the Arrears bill was passed, and
1tN, "cths altcrWaId was ttScn up and DE- fcatcd.
Had 1t become law year earlier, probably the
Arrears bill would have been shorn Of half It's
powers of mischief.
Upon this question of fraud much misnfOrmatOn
Is current. The assertion that half the pensions
granted under the Arrears act are fraudulent, can