The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-01-17
FORTY-sEyENTR CONGRESS-.
SENATE.


WAsH1NToN, Jan, 16.-Senator Vest
presented petition for the establishments
of competitive examiners for all subordin-
ate officers of the Government.
Senator Logan introduced q bill to pay
Mrs. Lincoln arrears for pension for five
years from the death of her husband, and
the passage of an act granting her pen
sion, the estimated amount to be $4,000,
and asked immediate consideration.
Senator Blair said the Pension Commit
tee was perfecting more comprehensive
bill. which would include this case and
that of Mrs. Garfield. On his suggestion
the bill was referred to that committee.
The House census deficiency bill was
passed.
Senator Vorhees reported from the joint
select committee on the bill authorizing
the construction of building for the Con
eressional library. 1t is substantially the
bill passed by the Senate last year provid-
ing for the purchase of a square east of
| the capitol grounds, and approprlating
81 800 600 to commence the construction
of the building. The present bill increases
! the amount that can be expended for the
purchase of land from 81 100000 to 81,
| 100, 600, and authorizes the commission to
make contracts for the construction of the
building.
@ON
present consideration of the bill granting
arrears Of pension to the widow of Abraham
| Lincoln. He had read a letter from the
surgeons attending the lady, showing her
| 10 be a sufferer from spinal and other
/ troubles, and from cataracts in both eyes
! He said he had statements from persons
| who knew the lady well that her income
| is insufficient to pay for the necessary
| medical and nurse attendance which her
condition required. Her arrearages under
the bill would be at the rate of pension
| of SS, 900 year for three years.
| Senator Ingalls, said his resolution di-
recting inquiry as to what further allow
| ance should be made to Mrs. Lincoln, was
now being considered by the Pension
Committee, to which it was referred, and
he suggested reference of the bill to that
| committee. Senator Beck, of the Pension
| Committee, explained the cases of Mrs.
Garfield and Mrs. Lincoln were now under
consideration, and it was hoped the report
would be made at an early day.
The bill was then referred to the pension
| Committee.
The House census deficiency bill, max
ing an appropriation of $4,000, was
passed Applications for increased com
pensatien by superintendents was not IN
cluded.
l. senator oncTLlau pHis oieS'
statements with an understanding that 6
vote was not to be taken until tomorrow
and that Senator Plumb and others desir
ing to offer amendments were absent, wa
laid ever informally.
Senator Ingalls, resolution declaring TIT
arrears of the pension act should not be re
: peaIed was then discussed.
Senator VOORHEES,, in supporting the reso
Iutipn said the denunciations of the act b,
the press. and particularly by prominen
organizations of all kinds of corporation
of wealth, were made without the slightes
: basis for their support or Justlhcatlon
The repetition of these denunclatlons b.
members of the Senate, had amazed ant
panied him. Replying separately to tn
charges made against the pension arrear
act. Senator VOORHEES, contended that thes
had not been substantiated in one instance
1t had BEEN charged that the bill wa
, passed in the Senate without discussion
and upon some sort of parliamentary con
= pulsion. The records disproved this an
e showed that twenty zone Senators partic
. pated in the debates upon it,
Senator Beck said that in the passage c
: the b;u referred to, both Houses were in
u posed upon by a set of pension claimants
who devised the scheme for there own beI
eft and had it's actual cost been in an
way indicated at the time, Ine Dli Woui
d not have received the support OF any OF I'll
q members who voted for it. he gave q
: outline of the progress of the bill, shown
II had passed the House under the suspel
/ sion of the rules, which cut oil deba
It That measure which passed was not II
8 one recommended by the committee, b'
!. one that was not before the commute
That question was pressed for action upc
$ the eve of adjournment when the membe
were going home for reelection and we
indisposed to vote against proposltie
which upon it's face had only a patriot
o object. Senator Beck asked twenty mi
n utes TO morrow to complete his remark
A and discussion closed for the present
A bill by Senator Cockrell to amend Il
homestead and preemption laws by requl
ing claimants for agricultural entries befo
IS the final proof is submitted to file with Il
r registers of the land office notice of intel
: ton to make proofs, and directing copl
of such notices to be posted in the register
Office for thirty days.
u Senator Cameron, of Pennsylvani
I. spoke twenty minutes upon the gener
e subject of taxation. taking as his text b