Daily globe., 1882-07-16
Tne Senase.

Ine Senase.
WAsHIEGToG, July 15-Seuaior Anthony
introduced bill repeating SO much of the
army appropriation bill as provides for the
retirement of Gen. Sherman and LieHt. Gen.
Sheridan. Referred.
Senator Windsm offered a resolution calling
on the president for copies of the declaration
of Edward Lytton, Bulwer and Clayton upon
the ratification of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty,
and for any other documents referred to the
instructions of Secretary Frelinghuysen to
Minister Lowell, dated the Sth of May, 1882.
Adopted.
On motion of Senator Van WICK the reso.
luton was taken up directing the secretary of
the interior to withhold action on the pay
meat of double pension to Gen. Ward B.
Burnett until the president shall act upon the
bill passed yesterday, which contains pro-
vision prohibiting the payment of double pen
sious.
Senator's VOORHEES, and Blaine opposed the
resolution, which was advocated by Senator's
Van Wyck and Groome.
Senator Williams thought It was al extra
ordinary proceeding for legislative body to
serve an Injunction on gallant old soldier in
order to restrain him from collecting his just
dues from the government. and he opposed
the resolution. Pending further discussion
the morning. hour expired and the matter
went over.
The senate then proceeded TO the considera-
ton of the pension appropriation bill, the in
ternal revenue bill having been laid aside in
formally on point of order raised by Senator
Plumb. The committee amendment directing
the secretary of the interior TO annually trans
NIT to congress list of all persons or the
rolls was struck from the bill.
Senator Beck offered an amendment direct
ing the commissioner of pensions once IL each
year to cause list of all pensioners and ap-
plicants !or pensions, for each county in the
United States, to be made out and published in
at least one ne wspaper in such county. He
contended that the adoption Of the amendment
would prevent to great measure the perpetra-
tio2 of fraud on the pension office. No honest
soldier would object TO his name being pub
lished in q list of men who had fought for their
country in its hour of need. The objection
would only come from men who were disho1-
estly receiving pensions, and he iDstanced as
such man, citizen of Louisville, who had
been soldier, but who had lost his arm in
disrepUtable brawl, and was now receiving a
pension for that disability. No honest pen
sioner could be hurt by MS amendment.
Every dishonest pensioner would, and every
dishonest agent would fight 1t to death.
From information which he was possessed of
he could assert that no set of men would ue
SO earnest and JEALOUS IN giving information
TO the commissioner, or to an agent he might
send, as the very best soldiers who fought in
the federal army.
Senator Plumb opposed the amendment and
contended that the pension roll on the whole
represented men who were entitled to pen
sions. He did not deny there were some
frauds under the pension laws, but he asserted
it was practically impossible to construct
pension list without frauds creeping in. The
amendment by the gentleman from Kentucky
sought to say to every pensiOner:
'1Prlma facie you are frauds, and your
neighbors are invited to come up
ard say what they think about you."
It focused all eyes on the poor pensioner and
laid him open unless he publicly paraded his
wounds and bodily infrmities to the ignorant
declarations and attacks of his neighbors. The
war had cost 5000, 100000. 1t had been a big
job, and, thank God, it had been we'll done, ard
if it costs sc, 600, 600 900 more to support
the men who had carried the flag it would be
money well spent, and it would be money well
spent as long as one of these veterans re-
mained to drag his emaciated body through
the country which he helped to keep intact
Senator Beck agreed in this view, but
stated that he would always oppose foisting
upon the pension rolls OF men who claimed to
have been soldiers but who had never served
in the army or navy.
Senator Logan opposed the amendment and
claimed that the bill, as reported from the
committee on appropriations, threw 8 SAFE
guard around the pension Office. he disliled
this annual attack upon the pension list. and
| these charges of fraud. II the gentleman
| from Kentucky knew of any fraudulent
| pensionsIoner it was his duty to inform
| the commissioner of pensions of the fact.
Before he Nogan) would make raid upon
| men, and charge them with fraud, and perjury,
| and crime, he would name the men. He had been
willing that list Of pensioners should be
| annually transmitted 10 congress, but he
could see no necessity for having that list
| published in the newspapers and $500,00O paid
therefor.
Mr.. Platt also opposed the amendme Mt, and
In the course of his remarks conte nded tha,
fraud was not practiced upon the pension bu
reau to any such extent as had been charged
but the bureau was as free from fraud as any
| other bureau of the government.
The amendment was finally ruled out on
| point of order raised by Senator Anthony and
! the bill then passed.
On motion of Senator Nc MILAN the senate
| insisted upon its amendments of the river anl
harbor appropriation bill. A conference com
mittee was ordered, consisting of Senators
Mcmillan, Jones. IN. " and Ransom.
The senate at 4:50 adj ourned until Monday