Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-07-17
The SENATE.

WASHINGTON, July Ex-senator Anthony
introduced a bill repeating so much of the
army appropriation bill as provides fer the
retirement of Gen. Sherman and LieGt. Gen.
Sheridan. Referred.
Senator Wind ~ offered 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
ment of double pension to Gen. Ward B.
Burnett until the president shall act upon the
bill passed yesterday, which contains a pro-
vision prohibiting the payment of double pen
sions.
Senators VOORHEES, and Blaine opposed the
resolution, which was advocated by Senator's
Van Wyck and Groome.
Senator Williams thought it was an 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 on the
rolls was struck from the bill.
Senator Beck offered an amendment direct
ing the commissioner Of pensions once in each
year to cause list Of all pensioners and ap-
plicants FOR pensions, for each county In the
United States, to be made out and published IN
at least one newspaper in such county. He
contended that the adoption OF the amendment
would prevent to great measure the perpetra-
tioE of fraud On the pension office. No honest
soldier would object to his name being pub
lished in list of men who had fought for their
country in it's hour of need. The objection
would only come from men who were dlshon-
estly receiving pensions, and he instanced as
such man, a citizen of Louisville, who had
been a soldier, but who had lost his arm in a
disreputable brawl, and was now receiving
pension for that disability. No honest PEN
sioner could be hurt by his 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 &c
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
commended 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 peDsioner:
'tPrima facie you are frauds, and your
neighbors are invited to come up
ard say what they think about you"
1t focused all eyes on the poor pensioner and
laid HIN open unless he publicly paraded his
wounds and bodily infirmities to the ignorant
declarations and attacks of his neighbors. The
war had cost Sc, 600, 000, 600. It had been big
job. and, thank God, it had been well done, and
if it costs $4,000, 100000 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-
manned to drag his emaciated body through
the country which he helped to keep intact.
Senator Beck agreed in this view, but
stated that ne 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
guard around the pension office. He disliked
this annual attack upon the pension list, and
these charges of fraud. If the gentleman
from Kentucky knew of any fraudulent
pensionsloner it was his duty to inform
the commissioner Of pensions of the fact.
Before he Uogan) 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
annu ally transmitted 10 congress, but he
could see no necessity for having that list
published in The newspapers and $500, 600 paid
therefor.
Mr.. Platt also opposed the amendme Mt, and
In the course of his remarks conte nded that
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 Mcmillan the senate
insisted upon its amendments of the river and
harbor appropriation bill. A conference CON-
mittee was ordered, consisting of Senators
Mcmillan, Jones. IN. Y } and Ransom.
The senate at 4:50 adjourned until Monday.