The National tribune., 1883-12-13
FRIENDS AND FOES.
Senator ingalls, and His Eloquent Sup
port Of the Arrears Bill.

Senator ingalls, ana his Eloquent Dup
port Of the Arrears Bill.
H.
Senator INGALLS,. of Kansas. has from the be-
ginning of his public service been the active
friend Of the soldier. lie likes to uncover
sham When, two years ago, there was howl
in concert from theNew York press against the
pension arrears act, and the matter had gone so
far that it toak a brave man in Congress to
defend the measure, he boldly Haunted red
flag in the face of The bull by resolution de-
claring that the law ought not to be repealed.
with his incisige rigor of oratory, relentless,
ornate, and, like that OF Rufus Choate, CO.
extensive in vocabulary with the language,
Senator ingalls, made that discussion the most
sprigh.ly Of the Forty seventh Congress.
lie has introduced bill this session to abol-
ish the Limitation clause in the old arrears
act. A representative Of THE NATIONAL
TRIBuNE called npon hiia yesterday, and a
discussion OF the whole subject ensued, which
viii be found interesting TO the veterans OF the
late war.
- il seems that you have introduced new
arrears bin" remarked the Senator's visitor.
s Yes he replied; !" made a pledge to do
Sc at the annual Reunicn Of the Grand Army
of the Rcpulsiic ut Leayenworth in October,
and in pursuance Of that promise have intro
duecd the following bin, which appears IS
Senate bill, No j, for the FoTty-eighth Con
ggcss. Here it is:
THE BILL.
A bin to amend section two Of act making
appropriations Tor tie payment OF the arrears OF
pensions granted by act OF Congress approved
january 5wCny-iiith, eighteen buncred ana sew
xntv-nisie. and for other purposes. approved
March third eighteen hundred and seventy nine.
Bet enacted bb Tho Senate and House Of Represent
aires Of The United States ~ 8lileTtcG az Congress
assembled That section two Of the ae5 OF March
third eighteen hundred and seventy -ane, chapter
one hundred and eighty seven entitled An act
making appropriations for the payment OF the
arrears Of pensions granted by act 81 Congress APP
proved January tNcnty-tiftls, eighteen hundred
and seventy nine, and for other purposes, be, and
the same hereby is, amended 50 as 10 read rs foi-
SIC .. That all pensions which have been or
which may hereafter be granted In consequence OF
death occurring from q ceuse witch originated ~
Tie service since the fourth day OF March eighteen
hundred and siEty-one. or in consequence OF
wounds injuries received or disease contracted
DISCHARGE OF the person whose account the claim
has been is hereafter granted, II the disability
occurred prior 10 discharge, and j such disability
occurred Hitef the discharge then rom the eee OF
actual disability, from tie termination OF the
right of the party having prior title 10 such pen
son and in the nsideration OF any and all claims
for pensions In consequence Ct death from or for
disability resulting from disease contracted IN the
service during the late civil war, the person on
whose account the said pension i claimed shall be
conciusireiy presumed to have been sound and free
from disease al the slate Of entering the service
DO you expect TO be met by vigorous oppo-
sition.n YVES asked.
There VIII be the inclination to fight,
but i believe the courage viii be wanting" he
responded THE policy OF the opposition
will be procrastination, interposition Of obsta-
cles and arguments based upon the excessive
demands Il viii make upon the Treasury
rather than direct opposition TO the measure
Oh its merits"
Do you expect action upon the bill this
session."
II do, and propose to move in the
matter ct ia early day. ] have already called
the attention of those who viii probably be
members Of the Committee on Pensions TO It.
I VIII spare 10 effort TO get action upon the
subject At the earliest opportunity"
Bave you made any estimate as TO the cost
Of your bill, provided it shall become law ?
JUsTTcE, 10 MATTER WHAT IT COSTS.
81 have not" replied the Senator; "I dc
mot regard il as en- element in the case j do
not care whether il costs one million OF one
thousand million; / am pushing this matter
simply upon It's abstract justice. There are two
theories prevalent in this country in regard tC
pensions. One is that they are an act of grace
that they are charities. that the pensioners are
mendicaats asking for aims and that whatever
is granted TO them is given as plate Of broken
meat j. set on the kitchen table before tramp
OF Is lalf-g HawEd boae is thrown at a starry.
ing dog and il is from that class that all this
uprnar about frauds and wrongs and enormous
expenditures has proceeded. ] am moi of thai
school. / believe that pensions are paid il
pursuance Of a solemn and binding obligation
thai was part OF the original contract for mill
taTy service. as much as the pay Of the soldier
or his clothing, or his equipments or any Other
pcrtiOn OF the stipulation under which hs
entered the military CT naval forces Of thu
Government. ] believe further that he is en-
titled to the payment Of that pension from th,
time when the disability was incurred. whether
he sees fit TO call for il IN one year or in fiy,
years CT in ten years Just allow me to cal
your attention 10 the original statute unde
which volunteers were invited to defend th'
Constitution, and il viii be observed how dis
timely my proposition is supported. TIL,
section is short and 10 the point. i viii reaf
it. Its language is as follows:
Sic G. znd Je Il further enacted That any voIur,
tcer who lssag be received into the service OF tn
United States under ialis act. and who may b.
wounded or Otherwise disabled In The service shall
be entitled 10 the benefits which have been or mar
be conferred on persons disabled ia the regaia
service: ard the widow II there be one. and IL not
the legsl heirs ut such die, may be killed Il
service 10 addition 10 ali arrears " pay and allow
agaete, SHAH receive Tie Sum OF si00.
So that IT the time Of the enlistment OF tn
volunteer forces, called out al tbe beginning 0
thc war. there was special assurance on th
part Of TIC Government TO those who enlistet
that they should be entitled 70 pensions in cas
Of disability from wounds OF disease and tbs
their surviving widows and orphans, If the
were slain. should have arrears OF pay AM
bounty, and an additional allowance as pro
vided for in The statute.
* ACCORDANCE WITH PRECEDENT.
" ] tilink may safely assume that the Gov
ernment, il accordance with tbe practice Of al
martial nations e long line Of unbroken prece
dents, entered into a contract at the time whey
the soldiers enlisted that if they were disablet
they should be pcnsioned, and if they wer
slain their surviving widows and orphan
should receive compensation.
The ONLY question that arises under our gen
era pension laws, and the only question tina
ever ought 10 arise under what is known a
she arrears Of pension act, Is, when was tht
pension Que and payable2 The only question
involved in the arrears Of pension act wa
when tho pension that had been promised b,
the Government TO the soldier should begin
- -. Il.