The Indianapolis journal., 1884-06-21
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
THE SENATE.
Routine Business-Further Discussion of the
Mexican Pension Bill.

Routine Business-Further Discussion of the
Mexican Pension Bill
WASHINGTON, June 20-Alr Merrill, from the
committee on finance, reported favorably the
bill amending the act of June, 1880, relating to
| the immediate transportation of dutiable goods.
Placed on the calendar
Mr.. Greene presented the credentials of Eph-
RAIN X. Wilson, senator elect from Maryland
for term of six years, beginning March T. 1885.
Mr.. Voorhees, resolution, heretofore offered,
calling for information as to the Indian beef
contracts was agreed to-
The Mexican pensions bill was taken up.
Mr.. Voorhees, moved to amend Mr.. Ingallss
proposition, submitted yesterday, by striking
from it the clause limiting the time within
which application for pension may be made
Mr.. Williams was opposed to all amendments
Ingalss amendment and the other
amendments were tackled on he (Mr
Willialns could not support the bill. He
would not bring financial ruin on his govern
ment in order to secure the pittance of S8 a
month to his comrades in the army. He had
thought, ten days ago that the bill would pass
with a two-thirds majority. Now he doubted
whether it would pass except when loaded down
with ruinous provisions The Republicans pro
posing to amend the bill had professed to be its
friends. Good save my old comrades in arms,
said he from such friends as these" majority
of the Mexican pensioners, he continued, hap
dened to live on the wrong side of Mason and
Dxons line
Mr. Cnllom said this was a pension bill,
and in dealing with the subject the
Senate could not disregard the demands
of hundreds of thousands of Union soldiers for
enlargement of tine scope of the pension laws.
The soldiers who fought to save the life of the
nation should be heard on the floor of the Sen
ate as well as the man who fought iii the Mexi-
can war
Mr.. NIaxey offered an amendment excepting
all senators and representatives of tins Congress
from securing any benefit from the proposed
pension. There had been some references in
the debate he said. which seemed to imply that
those present who had fought in the Mexican
war were personally interested i'll having the
bill passed. He desired to remove all ground
for such references
Mr. Voorhees, amendment to strike ont
from Mr.. Ingallss amendment the clause
limiting arrears wasnot agreed to.
Mr. VanWyck offered an amendment providing
that as to all pensions hereafter granted no
distinction of rank should be recognized and all
such pensioners should be rated as enlisted men.
Lost.
Mr. Williams called attention to the fact that
the amendment of Mr.. ingalls,, while allowing
arrears of pensions, only allowed them to soldiers
of the late war. This was discrimination against
the Mexican veterans
Mr. Sherman said his own vote ON this amend
ment would, he supposed, dlsappoint a great
many persons for whom he had great deal OF
consideration
AT this point suggestion of adjournment was
made.
Mr. Cullom attempted to secure an agreement
to have a vote on the bill and amendments by .
o'clock to tomorrow, but Mr. Morgan objected, say
ing the bill must go through on its merits or not
at all.
After executive session, the Senate adjourned.