The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-26
Important Funding Bill intro
duced in the House by
Hancock, of Texas.
MOrrisOn's Amendment to In
vest all Surplus Revenue
Over 800. 100000.
Further Debate OH Pensions in
the Senate-Wrangle over
an Amendment.
CONGRESSIONAL.
SENATE.

JlOIl w do dtlODbCh hllCNDih5 oHO LII
mittee on expenditures of publ
money TO investigate the recent detail
cation in the post office department
and to inquire into the system o
making disbursements and purchase
of supplies, with view OF determin
ing whether it embraces suflicien
Safeguards against defalcations ant
frauds.
The Mexican pension bill was theI
taken up, and its consideration pro
ceeded with, Mr.. Plum giving notice
whether that bill be finished to-day OF
not, he would, tomorrow, move tt
take up the Atlantic 81 Pacific lan(
grant forfeiture bill.
The pending question In connec
ton with the Mexican pension bills
was on the amendment of Ingalls,,
dating pensions of union soldiers from
the date of discharge or of disability,
and extending to October 1, 1884, the
limitation of the time to file applica-
tiOn for arrears.
Mr.. Sherman very much regretted
to be obliged to oppose any PROPOSE
ton favored by the union soldiers,
but he knew the soldiers themselves
were divided about this proposition.
Mr.. Ingalls, said it would be crafty
ing to the country to understand that
Sherman had said that pension was
not contract, bnt gratitude or char
ity, which the United States could
give, or Withhold, as it pleased. He
called the gentleman's attention to the
fact that the republican platform of
Ohio, two years ago, and that of the
republican national convention,
this year, declared for the
very thing which this meas
ure embodied yet the senator
from Ohio, Mr.. Sherman, deliberately
disavowed that declaration, and de-
clared it was not binding upon the
conscience, nor upon the political
action of those who may be called to
vote on the question.
Mr.. Ingalls, favored liberty OF opin-
ion, but If the declarations referred to
were to be declared by those in au-
thority not to be binding,
then it would be well for
the party managers to put
up notice, as the railroad managers
did, that passengers are not allowed
to stand on the platform.
Mr.. Sherman deprecated this intro
duction of a party platform to guide
senators in the performance of their
sworn duties. When he remembered
that the platform of the late republic
can convention had been fixed up in a
few hours time on a swelterlng hot
day, by forty-Gwo men, suddenly CALL
ed together, most of whom never saw
each other before, he did not think
it should be called a guide
for senators in the performance
of their public duty. Helthought it an
extraordinary spectacle, that it should
be attempted to so make it guide.
He had as much respect as anybody
for the opinion of his party, but it
was the congress of the United States
that, under the constitution, must
prescribe laws for our country. Our
democrat friends would be in very
sorry predicament if he should pre-
sent to them their party platform for
the last twenty years, as a guide
for action. In fact, they were in a
sorry predicament, anyway. But a
senator of the United States must
have some better guide that hastily
arranged party platform. lie (Sher-
man) would not be afraid to go before
any crowd of soldiers in the United
States and make the argument he had
made to-day. lie believed the Judg-
ment or every sensible, candid
and fair minded man among them
would be with him.
The Ingalls, amendment was voted
down. Ayes, Is; nays, 80.
Mr.. Mitchell offered an amendment
insubstance, that the pension bill in
troduced by Cullom early in May,
providing pensions for invalid sol
diers and sailors who have been dis
charged from the army or navy of the
United States alter three months SER
vice in the rebellion; for widows and
dependent parents of deceased pen
sioners, adopted-32 yeas, % nays.
Before this was agreed to Mr.. Nor
gan moved to postpone consideration
of the bill until December, as he said
the Mexican soldiers could not get a
fair chance while this bill was being
treated as a political measure-lost.
Mr.. Vest said the object of a ma
jority of the senate was evidently to
kill the bill, not by a fair shot, but by
loading it down with amendments.
He could not vote for 1t,
rs amended, feeling the ma
jority was influenced by the fact
that the war with Mexico, which had
shed so much glory on the American
army, was democratic war.
Mr.. Conger supposed it then follow
ed that the war for the union had been
republican war.
Mr.. Vest said he had not said so.
Mr.. Conger remarked that he would
then say so on his account.
After some further discussion, twas
agreed, on the suggestion of Mr.. Allis.
on, to adopt the ten minutes rule fol
speeches tomorrow and come to 9
vote on the bill and amendment al
three o'clock.
Adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Hancock introduced a bill au
thorizing the funding of the entir,
bonded debt of the United States, il
two per cent fifty-y ear bonds. Refer
red.
Mr.. Randall, chairman Of the com
mittee on appropriations, said he wa
directed by the unanimous voice O
Of the committee, to move to suspen
the rules and pass the sundry civi
appropriation bill. He wished first t.
give the house an opportunity to vot
upon u few amendments, the most i'm
portant of which was that reported b
the committee of expenditures in tn
department OF justice, relating to tn
salaries of the United States marshal
and district attorneys.
Some opposition was manifested t
the proposition to pass the bill undo
suspension of the rules.
Morrison asked unanimous conseI
TO be allowed to offer an amendmeI
directing the secretary of the treasur
to apply the surplus revenue, at an
time, in the treasury in excess of $40
100000, and not otherwise appropr
ated, to the redemption of Unite
States bonds, and when any of sal
bonds are redeemable at the pleasul
of the government. Il shall not |
lawful to apply any portion of tt
surplus to the purchase of bonds at
premium, and Randall joined Mo
rison in this request, aud Mr.. Hi
cock objected. The reading of Il
bill was then proceeded with, az
when concluded, the thirty minu
debate, permitted under the rule
was entered upon.
Mr.. Hiseock briefly explained {
reason why he had objected to Nor
sons amendment. There were abo
S1SS00o. 600 appropriated in the tire;
ury: OF this, So. 10000 was in sily
coin or fractional eurren'
TIE result Of the amendme
Would be to force from the treasu