The Indianapolis journal., 1884-06-13
PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS-.
THE SENATE.
The Debate on the Mexican Pension Bill and
Proposed Amendments.

Fhe Debate on the Mexican Pension Bill and
Proposed Amendments.
WAsHINGToN, June l2.-On motion Of Mr.
Allison, the Senate took final vote the con
sular and diplomatic appropriation bill, and the
bill passed-3S yeas, , nays, CMessrs. Vance and
Van Wyck) The bill, as passed, is almost pre-
cisely as reported from the Senate committe on
appropriations, making an addition Of $500, 900
to the bill as reported from the House.
The Mexican pension bill was taken up, and
Mr.. Van Wyck moved as an amendment the bill
on the same subject since reported from the pen
sions committee by Mr.. Cullom, to provide pen
sions for invalid soldiers and sailors VINO had
been discharged from the army or navy after
three months in the war of the rebellion, and for
widows and dependent parents Of deceased pen
sioners.
Mr. Hawley was opposed to a service pension,
and would therefore be unable to vote for the
Mexican pension bill. Able-bodied soldiers did
not need pensions, but for disabled soldiers he
would give literally.
Mr.. Culom said the Mexican pension bill
ought to be passed. also the amendment provid-
ing relief for soldiers of the late war.
Mr.. Sherman was very desirous that at tins
session some satisfactory pension legislation
should be secured not only for Mexican soldiers,
but for soldiers of the late He hoped the
military committee would add TO the bill
an amendment on another point 1t was an
outrage, he SAID, that thousands OF brave SOulelS
who served their country Faithfully III the war,
and went to their homes when the war was
over, should stand in the army records as desert
ers. The charge that these men were deserters
was a lie. They were not deSerterS They had
fulfilled their contracts with the United States.
To say to soldiers of the Union that the war did
not end until 1866, was an outrage and shame.
He did not care who had decided it, it was
shame to stamp as deserters brave men who 50
long fought CALAMITY for their country in battles
hon nod
their country with laurels and saved our nation
for, he trusted many generations yet unborn.
Mr.. Hawley sald that after the sulTen-
der there were great many dangers to
was no date when trouble might
not have occurred; there was great police duty
to be performed. Was it for the individual
soldier to say: II will go home now, and leave
my comrades to remain on duty The precise
degree of moral guilt of soldiers who ran home
he (Mr. Hawleyl would not attempt to fix nor
would he for moment compare them with the
rascals who ran away from the army within the
war period proper; but no man could convince
him that the class of men first mentioned had
been just to their comrades.
Mr.. Plumb said it was an outrage to put these
men a par with those who had basely deserted
the cause during the war. This was matter of
the greatest moment to a large number of the
braveSt soldiers of the army, and should be set
right
Mr.. Slater did not think anybody could
measure the expense that would be incurred if
the bill became a law with the proposed amend
ments There would doubtless be 500, 900 names
added to the pension list Since this bill had
been reported from the committee, a voice had
come from Chicago commanding arrears Of
pensions to be paid, and that would add probably
$50, 900 more names to the roll The audacity of
the whole thing was the only feature in its favor
1t was mere political flank movement to cover
up excessive taxation.
Mr. Ingalls, moved, as an amendment Senate
bill No. 2 being the bill introduced by him the
first day of the present session, amending the
arrears of pensions act
Mr.. Ingalls, read from the plank of the plat
form of the recent Republican convention pledg
ing that party to repeal of the limitation con-
tanned in the arrears of pensions act. He was
very glad, he said, that the Republican party
had arrived at this conclusion, and at last in un
principle He now called on his party associates
to carry out the expressed declaration of their
party.
Mr.. Sherman said. with his views of the de-
mauds made on the Treasury, he would not, if
pressed, vote for Mr.. Ingalls, proposition. The
declaration of a political platform would not
change his views. He did not think the prnci
pie was right The pension should commence
when the application for it was filed, As for the
proposition to put all survivors of the Union
army on the pension roll at this time, it would 50
weigh down our finances as to make it almost
impossible to bear. He suggested that com
mttee of nine Senators be appointed to consider
this whole subject.
Mes srs Harris CulI> u, Ingalls, and MaXey
opposed the suggestion. and after further debate.
the Senate without reaching a conclusion on
the bill, went into executive session, and when
the doors were reopened adjourned