National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-05-27
THE UTAH BILL
Comes Up in the Senate, but Gives Way to
the Mexican Pension Bill,
Tho walIace-HIcISinIey Contested Elec-
tIon Case In the House.
THE SENATE.

Hoar proceeded to speak upon It, He said that
the American people did not mean to have, IN the
heart oftheir continent, aud growing up under
the constitution ofhe United states in territory
subject to the exclusive legislation OF congress an
American state founded upon denial OF purity
and integrity of the family relation.
Mr. Hoar reviewed the forces OF chutcn, smte,
and society, which the MormOns had been, and
still WERE bringing 10 bear for the recruiting 81
their numbers and the perpetuation OF their
power lie concluded by saying: ut Is therefore
In no spirit of religious intolerance IL Is with no
desire TO Interfere by the least title, with con-
scenuous belief, however erroneous we may
deem H. Of any man, but IL Ia simply that the re-
sponsible, law-mskng power for that territory as
for all territories, shall see that the great lnu-
ences of government and legislation are no longer
used for this illegal aud unChristan purpose that
this bill IL drawn"
Mr.. Brown offered the following amendment
THAT the voluntary sexual intercourse OF mar
ried person with one OF the opposite sex, not the
husband or wife of such married person, shall be
cause and the only cause OF absolute divorce from
the bond of marriage in the District Of Columbia
or IN the territories Of the United States ana any
other places subject TO the exclusive Jurisdiction
cases. as at common law. grant divorces from bed
and board In said district, territories, or oIher
places. uject to the exclusive Jurisdiction oil
the United States.
the MEXICAN PENSIONS BILL.
The principal changes made by the senate pen
sions committee in the bill us u came from the
house Of representatives First In striking out
the clause that limits widows pensions TO tho
cases Of widows who were married before the
the payment Of the pension to all Mexican sol
diers widows who have not remarked; ana
second limiting the benefits Of the act to persons
their own labor or assistance from others Tor
support.
PENSIONS explained the effect of the amend
monts, and said that II every soldier should bo
pensioned for service, without regard to disaoii-
ties, tho application Of the rule to the surviving
soldiers OF the late war would involve the coun-
try in an expenditure OF sl00,00O,00O annually
duty 10 his country The estimated number of
Mexican soldiers now surviving was $4,000, and
tue bill gave pension TO all who had served even
one day. He thought that those who did not need
apension ought not to ask 1t.
Mr.. Blair alluding to the epithet Of "the pauper
senate amendments, said he did not look upon
poverty as disHraceful, and repealed the idea he
had heard advanced that 1t was degradation or
mark of pauporism in u man who had served his
country to take pension from the people of that
country. The idea of this bill that If soldier
needed help at a time when by reason of age no
vas able to work sufficiently as when younger,
she service pension might make life easier for
aim.
Mr.. Logan moved 10 strike out that part OF the
amendment which, as he understood It, refused q
pension unless he acknowledged himself TO be a
pauper, and spoke in favor Of his motion. He
did not believe the estimates were correct that
fixed the number OF Mexican veterans now living
at $4,000. He thought that the estimate must have
been made large In order to defeat the bill.
There could not be more than 1900 now
living; that was the Ultimate that was sup.
ported by the pest evidence. III economy, ana
not merit, was to be the order Of the day
senators had better walt till there were only ono
or two Of the Mexican veterans living; there
would be considerable money saved by that
course. If the pension was TO be given because
1t was right, 1t should be given now.
After fuller debate the matter went over till
after tho conclusion OF morning business to day,
Mr.. Cameron, of Wisconsin, saying, however, that
he would insist on proceeding with the calendar
at that hour.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS COMMISSION.
Mr.. Logan reported from the Judiciary commit
tee the bill heretofore passed by the senate, eX-
tending until Dec 81, 1884 The duration Of the
that the senate non concur IN the house amend
ment, extending the time one year longer.
once and that the senate concur III the amend
ment. He said the court had decided t.606 cases
III year and half, and there were 1858 cases
yet to be tried, and these could not be decided by
This was opposed by Messrs Garland and Bay.
ard. but Mr.. Logan said he personally favored
concurrence In the house amendment, rs the few
mont his between now and next December would
clearly not be sufficient to enable the pending
cases to be disposed Of
on the vote to concur Mr.. Bayard called the
ayes and noes, which resulted-yeas 49, nays 10:
30 the senate concurred in the amendment Of the
house extending the term OF the cour! 10 Dec 81.
1885.
RAILROAD LAND GRANT FoRFEIrUREs.
Mr.. Plumb, IRON the committee ON public lands,
reported hyOraby the bill to forfeit tue unCarned
land grants of the Atlantic and Pacific railroad,
AMI restore the same TO settlement.
Mr. Garland, from the committee on the judi
ciary, reported iayorably Mr.. Skaters resolution
offered some days since, modified so as 10 request
the president to communicate TO the senate any
information possessed by him or by the executive
departments concerning the appointment of com
missioners since July 4th, 1877, in respect OF ex-
aiming sections of the Northern Poetic railroad
and tho acceptance OF such sections, with the
dates of acceptance, and whether patents Tor lands
have been issued 10 said company in respect OF
any part of the road completed since July 4th.
1877, and If so to what extent, and whether any
puolio lands are now reserved from sale or other
disposal by OF the building of said road or
any part Of 1t. The resolution was placed on the
calendar
MIR. Conger called up the resolution heretofore
offered by Mr.. Van Wyck, directing the secretary
patent 10, or recognizing any claim made by. the
Northern Pacific railroad on account of the Puyal-
lup branch until this congress should take action
Oh the question Of the forfeiture Of lands granted
~ that road.
The question was on Mr. Conger's motion to refer
the resolution to the committee on the Judiciary,
with instructions to the committee to state its
opinion as to whether II was competent for the
senate 10 direct or request an executive officer u
suspend the execution ola law, this instTucting
having been suggested by Mr.. Wilson and ac-
cepted by Mr.. Conger.
Mr.. Van Wyck modified his resolution Ito re
Heye II, he said, OF any seeming disoourtesy), Sc
that may direct the secretary of the interior tn
give the senate information as TO the condition OF
the government, and requesting him meanwhile to
Withhold patents.
Mr.. conger however. insisted upon his motion
10 refer.
Mr.. Hoar aud Mr.. Wilson supported the refer.
enCe.
Afer further debate, participated in by Messrs
Conger and slater and Others, the matter went
over till today.
THE HOIJSE