The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-06-19
DOINGS OF CONGRESS.
The Mexican Pension Bill Sill Under
Discussion.


ton bill in secret session. the special subject of
discussion being the item appropriating
$250,o0 to cover necessary expenses attendant
upon the execution of the neutrality act Mr.
Vest No. characterized this item as extraor-
binary, and demanded to know the real pur-
pose Of the appropriation, but the chairman,
Mr.. Allison, declined to respond. a vote on
the passage Of the bill resulted ayes 81 nays i,
lno quorum and the Senate adjourned.
THURSDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
IL the Senate on TIL ursday, the consular and
diplomatic appropriation bill was passed by a
vote of Sc yeas to nays.
The Mexican pension bill was then taken up
and Mr.. Van Wyck moved as an amendment
the bill some time since reported from the
Pension Committee by Mr.. Cullom, TO provide
pensions for invalid soldiers and sailors who
have been discharged from the army or navy
after three months in the war of the rebellion,
and increasing from Sc to So per month the
pensions Of widows and dependent parents Of
deceased pensioners, and declaring that upon the
Government shall hereafter be the burden Of
proving unsouDdness at date OF enlistment.
This led to long and exciting debate.
Mr.. Sherman co. advocated an amendment
removing the charge OF desertion still standing
against certain soldiers
Mr.. Salisbury Dem, Dell was opposed to
pensions for any cause but for disability. The
money Of the taxpayers should not be used to
support able-bodied men. There were hun
dreds of thousands Of people contributing TO
taxation who had hardly the necessaries OF life.
Mr.. Van Wyck agreed that taxation was too
high. bat the Treasury was overlooking; one
political party had just resolved TO increase
pensions, and he had no doubt the other party
would in its turn pass similar resolution. 1t
was the judgment Of the Nation, and we might
as well good-naturedly assent.
lit was maintained by several Senators that
if the bill were thus amended it would not be
likely TO pass the House at this session, and by
Others that the amendments would increase
The chances OF its passage.
Mr.. ingalls, Kan moved as q further amend
ment, Senate bill No. L, providing that pensions
for injuries received In the service since March
1851 or disease contracted since that date shall
commence from the date Of death or discharge;
and in the consideration Of all claims for PEN
sions the soldier on whose account the claim is
made shall be conclusiYely presumed TO have
been sound and free from disease on entering
the service
Mr. ingalls, read from the plank Of the plat
form of the recent Republican convention,
pledgiHg that party TO a repeal Of the limita-
fion contained IN the arrears Of pension act.
BE was very glad, be said, that the Republi-
can party had arrived at this conclusion, and
at last. in unmstakable terms declared itself
in favor Of this principle.
Mr. ingalls, now called on his party associates
to carry out the expressed declaration Of their
party. AS this question was TO become, Mr..
ingalls, said, q test as TO which political party
was the friend Of the Union veterans. he pro-
posed that the next thing TO be considered in
connection with this bin was whether the
declaration Of the Republican party was to be
carried out in good faith
A 41,n
Commissioner Of Pensions containing estimates
OF what the proposed legislation would cost,
and the Senate then adjourned without action.
FRIDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
In the Senate. on Friday, the chief subject Of
discussion was tie House bin providing for the
payment Of the claims audited by the Treasury
Department the past year by virtue Of the act
Of July 4 1864, for c0mmisSariat and quarter
masters supplies furnished TO the army during
the war An amendment appropriating $50
556.17 10 pay the claim Of Julia Mutt, widow
Of Halier Mutt, Union man, formerly resi-
dent Of Louisiana, whose house was occupied
by General Grant and whose property was con-
sumed by the Union armies, was adopted and
the bib passed. The Senate then took up the
act 70 refund the State Of Georgia the sum Of
SIS, 555.s2 expended by her in the war for the
Revolution, but without reaching any action
Oh it, adjourned
MONDAYS PROCEEDINGS
In the Senate, on Monday, the 10Th inst. Mr
ingalls, KAN, rising to a question Of personal
privilege, objected to certain interpretations
which he declared had been made by Dir.
Brown Ga in the printed report Of debate
between these Senators On the bill to repay
Georgia certain moneys Mr. ingalls, said that
Wr Browns mode Of attack on him partook of
that Of the thug. he submitted a resolution
that the interpOlsted language should be ex-
plunged from the official record of the debates
but objection being made the matter went over
The Senate then proceeded to discuss Mr. But
ler's 6. c. resolution for an examination into
the condition Of the New York banks by a
committee Of the Senate, but no vote was
reached.
The conference report on the the post-office
appropriation bill was then taken up and the
Senate c0ncurred IN House amendment to the
post-ofice bin increasing the amount for special
mail facilities 70 $500 and insisted on It's
other amendments. An adverse report was
made to the Senate upon the claims of Mary.
land and Virginia Tor money advanced the
Government on account Of the public buildings
at Washington. The Utah bill was taken M
and Dit. Brown GA replied to a recent speech
OF III. H0ar Mass, reading from history tc
prove that the people Of Massachusetts formerly
bought and held a. slaves Sc0tchmen, Irishmen
Indians, negroes and mulattoes. Mr.. Hoar de.
cllned 10 reply 10 Dir. Brown. Without reach.
ing vote On the bil the Senate adjourned.
TUESDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
IN the Senate, on Tuesday, Mr. Brown said
that the charge made by Mr. ingalls, the day
before n regard 10 alleged interpretations 81
his lBrOwnsl remarks on the bill to repsI
Georgia certain moneys was a deliberafelT
planned insult and uttered not only In viola
ton Of the rules Of the Senate, but Ia detianc,
Of the authority Of the presiding officer.
The Chair at this point remarked that th,
Senator from Georgia was doing the very thin.
lac was charging against Mr. Ingalls,. and tina
IN accusing brother Senator OF deliberatel,
planned insult said the Senator from Georgi:
was out Of order.
Mr. Brown then withdrew that remark. anS
went on 70 explain that ii had been a reguIa
custom for Senators TO revise their speeches
as no matter how accurate the reporters may b
lac cannot hear all Senators with equal distinct
ness, and he had revised his remarks in orde
10 have them conform 70 what he did say ac
cording 10 his best recollection
In referring TO the remarks Of Mr. Tnpall
about his Browns having attacked him frou
the safe ambush Of the printing Office he sal
there was nothing IL the person, the character
or the anUecedents Of the Senator from Kansa
10 make him an object Of apprehension or {
excite the fears Of any man.
Nh. ingalls,, IN reply, repeated his charge tina
the records Of the Senate had been falsiiicd
and said the official reporter had informed hiI
that Mr.. Brown did not use any such languag