The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1884-06-26
CONGRESSIONAL.
SENATE.


SENATE.
WASHINGTON, June GA resolution
was adopted directing the committee on
expenditures of public money to inves'i-
gate the recent defalcations in the post
office department and the frauds upon
the navy department, and to inquire into
the system of making disbursements and
purchases of supplies. With view of
determining whether it embraces sufii-
cient safeguards against defalcations and
frauds.
The Mexican pension bill was then
taken up and its consideration proceed
ed with, Plumb giving notice whether
that bill be passed, finished, to-day or
not he would to- morrow move to take up
the Atlantic s. Pacific land grant for
fixture bill.
Pending the question in connection
with the Mexican pension bill, there
was an amendment offered by Ingalls,
dating the pensions OF union soldiers
from the date of discharge or disability,
and extending to October J., 1854, the
limitation of time to file application for
arrears.
Sherman very much regretted to be
obliged to oppose any proposition fa-
vored by union soldiers, but he knew
the soldiers themselves were divided
about this proposition. His heart and
his feelings were all with the soldiers.
He appreciated the value of their ser
vices to the country tor generations yet
unborn. This proposition, however, al
fected the interests of the people Of the
United States, not only the soldiers but
the citizens. The commissioner of pen
sions had estimated that this appropria-
ton would involve the payment OF $246.-
$1,000. He asked the senators whether
this was time to greatly enlarge the
demads on the treasury. When the act
of 1879 was passed, it was time of
great plenty, after specie payments had
been resumed and when the surplus in
the treasury was fast accumulsting and
the treasury OVERLOOKING. That time
was not this time. Our revenues are
rapidly falling of. A great shrinkags
of values was going on, and securities
which, in 1879, were considered coed,
were now believed to be worthless.
CongeF said there were many thOuS-
and soldiers who had no opportunity 10
present their claims within the time
fixed in the act of 1879. There was no
reason in law or equity that they should
be Disseminated against. The amend.
ment of ingalls, was just and equitable
| and should be adopted.
Mr.. Ingalls, SAID 1t would be gratifying
| to the country to understand that Sher-
man held that pensions were not con-
tract, but gratuity or charity which the
United States could give or within old, as
| it pleased. He called SheTman's atten-
ton to the tact that the Republican
platform of Ohio two years ago and that
of the Republican national conYention
this year declared for the thing which
| this measure embodied. The Sena-
| tor from Ohio (SheTman) deliberately
| disaYowed that declaration and declared
i 1t was not binding on the conscience nor
upon political action, of those who may
be called on 20 vote on the question.
ingalls, favored liberty of opinion but If
the declarations referred 10 were declar-
| ed by those in authority not to be bind
ing, when it would be well for the party
managers to put up notice as railroad
managers did that passengers are not
allowed TO stand on the platform.
Sherman deprecated this introduction
of party platforms to guide the senators
in the performance of their sworn duties.
A senator of the United States must
have some better guide than hastily
arranged platforms. He (Sherman)
would not be afraid to go before any
crowd of soldiers In the United States
and make the argument he had made
to-day.
The IDgalls amendment was voted
down, yeas 20, nays 81.
Mitchell offered as an amendment the
substance OF the pension bill introduced
by Cullom early IN May, providing for
invalid soldiers and sailors who have
been discharged from the army or navy
of the United States after three months
service in the war of the rebellion, and
widows and dependent parents of de-
ceased pensioners. Adopted. Yeas, 80;
nays, 81.
ingalls, and Plumb voting ave. and
Cockrell and Vest nay.
Before this was agreed to Morgan
moved TO postpone the consideration OF
the bill until December as he saw, he
said, Mexican soldiers could not get q
fair chance while the bill was being
treated as q political measure.
Vest said the object of the majority of
the senate evidently was to xiii the bill
not by fair vote, but by loading it down
with amendments. Fs
Mr. Conger supposed 1t then followed
that the war tor the union had been Q
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 1t was
agreed, on the suggestion Of Mr. Allison,
TO adopt ten minute rule for speeches
Tomorrow, and come to vote on the
bill. and amendments ST 8 O'Clock,
HOUSE.
Hancock introduced bill authorizing
the funding the entire bonded debts ioE
the United States in 2 per cent fifty year
bonds. Referred.
Randall, chairman of the committee
on appropriations. said he was directed
by the unanimous voice Of that commit
tee 70 move to suspend the rules and
pass the sundry civil appropriation bill.
Some opposition was manifested TO
the proposition TO pass the bill under q
suspension of the rules,
Morrison asked that unanimous con
sent be allowed to offer an amendmen
directing the secretary of the treasury to
apply the surplus revenue at any time
in the treasury in excess Of one hundred
million OF dollars, and not otherwise ap-
proDFIated, TO the redemption Of United
States bonds, and when any OF the said
bonds are Reasonable at the pleasure OF
the government, 1t shall not be lawful
TO apply any portion of the surplus 10
the purchase OF bonds at premium.
Randall Joined Morrison In this re.
quest, but Hiscock objected.
The reading Of the bill was then pro-
ceeded with, and when concluded the
thirty minute debate, permitted under
the rules, was entered upon.
Hiscock briefly explained the reason
why he had objected TO MorrIson's
amendment. There was about $685.
0O0, 900 unappropFieted in the treasury.
OF this $75,000,000 was in silver coin or
fractional currency. The result of this
amendment would be to force from the
treasury in gold all the available sum OF
800, 600, 600, leaving in the treasury
as reserve S75,000,O00 in silver and
s25. 000, 900 in gold.
Morrison said the object Of the amend
| ment wss simply TO reach what W.
called the surplus money in the tresk
for the purpose OF redeeminR tb' Is
or gold certificates or notse
which have gone into y. q oo0lss
the other funds In -'---- $500
| specific purposes VS.. ETC. Ss-se
the surplus. I3k0iE
Randall then .----------.-. iooi3X
Il directing tn