The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-01-23
SUMMARY OF CONGRESS-
Senate.

Among the petitions presented wos one by
Mr.. Hoar, from Mrs. Belva A. Lockwood, pray
ing Congress to see that the votes cast for her
at the last presidential election be counted
Senators Wilson and Mitchell introduced
bills to increase the pensions of widows or
minor children of deceased soldiers or sailors
of the United States in the late war from 50
to $l2 n month IA hot debate occurred
over Mr.. Hawleys resolution calling for
certain letter TO General Sherman filed in the
war department
Mr.. Hawley's resolution calling for the
Sherman-DRvis papers was again discussed
and finally carrie | by 81 yeas to 10 nays.
Mr. Dolph reported favorably from the com
mittee on public lands the House bill, with
amendments to repeal the prevention desert
lands and timber culture laws, and to amend
the homestead law The Senate further
considered the Interstate commerce BILL and
Mr.. Nance's amendment that no railroad
company be allowed to charge higher pro-
portionate rate for the carriage of small than
of large parcels was agreed to.
Mr.. Edmunis called Mr. FRYE to the chair,
took the floor, and called up the bill providing
that the President may appoint to the retired
list one person who has occupied the position
of general commanding any of the armies of
the United States, or general-in-chief of the
United States army. He moved to amend it
by adding, with the rank and full pay of
such general or general-in-chief, as the case
may be. The amendment was agreed to.
Mr.. Coclirell desired to record his vote against
the bill, not knowing whether the yeas and
nays would be called on it, The retired list.
he said, was not the place for private citizens.
1t was created for officers who, being still in
the service, bad been rendered unfit for duty.
There was neither justice nor propriety in
! placing private citizens on such list Gen.
eral Grant was now enjoying the receipt of
| $4,000 year, which was enough for the sup
port of any American citizen. Mr.. Ed
munds said he conculred in the gen
eral principle laid down by Mr.. Cocl1rell as &c
the retired list, that it was not the place
for private citizens. He (NIr. EdmunlsJ was
| ON that point Democrat of Democrats But
as n Senator and citizen he was clad of the
opportunity to ask the passage of this bill.
General Grant had served his country faith
fully and CALAMITY in the Mexican war while
n young lieutenant. He became general of
the armies of the United States on an occa
sion OF very considerable Importance and in.
terest. General Grant had been removed
from the office of general of the armies of
the United States from which he would
have been retired when he reached
the proper age and put on this very
list Ia assume again command of tie
armies of the United States as COM
mardcrn-chief under is constitution.
He had not sought it. He had obeyed the
call of duty. That removed him from the
technical place that he had held in the army
to higher place as the constitutional com
mander of the United States under the law.
When his term expired he became a private
citizen In that State of the case and under
the circumstances which all knew, and in
view of the honor, the respect, the gratitude
and the duty that we owe him as primus in
| illustrius in the history Of this country, Mr.
Edmunds would be glad TO have a unani-
nous vote for the bill. he debate was brief,
and the bill was passed, yeas 49, nays 9
| Among the Democrat, MessIs. Maxey, Noor-
| hees, George, ellison ana Jones spoke also in
| its favor. The Senators who voted nay we're
Me'srs Beck, Coclirell, Coke, Harris, Pendle-
ton. Salisbury, Slater, Vance and Walker
Mr.. Hale reported iayorably the bill for the
| relief of the sufferers of the wreck OF the
| United States steamer Tallapoosa
Mr. Miller, of California intro
duced bill to increase the pension of Mrs.
/ Frances L. Thomas, widow of General George
! H. Thomas. from $3.50 TO 60 900 a year-the
same as the pension already granted to the
| widow of Admiral Farragut. In executive
session the Senate discussed the reciprocity
treaties with Spain and Nicaragua
a petition from 5000 cigar makers of
! Philadelphia was presented setting forth that
ratification of the pending Span sh treaty
would throw out of employment more citi-
zens of the United States than there are in
habitantS of Cuba and Porto Rico, and pro-
| testing against ratification Mr.. Beck in
| troduced Il bill TO authorize the accounting
| officers OF the treasury to settle and adjust
| the claims of any State for expenses incurred
/ 10y 1t for the purpose of suppre sing the late
nsurrection III the United States The in
ter-state commerce bin was further discussed