The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-02-27
xr1CroRr FOR yAx WICK.
me Senate Passes a Blu Increasing Pension
to Ufdosrs of Soldiers.

to U1dosrs Of Soldiers.
/ 7, the senate on the 18th a small bill was
nassed granting a pension to New York
soldiers widow, and the following important
amendment by Senator Van Wyck was adopted
! That all widows or minor children of soldiers
who. as such, are now receiving under existing
laws general. or special, the sum of So per
month. by reason of the death of such soldiers
and sailors in service or from disability con-
tractcd in the military or naval service of the
United States and in line of duty shall, from
and after this date be entitled to and receive the
rate of sl2 per month in lieu of said rate of
IS: and all such widows or minor children who
| shall hereafter be found to be entitled to the
rate of IS per month under existing laws, shall
be entitled to and receive the rate Of slo in
lieu of said rate of IS.
| Mr.. Van Wyck said ''Tliis Is precisely the
same language which the senate incorporated
in the Mexican pension bill, as it is called
| The majority of the senate, no doubt felt thcny
as now that if there was any general iegisla'
ton to be had it should be To increase the
meagre compensation 81 zen to the widows o.
soldiers who had fallen upon the field OF
battle have felt it my duty to call the at.
tention of the senate to the matter by way OF
amendment to this bill. 1t is proposed to- d q
house bill. IL the senate adopts 1t, and places
IT upon the BILL and the. house refuses to con- Z
cur, then we can readily consent that the SEN
ate shall recede from its amendment so as NOS
to imper the bill for the relief OF the person
now seeking the pension. l am anxious, mas
much as there Is no possibility OF legislation
on this branch Of tie question unless 1t be
done in this way that the senate should at
least seek this opportunity to do this act Of
justice. = fs,tt
the case OF dependent parents, which should
be put in. should have incorporated that in
the amendment, except that some senator
might fear we were proposing to do too much
Ifaied to see any force In the suggestion
that we should place the Mexican pension bill
in peril by agreeing to the amendment | pro-
pose 1t is in peril to day, and 1t is defeated
substantially. The only question is whether
we should attempt to do something which
think both branches of the American congress
desire, and which the nation universally de-
sires, TO increase the pensions of those whose
pensions are far below what they should be in
the estimation of the nation. The Mexican
pension bill stands defeated, and as far as thu
veterans of the Mexican war Is concerned the
bill is defeated by the action of the senate.
The senate was SO unwilling that that meas
ure should stand upon its own merits, that
they placed amendments upon 1t which they
believed to be just and right. The only prac-
in regard to pensions Is whether we
shall do this act Of stern justice or
refuse to do 1t and do nothing. Neither the
Mexican soldier nor the other classes who were
considered in the amendments Of that bill will,
receive any consideration at the hands OF this
congress before the 4th day. Of March, We
can now save something for the most needy OF
all these classes, and that is the widows who
are only receiving IS per month, and suggest,
to my friend that it puts nothing In peril, not
even the bill. II we place this amendment on
the bill and the house refuse to concur, thenI-
shall be willing that the senate recede from our,
amendment. Ne shall have done all In our
power; we shall have satisfied the nation that
We are disposed to do justice to those who are
eceiving least from its bounty and generosity.
Vecan come in here specially and give the
Widows of some admirals and generals S5oper.
month, and Of others 81, coca year. That i'm
erils nothing; but when we resolve to take
ut Of the difficulty in which they are placed
hat class which, OF all others, is entitled to-
elief, we are told we should pause moment
o give the subject consideration; and when
emedy is within our reach, as 1t is now, to
ave them and do then justice, 1t Will be no
nswer, and my friend from New Hampshire
annot answer the widows in New Hampshire,
nd New England, and the United States, who
re receiving this pittance, by saying that 1t Is
ought to do something Use, and he fears this
Iould put something else in peril