Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-07-14
SENATOR BLAR's TRICK.
ICoatiaued from First Page

tOHttHUed from FtTSt rage
originally reported to the Senate. In our
Judgment this was the proper course to
pursue-fOr every veto should be judged
hy its own merits-as the facts
justified i'm each case. We are
clearly of the opinion that the manner IN
which the Presidents objections To the va
rious bills referred TO have been disposed
of by said alleged report is unauthorized
and highly Objectionable. No general
terms of dissent and criticism, it would
seem, was proper in reviewing the fresl-
dents objections, for which IN the case OF
each veto ne had assigned specific reasons.
The undersigned, in the most emphatic
manner, diSavOr all responsibility for said
report. its language, sentiments, and ITS
conclusions. We regard the tone and sub
stance of the report rs unwarranted by any
action of the committee. In Il opinion
the Presidents reasons for the yetoes re-
trrred TO does not call for the gross crltl-
cism or ccnsure of this body. From the
weight of the objections offered by the
President, tn each bill he has felt himself
constrained to veto, We might hnd
ample justification for what
his baen so unspairingly de-
nounced in said alleged report. We do
not find in any OF the vetOes und review
ANYTHING that indicates, on the part OF the
President, u want OF justice or proper
sympathy in the bestOwment OF honorS or
rewards on our soldiers; We believe he has
desired to mete out justice in all cases oil
meritorious claims submitted to him, and
we will not add to the cenSure OF the so
called report by attempting to prove that
the President is in proper sympathy WIN
all proper means and measures which at
test the appreciation felt by the country
for its defenders.
But we can not perceive the merits Of
the reasoning that would discriminate in
favor of a pension bill by any legal or
moral requirement, because the object oil
such a bill il to reward 4 soldier, or
provide for Il member of his family.
There can be no justification, either for
the President Or a member of this body,
i'm beStowing a bcneiactiOn when the law
and the facts do not justify it. Next to
the Injustice and ingratitude of tOtally. lg-
noring the patriot soldier, who held his
life ms "a willing sacrifice for his country,
would be the needless and indiScriminate
layishing of bOunties which ranks the pre-
tender and undcServing with the deserving
hero. The brave and devoted soldier must
regard every reward bestowed upon the I'M
deserving rs an injustice and a disparage-
ment to himself.
The undersigned would protest against
the report as unauthorized, and against the
unmerited censure which has been be-
slowed upon the President in the alleged
report referred to. for no other reason, so
Elr as we can see than that he has seen INT
honestly, cOnscientiOusly, and with Il
faithful regard for the public interest TO
exercise his constitutional prerogatlve IN
discriminating between the deserving and
undeseryingi in beStowing PENSIONS
j. y. CAMDEN,
A. H.. CoLQUITT,
L. X. WILSON.
w. c. WHITTHoRNE-
Mr.. Rlair-Will the Senator now permit
me a question? Allow me to ask him II
any of the signcrs of that report ever ex'
amined a single one of these pension cases,
either before or after the veto, or knows
anything about them?
Mr.. C~amden-The committee has mol
| considered them. They have not been be
fore the committee so tar rs l know.
Mr.. Blair can answer my question
more definitely than the Senator does.
Mr.. Camden-I have only examined TIT
record. ~
Mr.. Blair-Thcre was not one OF thes'
bills reported by n member OF ths poitica
minority of the committee. No n oil TN
/ political minority OF the committee, so Ia
/ NJ know or believe, ever xaminedt tn
bills or evidence originally or since tn
veto messages, or has any knowledge what
ever upon the subject of the merits OF tn
/ claims To which they allude. II the Sena
tor thinks otherwise or believes otherwise
or has himself any personal knowledge,
should be glad to have him state 1t.
Mr.. Camden-I will state to the Senate
that | was present in the committee-roon
ON Tuesday, the 10Th Of June, at whlci
time the order purports to have been mad
referring these cases to subcommittee
There was no other person in the commit
tee-room. The clerk told me that one o
two members had been in there, but ma
epne away, and that the chairman was EN-
Gagged on some other committee.
Mr. Blair-That was the day, as tn
Senator knows
Mr.. Camden-S0 far rs / am concerned
mr. the members who signed the minorit
report which | have read, they did no
know that such a report was IN contempla
tion, and they knew nothing about 1t.
Mr.. Blair-The Senator has not answer
ed my question. l asked the Senator
he or any other member Of the COMMITTEES
who has signed the paper which he read s
the views of the minority, knows anythln
of the merits of the cases that were VI
toed?
Mr.. Camden-We claim that we repr'
I sent the views of the majority; that the
|, was no expression of the committee on Il
: subject.
Mr.. Blair-I do not understand the Sci
. asor. / ask him if he or any member
the committee who signed that paper d
: examined any one of these vetoed cases.
Mr.. Camdea7So far IS i know, tht
!, never had an opportunity OF dong 50; Tx
never knew anything about it.
Mr.. Blair-Can the Senator deny IN