Morning journal and courier., 1888-03-09
Fiftieth Congress--First Session.
WASHINGTON, March 8.

taken up and Mir. Manderson replied to som
 ot the remarks made by Senator Vest las 1 week, particularly as to their being no fed eral ex-soldiers or Confederates in almshouse | in Missouri. He quoted from report of tn commissioner of pensions showing that on tn l 10th of October, 1887, there were in Missouri almshouses 138 ex-Union soldiers and 62 de pendent relatives, and in the whole United States 16, ,S56 ex-soldiers and 4, 945 dependen relatives, in all 21 ,8O1. In addition ther
 were in National Soldiers Homes 15.152 in mates, making total of 36,953 ex-soldier and their dependents who were dependent ol the charitable institutions. In contradiction ot MT. Vests statement that fifty per cent. O the number of those enrolled during the wa
 were either pensioners or applicants for pen slons he showed that there were 367, ,424 in valid pensions granted and 240, ,662 for wid ows, children or dependent relatives; in other words, that there were (of pensioners ano clalmants) not over twenty four per cent. oi the whole number enlisted.
 Mir. Hoar spoke in favor of the bill. He said that the State of Massachusetts had ex pended over SIS, ,000, ,000 in aid of pensions and argued that that fact demonstrated that the pension system had been inadequate, in sufficient, too economical. That one fact it. self was conclusive answer to any sugges- tIon that the pension legislation had been wasteful, extravagant or unreasonable.
 MT. Hawley spoke in favor of the bill. He eulogized the Grand Army of the Republic as an order that carried out fully the principles of it's motto Fraternity, charity and Joy alty." It was not political organization, having among it's leading men several distin- gulshed Democrats, of whom he mentioned General Slocum. The bill was simply an attempt to give immediate re- lief to class of ex-soldiers whose condition appealed to everyone. It seemed to him that unanimous consent ha 1x-{ ooIo country to their relief. He believed the bill to be practicable and sensible and patriotic. He quoted General Grant as saying the very last time he was at the Capitol: 'FIf I were to be president again would sign any reasona, ble bill to prevent the sufferings of a soldier or his family, no matter what they arise from; and would not sign bill to give 8 dollar to any able-bodied man." He (Haw- ley) stood upon that. He would vote against any and every amendment to the bill, beliey- ing that as it came from the committee it was simple straightforward measure of i'm mediate relief to real sufferers.
 MT. Dawes stated the difficulties which he felt at voting (at the desire of the committee on pensions) against amendments he favored He could not do so. He would therefore support MT. Wilson's amendment.
 The question was taken and Mr. Wilson's amendment was rejected, yeas 13. nays 43, as follows:
 Yeas-7AAllison, Bowen, Chace, cullom, Dawes, Teller, Wilson of Iowa-13. Nays---Aldrich, Bate, Berry, Blackburn, Blair, cocE cof pan pass E1sh Fer well, George, Gibhon, German, Gray, Hampton, Feson RMaa Msndsoh IoPs Sf som, Reagan Salisbury, Sawyer, Spooner, Stewart, Maryland-4.
 The bill was then reported back from the committee of the whole and the amendments therein agreed to were voted on. The first vote was on the amendment offered by MT. Call to make the bill apply to those who served in the war with Mexico or for thirty days in any of the wars with Indian tribes. The amendment was rejected; yeas 21. nays 37.
 The next vote was on MT. Piumb's amend ment striking out the word ''totally" before the word s'Incapacitated.n MT. Davis Gin charge of the billJ argued against the amend ment and in favor of restoring the word sstotally."
 MT. Platt said while he would gladly fol- low the advice of the committee he could not surrender his independent judgment in the matter. They were told, he said, that the bill had to run the gauntlet" and, there fore, they were to take the bill as reported by the committee. As in the days of Indian atrocities, captives were occasionally given the chance of life by running the gauntlet through row of savages with war clubs, scalping knives and tomahawks, so this bill had to be smitten, thrust at if it did net con- firm to that which had been laid down out side of the Senate as the limits of the bill.
 MT. Teller argued in favor of the amend ment and protested against coercion of sena- tors by threats of vote. He would vote on his judgment independent of such considera- tions
 Mir Blair declared himself perfectly willing hor 11pJa.cEooI <bu+ ha ly as to submit to coercion in voting for something tangible and practical for the re- lief of ex soldiers. He was not worried about his record on pension legislation.
 MT. Davis complained of the treatment of the bill by it's friends. It had been haWked at and rent to pieces by amendments which had in them the elements of destruction. The committee has not framed the bill, had not it. The bill had come to the con- mittee under the guise of right of petition from one-half the survivors of the war. They had asked for what they thought they could get. They had known they were entitled to more than the present state of political senti ment and of political ascendancy would give them. With the history of failure behind them they had thought they would ask for but little of what they felt was their due. Why should gentlemen insist on giving the petitioners more than they asked?
 MT. Platt said if all which the Senate heard was true the prediction of Roger Sher- man that legislation would have to be shap- ed to meet the wishes of one man had come true. An allusion which had been made to Roman history reminded him of the ques- tion: "When could it even be said until now that the wide walls of Rome contained but one manH And so, when the Senate was told that any other legislation than that re- ported would fail, he said he, at least, was not to be influenced by such consideration.
 MT. Beck expressed his regret that the chairman of the committee on pensions should have stated that the bill had been framed not by the committee, but by the Grand Army of the Republic. Congress should consider respectful petitions, but should use it's own judgment as between the petitioners and the country at large.
 MT. Davis said the pensions committee had considered the bill carefully and had struck out several clauses.
 After further discussion the vote was taken on MT. Plumb's amendment (striking out the word 'ttotally') and it was rejected; yeas IA, nays Az.
 The bill was then passed-yeas A, nays 16 .as follows
 Yeas-Aldrich, Allisons Blair Blodgett, Bowen. Dawes, Dolph, Farwell, Faulkner, Frye George, Ingalls, Kenna, McPherson, Manderson, Mitchell, Paddock, Palmer, Payne, Platt, Pugh, Riddeberger, Tailer nrne Voorhees, Wathai Wilson of foSa
  -44.
 Nays-Bate, Beck Berry, Blackburn Ceckrell, Coke Colquitt, Daniel. Eustis, Gibson AHarris Pas co, Reagan. Salisbury, Vance, Wilson of Maryland -16. The pairs announced were Evarts and Nor gan, Ednlunds and Jones of Arkansas, F abin and Call, Ransom and Jones of Nevada, Vest and Plumb.
 MT Blair introduced his bill of former ses- sions to grant pensions to all soldiers and sailors who served three months in the army during the war of the rebellion; referred to committee on pensions.
 MT. Cockrell, from the select committee appointed last session to inquire into the methods and business of the executive depart ments, presented report which was ordered printed and two bills which were placed on the calendar-one to continue the work of making classified abridgement of letters and the other to provide for the deposition of needless papers in the executive depart ments. On his motion the committee was continued.
 MT. Blair, from the committee on educa- tion and labor, reported bill applying the eight hour law to letter carriers.
 The Senate at 5:30 adjourned till Monday.
 HoUsE.-Mr. Tillman, of South Carolina, asked unanimous consent for the immediate consideration of bill appropriating $10,000 for the purchase of certain swords belonging to the widow of General James Shields.