St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-10-26
MRS. LINCOLN's PENSION.

The Tribune has stated that J.. NJ
WILSON, when in congress in 1870,
voted against the bill granting pen
sion to Mrs. LINCOLN. 1t did not. how
ever. state the circumstances of the
case. There was much opposition to
the bill, and it was by no means OF a
political character. When it was voted
upon in the house, Hon. G. c. WASH
BURN, of Wisconsin. and MI. CoNGER,
of Michigan. nOw senator from that
state, and COBB Of Wisconsin. Co
BtRN of Indiana, LAWRENCE of Ohio,
Judge LoUBEIDGE of Iowa. Gen.
PAYNE. of Wisconsin, and other Re
publicanS voted with Mr.. WILSON
against the bill. The vote in the house
was So in favor. &C against. and 75 not
voting. Prior t. the introduction of
this bill a similar one had been intro
duccd in the senate, which was Senate
File No. 10, and on May 4, 1870. Senator
EDMCNDS. as chairman of the commit
tee on pensions, reported adversely to
it. When the house bill came to the
senate it was opposed by Republicans,
and was passed by vote of IS in favor
and 20 against. and q not voting OF
the 20 opposing it. Q were Republicans.
among whom were Senators CONKLING,
MORRILL, and Upton, the two latter
making speeches against the passage of
the bill. Senator MORRILL, said. speak
ing OF Mrs. LINCOLN:
She las abundant store. and far above the
average possessed by the widows of this
country. Amy one who knows the character
of this lady KNOWS that she does not spend
her money for nothing. and that if she has
ever been placed in possession of an ample
fortune she has got it to-day. The evidence
is conclusive on this point The committee
on pensions give all the facts. Five years
ago this lady was iii possession of an ample
fortune. There i no pretense that il has
been wasted or in any manner squandcred.
Not more than the annual income. il is falT 10
presume. has been expended. | am opposed
10 this bill. in the first place, because want
that the widow of President Lincoln should
return home ana educate that brilliant boy OF
hers III the shadow If the roof where he was
born. Would ii moi be more creditable to her
and to us that she should return and educate
that boy at home. under American free inSli-
tutionS. Why should we encourage lady of
even her high character and position TO 80
abroad: Why should we make an exception
and give this lady enough 10 go abroad and
srend year upon year at European watering
laces: am not in favor of it.
Senator TIPToN said:
This case was brought to their attention a
year or two ago distinctly, when tie present
applicant undertook to draw upon the SYM
pathies of this nation by offering for safe in
The city of New York apparel to the amount
of SIG, 0t0. according TO the invoice. Then
the people of Springfield, then the people of
Chicago. then the reople of the state of Ill-
nois then the people of the United States
were appealed 10 everywhere by newspa-
pers. by circulars, by all appliances that it
was supposed would have weight at such
time IS that; but the whole country stood
back and gave no answer whatever. Their
silence meant this: There is no necessity
for contribution i'll that directions; and GER
tainly 10 man can put any other construction
upon it. l am not willing, therefore. by any
means TO recomm and action here that Will
imply that there has been wantOn indiffer-
enee on the part OF my cOuntrymen i'll this
direction-so benevolent. so mun;ficent i'll
their gifts wherever they have felt that there
was n necessity.
Mrs. LINCOLN, at the time this pen
sion bill was under consideration, was
absent in Europe. and had been for
long time. She had acted in manner
which had led many to believe that her
mind was to same extent affected, and
Mr.. WILSON, in voting against the bill,
did only what number of the best and
most conscientious leaders Of the Re-
publican party did.